Homestead Review

[Westside Steve]

Homestead

Angel Studios

PG-13. 110 min

I'm sure I've pointed this out before but somebody somewhere decided that we shouldn't discuss religion and politics. Frankly just about every Angel film has at least some of each of those and I've noticed that many critics seem to gauge their reaction depending on their own ideas about each subject. I guess everybody, myself included, will just naturally like something better if whatever the message is being presented is one that the writer feels as a positive message for the viewers. Some people might automatically dislike Angel Studios because they are admittedly owned and operated by religious people. Many liberal critics resent the idea that there might be conservative Christian values being taught but if that's the feeling with this latest post-apocalyptic tale, they're mistaken. Oh yes, this film probably has the most obvious religious overtone of any of them so far.

This is not really a spoiler because it's easily found on any of the internet sites but Homestead is actually the pilot for an Angel Streaming series which I believe begins on Christmas. What has happened is that apparently the Russians or some hostile forces have launched a nuclear attack on the United States of America doing immense damage to most of the populated areas and cities also knocking out the bulk of the power grids and information satellites.

The entire world quickly falls into chaos remnants of police departments and other law enforcement groups quickly devolve into militias and once rational public servants because little dictators in their own little fiefdoms.

Angel Studios regular Neil McDonough is Ian Ross, a multi-billionaire who owns a 300-acre safe haven in the Colorado mountains built to resist any kind of natural disaster for a long time. At the first hint of the underpinnings of society cracking apart become apparent, Ross calls his friend Bailey Chase (Jeff Erickson) a former Green Beret and Military security expert, his wife, their son, they're adopted possibly autistic possibly psychic daughter , into the Ross family compound. The residents there are Ross, his wife Jennifer, his daughter Gracie and a fairly good size staff of workers and security people. It's common knowledge that this compound is probably the only safe place within many miles and when things start to go south, everybody will want to be there. You remember the old Twilight Zone episode, right? And just like the Rod Serling teleplay everybody panics. It starts small but escalates as brother versus brother friend versus friend neighbors versus neighbors turn on each other fighting over what they see as a chance for survival. So the question arises, survival of the Soul or just physical existence? This is where two ideologies come head to head with each other. The Bible teaches we are all brothers and sisters the poorest to the richest turning our backs on physical and Financial gain and helping the poor regardless of anything else. Could a true Christian turn away people at the gates, starving and begging you for food or shelter? Or do you have a right to defend your friends and family? That's not a question for me to answer, or really anyone else that's just the Bedrock of the flick. Para military organizations, police stations, National Guard outposts, street gangs Etc will start to grab power in a vacuum. Homestead at least makes the point that everyone has something to offer Society. And if everyone does what he or she is good at in an effort to make that Society better things will work out. I'm guessing that's what's going to happen as the series goes on with the handful of main characters and surely new characters to be introduced over the weeks. Lots of questions lots to think about and probably, if it's like most Angel Films, no easy answers. Homestead isn't boring but it certainly more of a discussion piece that it is an action thriller.

C+

WSS