Left Behind (2014) parents guide

Left Behind (2014) Parent Guide

If your views about the end of the world differ from those portrayed in here, you might be a little bewildered, too.

Overall C-

A pre-apocalyptic event causes millions of God-fearing people to vanish. Those left behind must now sort out the ensuing chaos, as well as their personal shortcomings.

Release date October 3, 2014

Violence C
Sexual Content B
Profanity B
Substance Use C+

Why is Left Behind (2014) rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Left Behind (2014) PG-13 for some thematic elements, violence/peril and brief drug content.

Run Time: 110 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

Imagine sitting on an airplane only to have the passenger next to you disappear in mid-flight. That’s what happens on a transatlantic air trip from New York City to London. Understandably the passengers and pilot Ray Steele (Nicholas Cage) are more than a little confused. But unbeknownst to them, things down on earth have gone haywire as well. The instantaneous vanishing of millions of people has left the world in chaos. Unmanned cars crash. Emergency calls for help go unanswered. Navigational equipment fails. Looters storm the stores. And terror grips everyone who has been left behind.

While Ray tries to find a way to safely land his plane and its remaining passengers, his daughter Chloe searches for her mother and brother who seem to have been taken up with the rest of the believers.

This remake of the 2000 Kirk Cameron film is also based on the evangelical novel written by Jerry Jenkins and Tim LaHaye. Like the first movie, everyone is looking for an explanation for the bizarre event. Only those who understand the Biblical prophesy of the Rapture have an idea of what has happened. Unfortunately the script gets a little sketchy about who does and who does not get swept up to heaven. Innocent babies and children are understandable. But things are less clear when it comes to the adults—especially the religious fanatics. From my perspective there were some pretty honorable people that remain. If your views about the end of the world differ from those portrayed in here, you might be a little bewildered too.

From a content standpoint, this end-of-days tale is relatively mild with the worse depictions being the violence that ensues, a robber who is shot and killed, and several large explosions. There’s also the depiction of a drug addict. (She returns to her religious upbringing as the plane is about to go down.)

Personal beliefs aside, this screenplay just stumbles from the get go. Both the dialogue and acting feel stilted, the set-up is unconvincing and motivation is lacking. At least we know why Ray is passed over. The high-flying airline pilot is contemplating adultery.

The biggest flaw however is the unanswered question of what will happen next. Do those left behind get a second chance? Or is it every man and woman for themselves until the last one is left standing?

Directed by Vic Armstrong. Starring Nicolas Cage, Chad Michael Murray, Cassi Thomson. Running time: 110 minutes. Theatrical release October 3, 2014. Updated

Left Behind (2014)
Rating & Content Info

Why is Left Behind (2014) rated PG-13? Left Behind (2014) is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some thematic elements, violence/peril and brief drug content.

Violence: Characters talk about earthquakes and natural disasters. Characters are involved in car crashes and other accidents with some bloody injuries shown. A plane crashes killing all the passengers. People loot stores, steal and snatch purses. A storeowner shoots a man who is trying to steal from him. A woman pulls a gun on fellow passengers, and then threatens to kill herself. Huge explosions occur when a plane lands. The city skyline burns.

Sexual Content: Some brief scenes of kissing and embracing are shown. Some female characters wear low cut blouses. Adultery is alluded to.

Language: The script includes a limited use of profanities.

Alcohol / Drug Use:An addict thinks she is having a bad trip and takes more illegal drugs.

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Left Behind (2014) Parents' Guide

Although this is supposed to be a religious film, how are believers portrayed? How does Ray justify his infidelity? What symbols are included to portray who is religious?

What are the last words you would say to someone?

Learn more about the Left Behind book series (written by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye) that this movie is based on.

This movie is a fictional look at what some Christian religions believe might happen during “The Rapture.” To learn more about what this term means, see: http://christianity.about.com/od/faqhelpdesk/a/whatisrapture.htm

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Left Behind (2014) movie is January 6, 2015. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Left Behind
Releases Date: 6 January 2015
Left Behind releases to home video with the following special features:
- Behind the Scenes Featurette and Slideshow
- Interviews with Cast and Crew
- Author’s Reflections
- Films to Believe In
- Promotional Videos
- Official Trailer

Related home video titles:

This novel has been adapted to the big screen before. See Left Behind: The Movie.

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