These days, there are three kinds of Christian-faith films. The first kind are the unbearably preachy, horrendously narrowminded, poorly made ones that give faith-based films a toxic name. The second kind are the mediocre cheesy films that, while not bad per se, are forgettable experiences. The third and rarest kind of Christian films aim to be well-made films as much as they want to be faith-based. Paul, Apostle of Christ is of the latter kind.
Paul is well-directed, contains impressive cinematography, lighting, and camerawork, is well-acted (specifically from its lead actors James Faulkner and Jim Caviezel) and has solid characterization. Most importantly, I enjoy watching the film—I like the characters, the story is engaging, and it gets its point across without resorting to melodramatics and non-Christian caricatures. Paul’s effective storytelling and likable characters allows the film to preach the good word without feeling preachy. A Christian can watch Paul, Apostle of Christ and enjoy its faith-based messages, yet a non-Christian can also enjoy the film on merits outside of faith—a rarely found yet much-appreciated aspect in such genre.
Peter Rabbit:
Peter Rabbit is the anti-Paddington. It takes a classic British children’s book series and turns it into a modern family film. Only unlike Paddington’s adaptation, Peter Rabbit’s is disorganized, littered with pop music, lacks genuineness, and isn’t very funny. The film half-heartedly goes along with the motions of a good family film while never becoming one.
Peter Rabbit’s best aspect is that it’s just self-aware enough of lacking heart to get a few good jabs in at its expense. For example, the narrator believes the film’s climax is so predictable that they need only show a highlights reel—resulting in short clips of the film’s characters partaking in a series of increasingly far-fetched activities. These shining moments, however, are not enough to make Peter Rabbit good, and it is better worth your time and effort to go watch Paddington and its delightful sequel over such. Nonetheless, Peter Rabbit is ultimately harmless and I’m positive children will find it entertaining (namely because I heard children express their enjoyment while leaving the theater).