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Machine Gun Preacher
Other // R // June 5, 2012
List Price: $39.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Film:
Machine Gun Preacher probably isn't the film you think it's going to be, no matter if you're gauging it on the schlocky title or the synopsis. At first glance, it looks like we might be working with a purely faith-based story of a downtrodden biker thug reborn into a buttoned-up bible thumper and freedom fighter, relying solely on his reinvigorated belief in God as the impetus -- thus digging into forcefully uplifting tones and whatnot. The story of Sam Childers' struggles in Africa is far less cut-and-dry, though; faith plays a part in his drive, but it's more a device than a moral affront on the audience. His desire to help the children of Uganda goes beyond those means that led him to a place, with gun in hand, where he's a steady, gallant warrior for the helpless. Unfortunately, Marc Forster's filmmaking isn't as persuasive as the true-to-life tale itself, but the energy created by the motion in Childers' tale -- one of violence, rock-bottom turmoil, frustration, and ultimately strained determination -- creates enough magnetism as raw drama to make us want to learn more anyway.
Gerard Butler plays Childers, a drug-dealing motorcycle heavy recently let out of jail, who returns to his rhythm of dealing, using, and robbing after a few chats with his wife, Lynn (an always-fantastic Michelle Monaghan), about her new line of work. After an unfortunate life-changing event during one of his late-night sprees, Sam decides to leave that side of his life behind him and rekindle his relationship with the church. As time passes, and his life changes, he's given the opportunity to travel to Uganda on a construction/missionary trip. What he sees there changes his outlook on, well, just about everything: the violence wreaked by the Lord's Resistance Army leaves children without homes and constantly fighting for their safety, leading Childers into a battle that would fuel the rest of his life. And eventually, that battle does force him to pick up a gun or two again, as well as make a few decisions that cause him to question his faith, his loyalty to his family, and whether what he's doing is futile.
There are two points to Machine Gun Preacher: experience Sam's metamorphosis from a futureless brute to a driven faith-oriented family man with a broad-scoped purpose, as well as to experience the events that shape him into that man he becomes. Gerard Butler carries the weight of Childers' shift with punchy gusto, yet his performance isn't as emotionally involving as one pivoting on evolving beliefs and life outlook should be. He's loud and blunt in his shotgun-wielding, drug-injecting days, which Butler's scruffy sneers and coarse vocals nail down, allowing the calmness and vigor he expresses as he grows into a preacher and an Africa defender to evolve with his persona. Despite his dedication and the gravelly magnetism
he brings to Childers, the moments where it matters -- when he realizes his life has flown off the rails, when he discovers a new form of adulation in the church, and when he snaps under the pressure in Africa -- his steady-handed delivery can't achieve the humanistic dramatic punch required to elevate the material, instead merely lugging the hefty material on his back.
No avoiding it: Machine Gun Preacher features the deaths of innocent children, often in violent ways, mixed with the components of belief in a higher power and how it offers newfound strength. So, we're working with a faith-based film that earns its R-rating, a tricky endeavor. Marc Forster knows how this could appear, though, and tailors the film towards a fairly restrained portrayal, in a way that doesn't preach or bludgeon with overwrought emotion. His provocation remains subtle at first, revealing a dramatic intimacy and intensity that shares bits of the same DNA as his work on Monster's Ball, maneuvering around the topic in a way that's aware of its proximity to the hammy and blunt-force side of things. This isn't religious propaganda; in fact, Childers' faith primarily exists as a storytelling device, one that opens opportunities and gives the man a foundation, and once he does get in front of his fellowship and spreads the word, he's talking to them without necessarily talking to us. That's a hefty compliment, which allows for earnest emotion to be found in small scenes after that, like where Childers plays soccer with the African orphans.
As the violence escalates and the disturbing conflict of Uganda's child soldiers comes into focus, however, the content unavoidably grows more persuasive, and Forster's atypically mundane, cliché direction -- coupled with erratic action scenes not unlike those of Quantum of Solace -- doesn't do justice to the captivating account of sacrifice that rests in the heart of Childers' story. Scenes involving piles of dead bodies, abandoned orphans, and a quiet boy in the corner with a dark secret might have all really happened, yet they're given a non-dynamic, purpose-driven demeanor here that depreciates their natural power. When Forster has something tangible in his grasp, whether it's on Africa's soil or when Sam deals with frustration in his stateside life, opportunities slip through his fingers to genuinely get the point across, instead allowing the truth behind the story to serve as an anchor for the scenes instead of focused filmmaking. Machine Gun Preacher makes you want to know more about Sam, but only because it's clear that there's more to the story than what's given amidst this strained topical docu-drama.
