What I'll say for Machine Gun Preacher is that it turned out to be more compelling than I was led to believe. In fact, there were points in this film where I felt it could have been a major awards contender. The potential was there, but unfortunately, the execution of this story about Sam Childers (a biker who became a freedom fighter in Sudan) has a few too many faults.
Even with a substantial running length of two hours and a bit, it feels like director Marc Forster is trying to tell more story than can be comfortably fitted into that body of time. The editing is rather hectic throughout, and the plotting feels rushed (especially in the first half). It leaves Machine Gun Preacher with too many story and character contrivances. For example; the speed at which Childers evolves from a disgruntled punk to a good Christian is almost unrealistic.
I thought that Gerard Butler had a fairly epic screen presence. While this is arguably is strongest performance yet, I'm not quite sure that he was the best choice for this particular role. Sam Childers, as depicted by Butler, comes across as more of a well rounded action hero than a well rounded human being. I think part of the problem is that Butler tries a little too hard. He has too much adrenaline in him.
If there is any reason to see Machine Gun Preacher, it would be to see Gerard Butler step up his game (even if he's still got much to learn). He is able to bring some drive to this drama. Machine Gun Preacher a film with noble intentions, and while it is usually engaging, it never feels deep enough to reach its full potential.
Even with a substantial running length of two hours and a bit, it feels like director Marc Forster is trying to tell more story than can be comfortably fitted into that body of time. The editing is rather hectic throughout, and the plotting feels rushed (especially in the first half). It leaves Machine Gun Preacher with too many story and character contrivances. For example; the speed at which Childers evolves from a disgruntled punk to a good Christian is almost unrealistic.
I thought that Gerard Butler had a fairly epic screen presence. While this is arguably is strongest performance yet, I'm not quite sure that he was the best choice for this particular role. Sam Childers, as depicted by Butler, comes across as more of a well rounded action hero than a well rounded human being. I think part of the problem is that Butler tries a little too hard. He has too much adrenaline in him.
If there is any reason to see Machine Gun Preacher, it would be to see Gerard Butler step up his game (even if he's still got much to learn). He is able to bring some drive to this drama. Machine Gun Preacher a film with noble intentions, and while it is usually engaging, it never feels deep enough to reach its full potential.