Gabriel (2007)

Gabriel is a dark action/drama that takes place in the realm of Purgatory. It reveals the struggle between Arc and Fallen angels for control over the city and its population of re-born souls. At present darkness rules and Gabriel the last of seven Arcs sent to return light must assume a human form for the first time. In the darkest places of the human soul this lone arc angel's battle with his human feelings and emotions will prove as perilous as facing the Fallen. Purgatory's dangerous and seedy underworld will reveal the human condition as frail and strong as corruptible and honorable but always undeniably powerful and precious.System Requirements:Run Time: 114 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE/SUPERHEROES Rating: R UPC: 043396227736 Manufacturer No: 22773 Product Description

I was surprised.

This Australian import was touted as low budget, though you won't think that watching it. As a result, it is a more character driven film that lives up to the all the effort and care that went into the production and the story itself.

The cover can be interpreted as a bit cheesy, but don't let it fool you. It's what's in the inside that counts...

Purgatory, the in between land of Heaven and Hell, is the realm where neither God nor Satan can access. To fight for these lost souls, both sides have sent angels to battle. For awhile now, Purgatory has been overtaken by a group of the Fallen Angels. In an attempt to bring light and to destroy those who's will is continue the dark cast over that realm, the source, i.e. God, has sent forth His best soldiers to fight the most powerful Fallen angel of them all, Sammael.

The cost? Fall, and be human. Fall, and not understand at all the human frailty that is man. Die, and die forever. But Gabriel willing goes, despite it all, despite the disturbing fact of his predecessors, and that the strongest on their side, the Arc Michael, have all gone MIA, that they've failed. As Gabriel searches those before him to battle Sammael, he begins release that the experience of being human could be his greatest enemy of all.

There is nothing truly unique or eye-opening in this film. It's just interesting, different, well conceptualized and a unique find. There were a few unexplained things, but it's not a big enough issue to fight the premise or the validity of the story itself. Besides being cool, with fighting elements and surreal looks from the Matrix, Mirrormask/Pan's Labyrinth, and concepts from a myriad of other Heaven Vs. Hell movies, Gabriel manages to come up with a unique look and feel that was consistent and totally their own, with a story line and character archs that, while not deeply worked, is well balanced and consistent, with action (both violent and more emotional), pacing, dialogue, as well as the actors themselves and the setting. The ending is also surprising, but a great one.

I was expecting a lot of eye-rolling or the urge to turn it off, dialogue filled with over used and bad cliches, or none at all and just brutal action/violence that's more senseless and purely for show because it lacks any real story or depth, with Gabriel: you won't find them in this movie.

I couldn't stop watching, open-mouthed at how good it was. Though I'm not surprised that it's getting such mixed reviews. It's one of those films that crosses a lot of genres, so the interpretation can be less structured, almost like: how am I supposed to take this film? Don't think that way, just watch and enjoy, without preconceived notions either. What could have been a campy, cringe-worthy film, turns out to be a surprising find that I plan on buying. September 22, 2008

Expected better

It could be an interesting story if it is about fallen angels only. However, the director and producers used the names of actual Archangels from the Bible implying that Angels from Heaven who did not fall during the first rebellion (such as Michael, Gabriel, etc.) can fall from grace and, therefore, perish; not so if we follow the Bible. Angels who did not fall during their rebellion; were allowed to a higher degree and now have the Beatific vision of God, therefore, they can not fall now (It would be like saying that people who go to Heaven, could later sin, fall from grace and perish - not so following the Bible). In this way, it's not Biblical faithful as some may think.

As for those who believe in Purgatory, contrary to what this movie says about it, the fate of those souls have already been decided; those souls are being purged or cleaned of all the venial sins they have committed or had at the our of their death before they can enter Heaven; but their fate is not "yet to be decided" (as this films says).

Bearing in mind that this is only a fictional story, I like some facts such as that Angels have the capability to appear as human in fleshy form, spend time with humans, live, eat with humans and as humans, etc; (such as the Angels who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah). The villain in this movie is pretty good, I even liked him better than the supposed hero in this movie. Some parts of the movie became slow to me.
August 23, 2008

Watchable, but has unfulfilled potential.

This movie was good, but it could have used a lot of improvement. It was constantly dark and dreary, and quite monotonous in that sense. I was excited to see a movie with the archangel Gabriel as the main character, but I feel like the film could have been a lot more epic given the subject matter.

August 20, 2008

Dark, intense, and overall quite good

I saw a preview for this movie when I was checking previews on a movie rental service. I love good vs evil plots and I was intrigued with the whole idea of this movie. I was surprised with how dark it was at first but I thought the acting was well done and the storyline was very good. I thought they could have went into the characters a little more, but it is quite understandable since they had such a low budget. If you love the Matrix, Underworld, Blade movies then it is quite possible this movie is for you. I will watch it again. August 17, 2008

Poor Plot and Setting

This movie has a very poor plot and unbelievable story line that lends itself to the barely made it thru watching it category. It's dark and dreary and uninspiring. I'm not sure why it has received so many good reviews. July 11, 2008

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