The Blu-ray:
Video and Audio:
Forster's go to cinematographer Roberto Schaefer shot Machine Gun Preacher with a gritty aesthetic in mind, using a combo of 16mm and 35mm film types, which this 2.35:1 1080p AVC encode retains well. The dichotomy and purpose behind using the alternating film stocks will become apparent as the film moves along, and it achieves its desired effect, but you're not likely to get much in the way of a robust high-definition experience here. There's nothing to worry about in terms of contrast and film stock presentation, though; black levels remains steady, don't swallow detail, and either gray or inky black where needed, while the veil of grain remains authentic, if a bit heavy in spots. But there are a few sequences where you'll be slapped with a spry HD shot here and there, namely when Sam gets in front of his church and starts speaking. The dusty palette remains pleasing, yet ample and appropriate where needed in the African locales, while close-ups frame facial textures and shadows with a concise eye.
Surprisingly, there's a lot going on in the 5-channel DTS-HD Master Audio treatment, and we're given an ample, forceful track to accentuate those elements. Scenes as simple as those involving Sam/Gerard preaching to his congregation preserve a fine spatial awareness across the sound design, with little to no distortion when his yells become vigorous. The screeching of tires, the rustling of rocks, and the crashing of beer bottles offer ambient elements that create a fine design, all satisfyingly clear without much to really hat-tip to. There are problems with subtle dialogue clarity, however; a few scenes involving soft-spoken African dialogue are extremely hard to hear, and it's mostly because of the balance in the actual soundtrack. But, to counterbalance that, the action during the African defense sequences -- when Sam goes the way of Rambo a bit -- the billowing fire and gunshots remain clear and full of punch. Spanish and English SDH subtitles accompany the release.
Special Features:
Machine Gun Preacher: A Discussion with Marc Forster (18:36, HD):
In the first minute of this quasi-interview, you realize it's going to be a quality piece. Within that space, Forster mentions both the fact that he needed to distance himself from James Bond and the fact that he wanted to research, and meet, Childers after reading the script. The discussion only blossoms from there; you'll see a few clips from the film here and there that eat up time in the piece, sure, but Forster's focus remains insightful, enlightening us on his perspective, his casting choice for Butler, and how Sam Childers factored into the production. At under twenty minutes, it's worth the time.
Making the Music for Machine Gun Preacher (14:00, HD):
Is this discussion a little generic? Pehaps. The music folks talk about the power of instrument selection and capturing the attitude for specific moments of Forster's film, yet they also tackle an earnest exploration of those elements: how they make the viewer uneasy around Sam's presence at first, incorporating more elements into the score as Sam himself branches out as a person, and where they derived inspiration. And once I was about halfway through the piece, when they started really exploring the African elements of the music, my appreciation escalated a few notches. You get to see plenty of studio time with the musicians, coupled with interviews that describe what's going on in a way that's both insightful for non-music folks and enjoyable for those who already know the ropes of what they're doing. It's very good stuff.
Other than that, we've got The Keeper Music Video by Chris Cornell (3:46, HD), and a high-definition Theatrical Trailer (2:28, HD). We've also got a few Speak Peeks. This Blu-ray package also comes with a DVD copy of the film on Disc Two, as well as a Digital Copy presentation on Disc Three.
Final Thoughts:
It's hard not to be fascinated with Sam Childers' story; the transformation of man from a drug-using biker to a dedicated, empathetic warrior-preacher who fights for Africa's defenseless children earns one's interest, no matter if you're religious or merely someone concerned with human indecency and societal issues. Machine Gun Preacher clearly appreciates the story, and the man behind it, but the perspective that Marc Forster gives to this representation lacks the cinematic flair to be completely compelling on its own terms. Emotions run high, violent images come into our vision, and Gerard Butler offers glimpses into the psyche of a man transformed by the constant fight for Uganda's children, yet it seems as if the truth of Childers' story keeps the scenes moving instead of cinematic momentum -- leaving scene after scene feeling like picaresque visual companions instead of harnessing a clear perspective of the overarching story. Forster's capable of more, but he delivers a watchable quasi-docudrama here. Fox's Blu-ray looks and sounds decent enough, with about a half hour of featurettes worth watching, making this film, one with questionable re-watch value whether you enjoyed it or not, a suitable Rental.
