The Shift is not just a good movie
As promised, this week’s twofer includes The Shift, the latest offering from Angel Studios. Those are the same folks that brought us Sound of Freedom. Check my previous reviews. I loved that movie.
I think, therefore I are
I think I’ve mentioned before that the Average Dude is a classic over-thinker. In my personal circles, it’s a well-known fact. Mrs Average Dude constantly rolls her eyes when I hear song lyrics that don’t make sense and try to figure out what they were saying and becomes a conversation I’m basically having with myself…it’s a whole thing.
Likewise, when I see a movie, it’s not just two hours of escapism. I am hyper aware of plot holes and inconsistencies, but also more than willing to forgive them in pursuit of finding quality entertainment. It’s a dichotomy that defies understanding. So, in that way I guess I’m not your average dude. We like the same stuff. I just think about some of them more.
I may have also mentioned that I believe there are bad movies and good movies, then there are important movies. Movies that do more than let us check out for a couple of hours. They are impactful in a positive way. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is definitely one of those. Passion of the Christ is another. Saving Private Ryan makes the cut. Sound of Freedom, too. Each one of them deserves – even commands – introspection. Each one has essential things to say that we, in the helter skelter world where we all live, can easily forget. The Shift lands solidly in the important category. It’s an opinion, yes. But one that all would be well-served in considering.
When The Shift hits the fan
The Shift is the story of Kevin Garner, a kind of everydude (welcome, bro!) who meets the girl of his dreams at the lowest point of his life (so far, that is). At their first meeting, his soon-to-be wife Molly raises the question ‘what will happen to us when we experience tragedy? Will we be able to weather the storm?’ Fast forward a few years and tragedy does indeed strike, and that question is answered.
Enter: the Benefactor, played by the absolutely awesome-in-everything-he-does Neal McDonough. The Benefactor possesses a technology that allows him to ‘shift’ between alternate realities. He offers Kevin a job…come and work for him as one of his ‘shifters’, moving from reality to reality doing the Benefactor’s bidding. Oh, and by the way, all Kevins in all other realities have accepted the Benefactor’s offer. For reasons I won’t reveal here, our Kevin declines and is branded ‘the Kevin who refused’, becoming infamous across the multiverse (I know, I know…we will address it, have no fear). As a punishment for rejecting the Benefactor, Kevin is exiled to a bleak and hellish reality where hope is…well, you’ll see…
On its surface, The Shift is not breaking any new ground. Dystopian future hellscapes, brutal and oppressive overlords…we’ve seen it countless times. What makes The Shift different (and immeasurably better) than most is the clear, unashamed God element. The Average Dude was raised up in the way of the Lord so Christ-influenced movies don’t make me uneasy. I know what I know. So while shows like The Last of Us, The Road, Hunger Games, Mad Max, V for Vendetta et al are all great watches in their own right, they can all be dismissed after the lights come up.
The Shift cannot be so easily dismissed. At least, it should not be. And if the idea of God in our world makes you uneasy…? Well, I urge you with all my average dude heart to take a deeper look at why that is.
Get a Job
The Shift is the based on the Biblical story of Job, reimagined for a generation that has elevated sci fi almost to worship status (anybody remember the tragic Heaven’s Gate cult?). It’s not a visual representation straight from the Bible like The Chosen (another popular offering from Angel Studios). It’s allegorical, a cautionary tale so full of meaning and brimming with hope that begs introspection. And I would be criminally derelict if I didn’t impress upon you that to purposefully cast off the deeper meaning of this parable could wind up being a horrible choice. Horrible doesn’t even begin to describe it.
But if we agree to disagree
For those of you who don’t believe the same things that I believe, I can promise you that The Shift is still a great sci fi movie, grabbing us from the opening scene and leading us along without rushing us. It touches every emotion I can think of. Love found and lost. Tragedy compounded by more tragedy. Guilt and redemption and selflessness and still so much hope. Think ‘The Adjustment Bureau’ if it took a step closer to the source of the source material. That’s the best comparison I can give you.
Does The Shift have flaws? Yes, it does. It will clearly appeal more to those of us who believe that there is a devil and he is actively working to destroy us all. He’s been doing it for a long, long time and he knows all the ways to hurt us. When it comes to subtle manipulation and easy to believe lies, he is the ultimate subject matter expert. For those who do not believe in his existence, the impact of McDonough’s amazing performance will be lessened.
Also, from a story perspective, there are some character resolutions that never happen. Those are small knocks and easily forgiven. And then, there’s the whole ‘multiverse’ aspect. Yeah, it’s been used to death in recent years and it leads me to the one HUGE, unexplained plot hole that I cannot reveal without droppig a spoiler. I’m sure you’ll spot it. A little harder to overlook.
That doesn’t make me wrong though
Am I biased? Sure, that’s fair. I’m still giving The Shift a heartfelt 4.8/5 and welcome any discussion on it. I am sure the intent from Angel Studios was to create an engaging, thought-provoking and entertaining movie that leads to bigger conversations within you. That’s a bold goal, I hope it bears fruit. For those who are already invested in the movie’s inspiration, it did just that. For others…? Time will tell. But there is always hope.
Check out all the Average Dude Movie Reviews and our super cool merch at www.barredlands.com
Like and Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter/X
#barredlandsdotcom #AverageDudeMovieReviews #PCLoadletter64 #TheShift #CanWeWeathertheStorms