Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Mike S

  
  None have probably missed by now the "Kony 2012" campaign, that went viral all across the globe a couple of months ago. It made this film particularily interesting, as it's about an ex-conman who travels to Uganda to save some kids from Kony's clutches. Now the… More
  None have probably missed by now the "Kony 2012" campaign, that went viral all across the globe a couple of months ago. It made this film particularily interesting, as it's about an ex-conman who travels to Uganda to save some kids from Kony's clutches. Now the campaign per se may have been met by a lot of criticism (and rightly so, considering the scandal with Jason Russell and how they've spent people's donations), but the mission to bring down Kony and cease his crimes against humanity, is very compelling nevertheless. I just wish they would have left out all the Christian propaganda in this film. It left a bad taste in the mouth, that subtracted from the overall appeal. In a sense though, it also puts the spotlight on the dark side of religion, in the way Kony uses it as an excuse to rape, mutilate, kidnap and murder. But it doesn't really merit the movie's message of finding Jesus as the solution to all of life's many problems. Now, out of respect for my Christian friends, I'm not gonna delve any further into my general views of religion, but let's just say I got the same uncomfortable vibes as with the ending of the movie <i>Knowing</i>, where Nicolas Cage sends the blonde-haired children to Adam & Eve Land, in order to "salvage" the human race. I know <i>Machine Gun Preacher</i> is based on a true story and all, but I would have preferred a far more objective approach. As a drama though, it works just fine, with a riveting story that has some real pathos at its core. One of the things that really saves it, is the sincere and commanding performance by a brilliant Gerard Butler. His frustrations and ambitions, heart and good will, makes it easy to sympathize with his character, even if the movie as a whole could have used a little more meat on its bones. It's just a shame it had to be wrapped in such a self-righteous package. Because it took what could have been a great film and de-evolved it to a solid, albeit instantly forgettable biopic.

• Manu G

  
  Hope is the greatest weapon of all Very good film! Gerard Butler acted really good and the story is not only real but it gets to you and teaches you a lesson. It really makes you think and wonder how can one person have so much willpower and stamina to keep doing what he has been… More
  Hope is the greatest weapon of all Very good film! Gerard Butler acted really good and the story is not only real but it gets to you and teaches you a lesson. It really makes you think and wonder how can one person have so much willpower and stamina to keep doing what he has been doing all these years for these children. I think people should see this movie and be more awake and aware!! Sam Childs is a real-life ex-biker gang member. He decides to turn his life around by heading to East Africa to help repair homes that have been destroyed by civil war. He is affected by the plight of the people, especially the children. Against advice, he begins building an orphanage in militia territory. He also goes on an armed mission to rescue the children who have been kidnapped by the militia - who are being taken and forced to become child soldiers

• Al S

  
  An outstanding movie that packs insanely powerful punch. It`s an inspirational classic of a rebel who found his cause. A genuine human drama that cuts you to the core with its realism and story. An utterly heartbreaking, inspiring and action-packed drama. A riveting, deeply moving and… More
  An outstanding movie that packs insanely powerful punch. It`s an inspirational classic of a rebel who found his cause. A genuine human drama that cuts you to the core with its realism and story. An utterly heartbreaking, inspiring and action-packed drama. A riveting, deeply moving and extreamly powerful movie. Director, Marc Fosters best film since The Kite Runner, he`s a true artist and craftsman. An absolute triumph. An incrediable and unforgettable film that shakes you, shocks you and inspires you. It`s spectacular in every way you can think of and is simply extroadinary. Gerard Butler gives the best performance of his career, an explosive tour de force performance that shines with his movie star calibur. Butler delivers in a massive way thats shows his power, passion, emotion and strength. Michael Shannon and Michelle Monaghan give fine performances. An embracing, compelling and astonishing piece of work. An exhilerating mixture of thrills, explosive action and deeply absorbing drama.

