Gabriel (2007)

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Director:

Shane Abbess

Writers:

Shane Abbess (writer)
Matt Hylton Todd (writer)

Release Date:

15 November 2007 (Australia)

Genre:

Action | Horror

Tagline:

Far from Grace

Plot:

GABRIEL tells the story of an archangel who fights to bring light back to purgatory - a place where darkness rules - and save the souls of the city's inhabitants. |

Plot Keywords:

Blue Eyes | Torment | Plea For Forgiveness | Injection Scars | Reload

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Andy Whitfield	...	Gabriel
Dwaine Stevenson	...	Sammael
Samantha Noble	...	Jade / Amitiel
Michael Piccirilli	...	Asmodeus
Jack Campbell	...	Raphael
Erika Heynatz	...	Lilith
Harry Pavlidis	...	Uriel
Kevin Copeland	...	Ahriman
Matt Hylton Todd	...	Ithuriel
Brendan Clearkin	...	Balan
Goran D. Kleut	...	Moloch
Valentino del Toro	...	Baliel
Amy Mathews	...	Maggie
Paul Winchester	...	Marcus
Richard Huggett	...	Max

Runtime:

Greece:109 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Australia:M | Germany:16 | Malaysia:18PL | Singapore:M18 | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:16 | South Korea:18

Filming Locations:

Heddon Greta, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

HILT Productions

Trivia:

The art department saved money by obtaining all their props and costumes from local thrift stores. In addition, they saved money on dressing sets by using abandoned industrial locations and condemned buildings.

Quotes:

Sammael: Just say my name. I love you like a brother, I taught you everything you know. I can hear it in your thoughts, say it. Say it!
Gabriel: Michael.

Don't judge the film too quickly

I had my doubts about this film when I first saw the trailer - to me it looked like a ripoff of the Nightwatch premise. However, when I saw it I learned that the story itself was very different. Oh sure, it has a Jesus-like story arc much like the Matrix and a good vs bad that pretty much every fantasy film has.

What I liked about this one was that the story didn't follow the usual formulaic storyline that you can almost time down to the minute. At first I wasn't sure where the story was headed, but as it unfolded I became drawn into it. I enjoyed the story, and it's exploration of the concept of freedom. I found it to be a story of great substance, and bears watching a second time in order to fully appreciate it, much like films such as Donnie Darko.

I liked that the cast was filled with people I didn't know, it gave it a freshness and allowed one to view it without the context of the actors cluttering the story. I liked the gritty visuals and sound - it pulled this off without the need to provide motion-sick tablets with your ticket, unlike movies like the Bourne Ultimatum which took wobbly camera shots a bit too far. It is a look typical of many Australian films, such as Wolf Creek, but the comic-book look of the film gives it a sense of fantasy which suits the story perfectly.

One thing I particularly liked was the way the fight scenes were realised - a fresh approach to supernatural battles which, I think, works well.

I found the effects a little over-done at times, and some of the visuals could have used a bit more polish, but considering the film's budget (or lack thereof), I think it's very impressive.

Sure, it's no Hollywood blockbuster, but that's kind of the point.