Screening Thoughts

I watched the screening on Monday night for Hillsong: Let Hope Rise. Here are some thoughts:

-The movie looks and sounds beautiful, you can tell that this isn't a cheaply made rockumentary.

-At times it's difficult to tell what the main idea of the movie is: Is this a historical telling of the rise of Hillsong United? An expose showcasing their humility and "we're just people"-ness in light of their massive success? An outreach tool spreading the gospel? A documentary of the creative process for a follow up album to one of the most successful albums of a genre ever? Or a concert movie?

-Regardless of the faults of the bullet above (if you consider them faults) the movie was highly entertaining.

-The parts of the movie going over United's creative process were the most intriguing, especially if you sing their songs in church on a regular basis.

-There are some special parts of the movie that were very emotional (I won't spoil what) and had me in tears.

-People in my screening were singing along during the concert portions, and the words were on the screen like a worship service, which I thought was a good idea

Overall, the movie felt like it had a plot - origin, success, follow up, as it drove towards the band doing a concert in LA- however it feels anti-climactic once you understand that the concert portions sprinkled in through the movie are from the concert that the movie is driving towards as the "final thing". As far as the subject matter is concerned- the band Hillsong United, overall the movie made me appreciate their writing and musicality more, and inspired me to listen to the album they're creating in the movie, "Empires" with more intention rather than as just another album to find praise music for the band to lead each Sunday.

I'm glad to see that it's finally being released but my stomach turned when I learned it was Pure Flix who distributed it, if you don't know who they are- they created an Anti-Netflix for "family" movies and faith-based movies in order to have something separate for Christians, which is all very ironic because Hillsong United is the opposite of separating from culture, however the Pure Flix company doesn't demean the quality of the film other than a cheesy logo at the credits.