Gabriel
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Published on Tuesday, 13 September 2011 20:00
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Written by TheBritChick
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Title |
Gabriel |
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Directed By |
Shane Abbess |
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Written By |
Shane Abbess |
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Starring |
Andy Whitfield, Dwaine Stevenson, Samantha Noble, Erika Heynatz, Michael Piccirilli |
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Release Date |
2008 |
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DVD Distributer |
Sony Pictures |
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MPAA Rating |
R |
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KillingBoxx Score |
5.0
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By It Now On |
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Some very tasty phenomenal foreplay!
The density of
Gabriel, Directed by Shane Abbess blows the similarly themed 'Legion' right out the picture. The creation where the light is so weak against the ruling darkness is catastrophic by relevance of story lines alone - there is no comparison this wins outright every single time. And why is it that I need to even compare? Because as one specific theme hits mainstream cinema - opening a veritable floodgate of imitators, there will always be an underdog, Gabriel, lurking in the shadows far better than any heretofore obvious clichéd portrait of good versus evil. Gabriel filmed on a low budget of just $200,000 Australian Dollars, independently triggers a side-affect within you that you can't help feel a guilty pleasure as you welcome its ugliness with open arms.
"When a soul crosses to the afterlife, it journeys into one of two opposing realms;
A divine source of harmony and wellbeing
A consuming source of evil and malevolence
A mid world exists for the souls whose judgement has yet to be decided. It's commonly referred to as Purgatory. Purgatory currently ruled and exposed to the dark depths of depravity as hell is itself".
Gabriel based its atmosphere around three highly acclaimed influences as deployed by
Highlander,
The Crow and of course my favourite of all time
Blade Runner. Its sluggishness appears to slow actual time right down with it, surreal I know, but part of this process actually draws you in. Maybe because it rekindled my absolute love towards the typical science fiction flicks of the the 80's and 90's that I loved so much growing up.
Deciphering where Gabriel's (Andy Whitfield) predecessors went, his friends and former Arch Angels, is not only a priority but a necessity to over powering the possession of all things evil currently ruling over Purgatory. It's time for a long overdue change of ruler ship and the top man Sammael (Dwaine Stevenson) isn't going to give this up to the light without one hell of a fight.
In order to save those trapped and condemned to live out a life in human form within the most ungodly place imaginable, Gabriel must lose his wings and taken upon himself the same form. Time is limited as the more he enables the darkness to fowl his soul with its putrid energy, the less his Angelic powers can be sourced from the heaven above for which, he fell from. Time is of the essence.
Discovering the identities of each Arch buried under denial and acceptance of their fate, calls Gabriel to use his instinctual reactions, for they have hidden themselves well - some clouded behind a lost memory of who they really are. Finding out that Remiel, the first Arch to enter this doomed place had been killed outright by Ahriman (Kevin Copeland) forces Gabriel to resurrect the remaining five (Amitiel, Uriel, Raphael, Ithuriel and Michael) even quicker. Though it soon becomes apparent and with much fear that Michael is nowhere to be seen or detected, begging the question has he been killed?
Discretion at this stage of his friend's transformation becomes vital, not only because every time Gabriel uses his powers they decrease, but when he shines, he becomes a beacon to the seven Fallen, hot on his heels, lusting after his demise.
Needless to say the climatic fight scene at the end between Gabriel and Sammael not only compels this saddened state of play between twisted and torn enemies, but reveals a truth that had me wanting to write up this review to say "Hey go watch this!"
Gabriel is the first feature directed by Shane Abbess, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Matt Hylton Todd. He not so much welcomes us into his abode but slams us right smack bang into it, like a true pro he brings the stuff of nightmares.
Shot in Sydney, Australia this film was captured entirely on the new JVC GY-HD101E digital camera over an eight week period back in 2005. Enduring obstacles that would normally have closed down production, Shane pioneered new methods to draw money into the project and sourced alternative ways to deliver difficult fight scenes into what I can only describe as some very tasty phenomenal foreplay!
As for the lead actor Andy Whitfield (Gabriel) he has this whole melancholy appeal where his responsibility to save this world lies heavily upon his shoulders, like Atlas he carries it well. The motivation of course, being drawn from the fact that if he fails this mission he will also lose himself and be trapped for infinity - or worse still be killed and with that his soul will die to. Besides Gabriel is the last Arch standing, and everyone's last hope.
In an interview relating to his character Andy summed up Gabriel in one sentence by saying "everything and anything seems possible and yet he is so utterly inexperienced to deal with even the most harmless of humans." Paving the way for a realistic character we can all relate to as being weak yet still committed to the cause, enough to push through anything that stops him from reaching his goal. Rather like how the director Shane fought hard to make the film happen.
The moral of this particular story for me is that even Arch Angel's in a human body suffer the consequences of choice, desire and all that comes with yearning to numb the feeling of pain. Kind of reminding us all along the way to not be so damn hard on ourselves!
Gabriel is the first of a trilogy for any fans who have watched this and thirst for more ... watch this space ...
