Machine Gun Preacher emerges from the hands of style-chameleon Marc Foster, known from films like Monster’s Ball, Quantum of Solace, Finding Neverland, Stranger than Fiction, Stay and The Kite Runner.. If some other director has more of a seemingly mixed and inconsistent oeuvre I haven’t heard of them.
The story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who’ve been forced to become soldiers.
No doubt the synopsis seems intriguing enough, with a hot topic of child soldiers and Childers’ life story is nothing short of miraculous, BUT (you saw it coming) can Gerard Butler act?
If not, MGP will propably succumb to a level of mindless action. If yes, it could be a surprise hit. As much I’d like to wave the Scottish flag and say I think Butler could pull it off, I won’t. Even with the semi-inspiring additions of Kathy Baker and Michael Shannon (who’s really underrated btw!) there seems to be a disconnect in the uplifting message of the story and the classical mindless action.
Opens in the UK on the 4th of November, limited release in the US.
Split Reel 
Smells like a good no-brainer but with a rather plastic background story. Butler is a decent actor and it’s rated R, so I might rent it in case of boredom.
He’s decent in a very particular role, but those roles are usually very limited in range. I think this must’ve been a challenge for him.
I will give it a rental once it’s available on DVD. The dismal Rotten Tomatoes score (22%) certainly isn’t too reassuring but it should be a watchable, broad-stroke story.
Too bad. Maybe Coriolanus will be ok?
I have just booked myself on an early screening of this on 1st November. I will let you know what I think then!!
:-)
Looking forward to it!
Miss. Miss. Miss. Miss.
Oh, and yeah, miss.
Butler has a certain gregariousness to him that could lend itself well to a role of this sort, and I’ve heard good things about it from advance press. That said, it’s Butler, and Butler hasn’t been in a good movie since 300, so I remain cautiously interested in this.
More than this, I think he will shine in Coriolanus, when ever that gets out, since that’s very much his forte.
Hi Anna, I saw this a few weeks ago, here’s my review: http://wp.me/pxXPC-434
I gave it 4/5 stars for both the story and acting. Yes, Butler can definitely act, but I already knew that before seeing this film.
Nice, will check it out ASAP!
I’m on the fence with Butler..