Jesus Revolution (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: April 25, 2023
Rating: PG-13
Film:  4/5

Plot
In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) is searching for all the right things in all the wrong places: until he meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie street preacher. Together with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), they open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival of radical and newfound love, leading to what TIME magazine dubbed a “Jesus Revolution."


My Thoughts
With a score of 59% on Rottentomatoes.com, one would think this film was a middling affair, but that review rating only tells half of the story. Audiences gave is 99% with over 5000 ratings. I personally went to Catholic school my first four years of grammar school, but I wouldn’t’ call myself a religious person. The last time I went to church was for a funeral a number of years ago. I believe there’s a God but I don’t need to tithe to a church every week to move to the front of the line in order to get into heaven. If that’s what it takes, I’m pretty much screwed.

That being said, I really enjoyed this film. It definitely has a religious bent to it given the subject matter, but I wouldn’t say it was overtly preachy. Much like today, the country was very divided in the late 1960s and the youth in the country were rebellious, lost, and confused. I found the screenplay to be very interesting and well-acted and directed and at times moved both my wife and I to tears. I don’t want to give too much of the story away, but it’s based on true events and the impact the true story had at the time was revolutionary and its impact can still be seen today with Calvary churches spread throughout the USA.

The overall presentation is somewhat a mixed bag. The cinematography does a good job of capturing the look of the late 1960s, but it doesn’t translate very well to the big screen. Colors are somewhat flat and muted and I found the black levels to be slightly elevated. Well-lit exterior scenes look the best and this is where the video quality shines. I was impressed with the Dolby Atmos track though in its use of the overhead and rear speakers. The mix is very enveloping, dialog is crystal clear, and even the LFE makes its presence known as one of the main characters goes on an acid trip.

Video 4/5 (AVC)
Audio 4.5/5 (Dolby Atmos)

Special Features:
·        Audio Commentary
·        When God has a Plan: Making Jesus Revolution
·        The Heat of the Film
·        Inspired by a Ture Movement
·        Behind the Scenes of “Living Water” with Anne Wilson
·        Faces of the Jesus Revolution
·        Deleted Scenes
·        Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy




Conclusion
While I wouldn’t call myself a fan of religious films, I have no issue watching them. I like their generally upbeat message and in this case, it tells a true story from over 50 years ago that had quite a historical impact for the lost youth of the 1960s. My wife and I both enjoyed the screenplay a lot and plan to rewatch it again with some friends of our who are very religious because I’m sure they will end up loving it. Highly recommended. 


Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Kaleidescape Strato + Server
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
SVS SB3000
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[SRW1000]

I want to thank you for this review, David.  Without it, I wouldn't have given the movie a thought, but my wife and I both liked it.

I also tend to avoid these movies, not due to any issues with the themes, but either how ham-fisted the messaging is (a fault shared by many secular movies), how poor the acting is, inferior production values, or some combination of all that make them a chore to sit through.  Those problems don't pop up in this film.

While there definitely is a message, it's a compelling story combined with interesting character studies that holds the audience's attention without making them feel like they're being hit over the head with ineffectual proselytizing.  There are some really fine performances here.  Jonathan Roumie steals the movie with his magnetic presence, but even his character has flaws that we see develop as things play out.

Thematically, one can't help but see the parallels between the time period of the film and today, which played a part in the reasons the film was made.  I have to wonder though about the very premise of the article and the movie.  If it was indeed a revolution, what happened to lead us to our current state?  This is something that I wish might have been discussed in the extras.  While there are some good interviews, they all seem to be cut from the same content, and parts are unfortunately repetitive.

On a technical note, it's amazing that a film like this gets a home Atmos treatment, but a movie like Devotion only gets a 5.1 release, even on the 4K disc.  The overall sound was good, especially the music, but the dialog at the beginning of the movie where Greg and Cathe first meet sounded off and slightly garbled.  This was the only scene that sounded that way, though.

Good recommendation, and we were glad that we watched it.

Out of curiosity, did you end up rewatching this with your friends?  If so, what was their reaction?

Scott

[David Vaughn]

I want to thank you for this review, David.  Without it, I wouldn't have given the movie a thought, but my wife and I both liked it.

I also tend to avoid these movies, not due to any issues with the themes, but either how ham-fisted the messaging is (a fault shared by many secular movies), how poor the acting is, inferior production values, or some combination of all that make them a chore to sit through.  Those problems don't pop up in this film.

While there definitely is a message, it's a compelling story combined with interesting character studies that holds the audience's attention without making them feel like they're being hit over the head with ineffectual proselytizing.  There are some really fine performances here.  Jonathan Roumie steals the movie with his magnetic presence, but even his character has flaws that we see develop as things play out.

Thematically, one can't help but see the parallels between the time period of the film and today, which played a part in the reasons the film was made.  I have to wonder though about the very premise of the article and the movie.  If it was indeed a revolution, what happened to lead us to our current state?  This is something that I wish might have been discussed in the extras.  While there are some good interviews, they all seem to be cut from the same content, and parts are unfortunately repetitive.

On a technical note, it's amazing that a film like this gets a home Atmos treatment, but a movie like Devotion only gets a 5.1 release, even on the 4K disc.  The overall sound was good, especially the music, but the dialog at the beginning of the movie where Greg and Cathe first meet sounded off and slightly garbled.  This was the only scene that sounded that way, though.

Good recommendation, and we were glad that we watched it.

Out of curiosity, did you end up rewatching this with your friends?  If so, what was their reaction?

Scott

They ended up watching it without us when they were at their vacation home and really liked it a lot as well. Glad you enjoyed it.