Thomas Spurlin, Staff Reviewer -- DVDTalk Reviews | Personal Blog/Site
Machine Gun Preacher probably isn't the film you think it's going to be, no matter if you're gauging it on the schlocky title or the synopsis. At first glance, it looks like we might be working with a purely faith-based story of a downtrodden biker thug reborn into a buttoned-up bible thumper and freedom fighter, relying solely on his reinvigorated belief in God as the impetus -- thus digging into forcefully uplifting tones and whatnot. The story of Sam Childers' struggles in Africa is far less cut-and-dry, though; faith plays a part in his drive, but it's more a device than a moral affront on the audience. His desire to help the children of Uganda goes beyond those means that led him to a place, with gun in hand, where he's a steady, gallant warrior for the helpless. Unfortunately, Marc Forster's filmmaking isn't as persuasive as the true-to-life tale itself, but the energy created by the motion in Childers' tale -- one of violence, rock-bottom turmoil, frustration, and ultimately strained determination -- creates enough magnetism as raw drama to make us want to learn more anyway. Gerard Butler plays Childers, a drug-dealing motorcycle heavy recently let out of jail, who returns to his rhythm of dealing, using, and robbing after a few chats with his wife, Lynn (an always-fantastic Michelle Monaghan), about her new line of work. After an unfortunate life-changing event during one of his late-night sprees, Sam decides to leave that side of his life behind him and rekindle his relationship with the church. As time passes, and his life changes, he's given the opportunity to travel to Uganda on a construction/missionary trip. What he sees there changes his outlook on, well, just about everything: the violence wreaked by the Lord's Resistance Army leaves children without homes and constantly fighting for their safety, leading Childers into a battle that would fuel the rest of his life. And eventually, that battle does force him to pick up a gun or two again, as well as make a few decisions that cause him to question his faith, his loyalty to his family, and whether what he's doing is futile.
There are two points to Machine Gun Preacher: experience Sam's metamorphosis from a futureless brute to a driven faith-oriented family man with a broad-scoped purpose, as well as to experience the events that shape him into that man he becomes. Gerard Butler carries the weight of Childers' shift with punchy gusto, yet his performance isn't as emotionally involving as one pivoting on evolving beliefs and life outlook should be. He's loud and blunt in his shotgun-wielding, drug-injecting days, which Butler's scruffy sneers and coarse vocals nail down, allowing the calmness and vigor he expresses as he grows into a preacher and an Africa defender to evolve with his persona. Despite his dedication and the gravelly magnetism
he brings to Childers, the moments where it matters -- when he realizes his life has flown off the rails, when he discovers a new form of adulation in the church, and when he snaps under the pressure in Africa -- his steady-handed delivery can't achieve the humanistic dramatic punch required to elevate the material, instead merely lugging the hefty material on his back. No avoiding it: Machine Gun Preacher features the deaths of innocent children, often in violent ways, mixed with the components of belief in a higher power and how it offers newfound strength. So, we're working with a faith-based film that earns its R-rating, a tricky endeavor. Marc Forster knows how this could appear, though, and tailors the film towards a fairly restrained portrayal, in a way that doesn't preach or bludgeon with overwrought emotion. His provocation remains subtle at first, revealing a dramatic intimacy and intensity that shares bits of the same DNA as his work on Monster's Ball, maneuvering around the topic in a way that's aware of its proximity to the hammy and blunt-force side of things. This isn't religious propaganda; in fact, Childers' faith primarily exists as a storytelling device, one that opens opportunities and gives the man a foundation, and once he does get in front of his fellowship and spreads the word, he's talking to them without necessarily talking to us. That's a hefty compliment, which allows for earnest emotion to be found in small scenes after that, like where Childers plays soccer with the African orphans.
As the violence escalates and the disturbing conflict of Uganda's child soldiers comes into focus, however, the content unavoidably grows more persuasive, and Forster's atypically mundane, cliché direction -- coupled with erratic action scenes not unlike those of Quantum of Solace -- doesn't do justice to the captivating account of sacrifice that rests in the heart of Childers' story. Scenes involving piles of dead bodies, abandoned orphans, and a quiet boy in the corner with a dark secret might have all really happened, yet they're given a non-dynamic, purpose-driven demeanor here that depreciates their natural power. When Forster has something tangible in his grasp, whether it's on Africa's soil or when Sam deals with frustration in his stateside life, opportunities slip through his fingers to genuinely get the point across, instead allowing the truth behind the story to serve as an anchor for the scenes instead of focused filmmaking. Machine Gun Preacher makes you want to know more about Sam, but only because it's clear that there's more to the story than what's given amidst this strained topical docu-drama.
