Movie Review
I count it a great privilege that bloggers are asked to review movies and books. It gives me an opportunity to preview things before the general public, and in many cases, I probably wouldn’t spend the money, so it allows me to enjoy something I otherwise wouldn’t enjoy. Stay with me for my review and my giveaway in this post.
The Pilgrim’s Progress movie is a film adaptation of the great work by John Bunyan of the same name. I learned a long time ago that movies are never as good as the book…and this movie follows the same rule. Seriously, how can you make a movie based on the second best selling book of all time and the book that Christians for centuries have found a splendid work? With that in mind:
1. The movie was enjoyable
On its own, the movie was enjoyable. Like all movies, a lot of details from the book are missing, and there is only the use of dialog to tell the story. I thought the makers of the movie did a good job of including as much of Christian’s story as they could while keeping the movie from being extraordinarily long. The colors and graphics were pleasing enough for me, as well. I am not a harsh critic in those regards though. I did appreciate the filmmakers’ attempts to show some diversity in the characters (white guy, black guy, etc).
2. It wasn’t the book tho
If all I did was see this movie, I probably would have found it really amazing. I would have been excited about the scriptural truth and relevance of the message ‘preached.’ I would have been shocked to hear it was from an “old book.” But having read the book and knowing the story, I can say that this movie can be disappointing. This book is so rich with meaning and truth, even so much of God’s Word that it’s like a sermon. The movie comes across as less than serious at times through the dialogue and the characters. And the animation makes even the more wicked characters appear more cartoony, rather than scary. And then there are other parts that are almost unnecessarily frightening with ghastly characters meant to look ugly and scary. It’s a movie I wouldn’t show my young sons because of that.
3. Overall Rating
Overall I’d give it about a 7 out of 10. I am probably closer to being an iconoclast than most, so I was really annoyed by the terrible depiction of our Lord near the end. There are so many ways to portray that Jesus is there without breaking the second commandment. Or, if you aren’t as sensitive to that as I am, without making Jesus a cool American surfer guy.
So it was enjoyable and it wasn’t the book and it made a few errors. BUT, I also really loved the stories of redemption, the frequent dialog which spoke of truth and the constant pointing to the King. I cried multiple times because of the emotion that is brought out naturally seeing a story of redemption. The fellowship of the saints, the redemption of sinners, and the wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ are all on display throughout.
Giveaways
The Pilgrim’s Progress illustrated storybook
- For 3 separate giveaway contest winners!
Movie tickets
- To see THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS in theaters on 4/18/19 or 4/20/19.
- 1 pair each for 3 separate giveaway contest winners!
Actions
- Buy tickets NOW (click here)
- Invite a friend
- Bring a group (click here)
- Comment on THIS POST below to enter the two contests. Your comment must include the text of a scripture verse that you cling to when you face hardships in this life.
- All US-based entries will be included in a drawing on or around April 12-13. Bonus, if you entered the last giveaway for the digital storybook, you will also get an additional entry in this giveaway!
Update April 12: The giveaway contest winners have been determined. The winners have been contacted. Thanks, everyone for playing!
Note: Only US-based bloggers and giveaway winners are eligible for the Fandango movie tickets due to Fandango limitations in Canada and outside the US.
Can’t wait to see this version. I wonder how it will compare to the live-action one that I have.
I would like your comment to include the text of a scripture verse that you cling to when you face hardships in this life.
I love Psalm 103 (the whole thing)…but especially when it talks about His character and lovingkindness, and sovereignty. All these things bring hope in the midst of difficulty.
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.
17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.
19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will.
22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul! (Psalms 103:8, NASB)
Jeanine, You have good taste! I really like this psalm too. In fact, I have read it multiple times when preaching in the open air. Thanks for sharing that with us!
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed in You, because he trusts in You” from Isaiah 26. This has been my go-to verse during our NICU journey.
Amen, mi amiga.
I think and meditate on Romans 8:28 frequently; “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Praise God. Providence is always wiser than we are…
This is the one thing I look forward to everyday: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
John 14:3
What a glorious hope, Miri! God bless. Thanks for entering!
All of Psalm 1 brings me a lot of comfort.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord , and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”
Psalm 1:1-6
Yes, sister, that’s a wonderful psalm. Consider it a thesis statement of the Psalms. I suggest folks memorize it. Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway!
For some reason, over the last few years, I have struggled with safety anxiety at night. So it’s become a regular practice of mine to pray through Psalm 4:8: “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone O Lord make me dwell in safety.”
It’s a small hardship, but this verse is a sweet reminder that I can sleep because God never does.
Thanks for sharing, brother. It may be for just that reason (that you might rely on Him more)! Thanks for the comment and entering the giveaway.
Psalm 56:8 “You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” This verse was shared with me during the darkest time in my life. Realizing that every tear I shed was seen & known by my Heavenly Father brought me such comfort..
–I’d also recommend the whole chapter. More Scripture gold!
Thanks, Rebecca!