• Everett J

  
  "Machine Gun Preacher" is the true story of Sam Childers(Gerard Butler). An ex biker who is released from prison finds god and decides he needs to act upon his new found faith. He goes to East Africa to help repair homes, and while there he decides to help the children… More
  "Machine Gun Preacher" is the true story of Sam Childers(Gerard Butler). An ex biker who is released from prison finds god and decides he needs to act upon his new found faith. He goes to East Africa to help repair homes, and while there he decides to help the children whose lives have been ruined by an ongoing civil war. He helps build an orphanage, and leads armed missions to save children. It's a very inspiring story, but the movie is pretty uneven. Butler does good, but this probably could have been great with someone else in the lead. There's good action, but the religious aspects of the movie feel forced, and half the time you root for Butler and the other half against him. The way he treats his family really make you want him to stop helping the kids in Africa. It's like they want you to dislike the hero of the movie more than you like him. It just doesn't have a good balance to it. Overall, it's worth a watch, and I'm sure there's people that will like this a lot more than I do. But I probably won't watch this again.

• Scott G

  
  it aims for the heart, but misses by a mile, Gerard seems to be going on a downward spiral.

• Aaron N

  
  Sam: Reckon they can do with all the help they can get. When I first heard the title and saw a poster for Machine Gun Preacher, I certainly got the wrong impression. In the wake of films like Machete and Hobo with a Shotgun, I was definitely caught off guard by the very… More
  Sam: Reckon they can do with all the help they can get. When I first heard the title and saw a poster for Machine Gun Preacher, I certainly got the wrong impression. In the wake of films like Machete and Hobo with a Shotgun, I was definitely caught off guard by the very "grindhouse" nature of the film's title. Machine Gun Preacher is actually a fairly intense biopic that deals with the plight of a man who reforms his ways, after having lived a life as a drug-dealing biker thug, and becomes a crusader of sorts for Sudanese orphans. It is an interesting story that has a few problems with addressing the morality of the situation and being a bit too sentimental; however, star Gerard Butler certainly gives it his all in a commanding performance. read the whole review at thecodeiszeek.com

• Emile T

  
  Marc Forster goes Hollywood all the way with this one as he did with the disappointing The Kite Runner. Once again, here, the emotional depth of the source inspiration is half gone, leaving the place to fast ellipses in the screenplay to cover too much, which make the psychological… More
  Marc Forster goes Hollywood all the way with this one as he did with the disappointing The Kite Runner. Once again, here, the emotional depth of the source inspiration is half gone, leaving the place to fast ellipses in the screenplay to cover too much, which make the psychological changes in the hero look implausible. Forster and Butler still manage to pull off some powerful and beautiful scenes in a whole that is entertaining, but it hardly makes up for what the movie lacks in general.

• Lee K

  
  Why this wasn't one of the nominated best films of 2011 i'll never know. Then again most of the times the Fine people of the Motion Arts and Cinema offices dont seem to know their ass from a hole in the wall! Gerard Butler puts in a powerful performance as Sam Childers an… More
  Why this wasn't one of the nominated best films of 2011 i'll never know. Then again most of the times the Fine people of the Motion Arts and Cinema offices dont seem to know their ass from a hole in the wall! Gerard Butler puts in a powerful performance as Sam Childers an recently released convict who as soon as he is out on parole he is up to no good again until he finds god. In an effort to redeem himself he decides to spend some time in Sudan ,Africa building homes through a christianity group when he learns of the tragedies on small towns inflicted by the LRA led currently by bastard Joseph Kony who incorporates most of his militia by stealing families children in the night..Turning the young females into prostitutes for the adult members of his militia and turning the young boys into armed killers. Sorry folks it is what it is..i cant pretty it up for ya. It's not long before Childers builds a church in the Sudan which covers also as an orphanage as to where the many children that Sam along with the SLRA saved. Remember folks many of these children among being snatched, usually in the middle of the night are forced by Kony's rebels to kill their own parents before they are carted away to do the LRA's bidding. Now much like this film, when i hear that the movie i have watched is based on tru events the thing i love to do the most is investigate the real events online to see yet once again how far Hollyweird stretched the truth.. Not far at all by the sounds of it however have read a rather discouraging piece by Christianity Today that goes on to say that Childers as of 2011 has been neglecting his duties at the orphanage/church leaving the many Sudanese children starving and sick with little and no medical supplies. Something Childers himself denies blamingit on the Sudanese official he had hired to watch over things when he heads home to spend time in the States. I hope what i have read is not true Sam as i fell in love with your story watching this film and feel abit more relived knowing that you are out there maybe preventing yet another brutal attack by this bastard known as Kony. A good film.

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