The Blu-ray:
 |  |
Video and Audio:
Forster's go to cinematographer Roberto Schaefer shot Machine Gun Preacher with a gritty aesthetic in mind, using a combo of 16mm and 35mm film types, which this 2.35:1 1080p AVC encode retains well. The dichotomy and purpose behind using the alternating film stocks will become apparent as the film moves along, and it achieves its desired effect, but you're not likely to get much in the way of a robust high-definition experience here. There's nothing to worry about in terms of contrast and film stock presentation, though; black levels remains steady, don't swallow detail, and either gray or inky black where needed, while the veil of grain remains authentic, if a bit heavy in spots. But there are a few sequences where you'll be slapped with a spry HD shot here and there, namely when Sam gets in front of his church and starts speaking. The dusty palette remains pleasing, yet ample and appropriate where needed in the African locales, while close-ups frame facial textures and shadows with a concise eye.
Surprisingly, there's a lot going on in the 5-channel DTS-HD Master Audio treatment, and we're given an ample, forceful track to accentuate those elements. Scenes as simple as those involving Sam/Gerard preaching to his congregation preserve a fine spatial awareness across the sound design, with little to no distortion when his yells become vigorous. The screeching of tires, the rustling of rocks, and the crashing of beer bottles offer ambient elements that create a fine design, all satisfyingly clear without much to really hat-tip to. There are problems with subtle dialogue clarity, however; a few scenes involving soft-spoken African dialogue are extremely hard to hear, and it's mostly because of the balance in the actual soundtrack. But, to counterbalance that, the action during the African defense sequences -- when Sam goes the way of Rambo a bit -- the billowing fire and gunshots remain clear and full of punch. Spanish and English SDH subtitles accompany the release.
Special Features:
Machine Gun Preacher: A Discussion with Marc Forster (18:36, HD): In the first minute of this quasi-interview, you realize it's going to be a quality piece. Within that space, Forster mentions both the fact that he needed to distance himself from James Bond and the fact that he wanted to research, and meet, Childers after reading the script. The discussion only blossoms from there; you'll see a few clips from the film here and there that eat up time in the piece, sure, but Forster's focus remains insightful, enlightening us on his perspective, his casting choice for Butler, and how Sam Childers factored into the production. At under twenty minutes, it's worth the time.
Making the Music for Machine Gun Preacher (14:00, HD):
Is this discussion a little generic? Pehaps. The music folks talk about the power of instrument selection and capturing the attitude for specific moments of Forster's film, yet they also tackle an earnest exploration of those elements: how they make the viewer uneasy around Sam's presence at first, incorporating more elements into the score as Sam himself branches out as a person, and where they derived inspiration. And once I was about halfway through the piece, when they started really exploring the African elements of the music, my appreciation escalated a few notches. You get to see plenty of studio time with the musicians, coupled with interviews that describe what's going on in a way that's both insightful for non-music folks and enjoyable for those who already know the ropes of what they're doing. It's very good stuff.
Other than that, we've got The Keeper Music Video by Chris Cornell (3:46, HD), and a high-definition Theatrical Trailer (2:28, HD). We've also got a few Speak Peeks. This Blu-ray package also comes with a DVD copy of the film on Disc Two, as well as a Digital Copy presentation on Disc Three.
Final Thoughts:
It's hard not to be fascinated with Sam Childers' story; the transformation of man from a drug-using biker to a dedicated, empathetic warrior-preacher who fights for Africa's defenseless children earns one's interest, no matter if you're religious or merely someone concerned with human indecency and societal issues. Machine Gun Preacher clearly appreciates the story, and the man behind it, but the perspective that Marc Forster gives to this representation lacks the cinematic flair to be completely compelling on its own terms. Emotions run high, violent images come into our vision, and Gerard Butler offers glimpses into the psyche of a man transformed by the constant fight for Uganda's children, yet it seems as if the truth of Childers' story keeps the scenes moving instead of cinematic momentum -- leaving scene after scene feeling like picaresque visual companions instead of harnessing a clear perspective of the overarching story. Forster's capable of more, but he delivers a watchable quasi-docudrama here. Fox's Blu-ray looks and sounds decent enough, with about a half hour of featurettes worth watching, making this film, one with questionable re-watch value whether you enjoyed it or not, a suitable Rental.
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