The movie in short: Romans are bad, Christians are good. A movie that completely ignores the historical context, and is unfaithful to historical truth. Very boring pace and unremarkable screenplay.

This movie is almost anti-Christian. The reason I say this is the Christians in this movie are almost cult like in there teaching and in their ways. There is no Holy Spirit or walk with God, but only head knowledge of "love love love". It was like they were unsaved "christians" that are filling churches today. They have no idea what the power of God is. This movie only appeals to that crowd, affirming their lack of faith. The movie also makes sure to let the audience know that prayer doesn't work, and God doesn't protect. They sent a boy out on a mission full of faith that God would protect, only to have him killed. Sure the persecution happened, but we do not shiver in fear with no hope. "The Holy Spirit shall lead you to all truth." Yet they had to force feed "just love" teaching. This is a modern teaching that is very crafty. Yes Jesus is love but he taught hard truth. He blasted the pharisees for being hypocrites and their teaching keeps people from salvation, over and over for the entire chapter. (matthew 23) Paul of the bible was also bold in teaching and correcting. Now on to the writing of the book of Acts. In the movie it was Luke's idea for Paul to encourage the church with a letter. Paul would randomly say a classic verse throughout the movie, which the average non discerning Christian will eat up. But it comes off like man made one liners. The way the "story" was told to Luke was not even word for word from the bible. Then at the end Luke heard Paul say something great, and he said "I now have an ending!" Like an author that had writers block. This gives the message that the bible is man made and manipulated. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." 2 Timothy 3:16 I will say God did have a cameo appearance at the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. Other than that there was no God in this movie. Like another reviewer pointed out, the one chance to let Paul heal the dying daughter of the jailer, and Paul offers the skills of Luke "the best surgeon in Rome." There is power in salvation and in the life of the true believer. I'm afraid that if this movie doesn't turn people away from Jesus, that it will keep the lost "christian" in his deception. I know from experience from praying multiple times as a child for salvation. I never knew God or his power. I even thought to myself in high school "if Jesus were Lord, wouldn't you feel God?" So many today teach "it's not like that for everyone, it's not about feeeeelings". Really? So you can't feel fruit of the Spirit? The Holy presence, peace love for strangers, patience, conviction unlike ever before salvation? If salvation for you didn't bring you to shame and tears in the Holy presence of God...only to be filled with peace and holiness after crying out for forgiveness? Does God bring peace in an instance when they are down? Do they lose that peace and holy desires, and are filled with flesh when they sin? And also get that peace back in an instance when asking for forgiveness? " For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance"

I stretched my generosity and gave this two stars for getting some of the names right. I know Caviezel thought this would be the biggest Bible movie ever, but I don't consider embellishment to qualify such hope. Did Paul's ministry need such frippery?Luke, mentioned maybe four times in Scripture, was without the details invented for this movie. Did no one bother reading the Bible prior to this production? Did anyone protest taking such liberties, yet have the audacity to call this a Bible movie? It's a fanciful tale of a few heroic names from Scripture, but we know little of Luke, Priscilla, Aquila, other than they were staunch supporters of Paul's Christ-centered ministry, and traveling companions. I've watched about 25 biblically based movies, and while none have earned my revulsion quite like Jeremy Sisto's portrayal of Jesus, few are excellent. This one falls far short of what was probably the expectation of Gibson. I can even take some adornments of Bible records, but to base an entire movie on them isn't acceptable. We have no greater record of an Apostle than Paul's. Gibson's movie proves that adornments can't enhance our historical records from the Bible.

I normally do not review movies nor do I bother explaining my ratings except if a movie is really bad, or really good. And thankfully, this one is in the latter category.The story finds Paul in prison under the cruel Emperor Nero, Christians are blamed for a recent fire that burned down half of Rome. Coupled with their message (The Way), they are under terrible persecution and are even being burned to death and used to light up Rome as burning human torches. The group of Christians are terrified by events and very discouraged.Luke makes the perilous journey to Rome and using connections and favors, he makes his way to Paul who is already condemned and awaiting execution. Luke is compelled to persuade Paul to "give direction and hope" through his story and encourage this band of believers who are "daily being led to the slaughter".Unlike the series "The Bible" which feels too "Bibleish", the makers of this film attempt to give us a feel of what it would have been like in those days, with real Christians under immense pressure to give up, to run away from their calling and even to pick up arms and retaliate.For me kudos go to the three main characters, Luke "the Greek" (Jim Caviezel) who really takes on this role without feeling like a reprisal of "The Passion of the Christ", Paul - The Apostle (James Faulkner) who owned the role so well that as a watcher, he really did feel like what Paul would probably be like at the end of his life, and Mauritius (Olivier Martinez) who really plays the role of Chief Warden and former Roman Legionary very well. They also build on the characters of Priscilla and her husband Aquila (Joanne Whalley and John Lynch) quite well and really give us a feel of what they could have experienced back then.Some aspects of the story do suffer from a little bit of plot holes (like how so many Christians could be so openly helped with many joining daily in the middle of Rome without the authorities learning about them and raiding the place). But overall, the story is a rehash with a great touch of humanity on the imagined story behind the writing of the book of Acts (circa 67AD, 30 years after Christ's ascension).It may not do very well at the box office, or perhaps even receive the usual bashing from critics (what do they know any ways - after all they have nothing good to say about any film that tackles Christian themes anyway), but I am certain this one will become a go-to film on how best to tackle historical Christian films around Bible characters without completely killing the story and meaning altogether or being to "academic" and "Bible in visual form" style narration of the source material.I wholly recommend it and will be watching this film repeatedly, thats for sure.