Outlaw Prophet (2001) Reviews

• This movie is much more than it seems to be to the casual viewer

  Ton_O2004-09-27

  Don't be put off by the cheesy song during the opening titles. After this there are some shots of a spaceship that are highly reminiscent of the SFX used in the best Science Fiction ever (be it series or film): Blake's 7. Fans of that series know that expensive effects are not what a great viewing experience make, so for those of you who are only used to the boring Hollywood films that only attract viewers because of the expensive FX, just sit through this scene for a very short while and you will be pleasantly surprised by what Outlaw Prophet has to offer. On first glance it doesn't show for the casual viewer, but look a little further and the film is a complicated amalgam of Science Fiction, an highly original view on religion and a very accurate attack on today's viewer-ratings-based television culture (if you can still call it that). And all of these elements are intertwined in a way that leaves you increasingly surprised as the film nears the end. The acting is very good, especially considering the budget of the film – the little girl is brilliant! David Heavener wrote, produced and stars in this film, so we know that what we see is actually the vision of the creator and no executives have messed with the product to include any 'popular themes' or rip-off scenes from movies that sold well recently, as is so often the case with the expensive garbage that we see in the multiplexes. Highly recommended!!

• Outlaw Prophet remains is a unique, silly, but flawed production.

  tarbosh220002011-06-24

  John 141 (Heavener) is some kind of intergalactic future TV star. His producers have him running from planet to planet in the galaxy to do increasingly harder challenges. When he is sent to earth, he becomes attached to a young mute girl, Amy (Sharone) and an alien hunter. After some experiences on earth (in the small town of Paris, Tennessee), he discovers God and the Christian religion. With the help of the angelic Molly (Holden), John 141 must fight for his survival and that of his new compatriots, as well as his new religion. We're big David Heavener fans. We think he's talented and underrated, and we appreciate how all of his movies are labors of love where he stars, writes, directs, does the music and probably does the catering and is the Best Boy and Key Grip. We're always looking out for his movies. If someone not accustomed to low-budget films found Outlaw Prophet and popped it in their DVD player, they would probably groan and say, in one way or another, how they can't tolerate such "badness". True, the early CD-ROM-style computer graphics are quite bargain basement and thus funny - and even mesmerizing - but in this case you have to look beneath the surface. Basically going it alone, David Heavener fashioned this tale of religious awakening in his own inimitable way. While, to be honest, it does become a bit too much of a wacky sci-fi slog for its own good, try to imagine some sort of cross between Abraxas (1990) (with which this movie shares an interesting amount of similarities), Death Drug (1978) and the dreaded Shredder Orpheus (1990). While this movie "shreds" Shredder Orpheus, the cheap, day-glo-soaked set design and lack of coherence reminded us of that film. And while the vibe of the movie might remind you of something the people behind Hell House (2001) might make, you've got to admire Heavener for trying to inject deep theological questions amidst cheesy laser effects, some sort of talking brain called "McBride", and stock footage from other Heavener movies (including a tantalizing few seconds of some Robert Z'Dar movie), all while wearing tights. TIGHTS! I guess that means he's from the future. Or space. Or something... While not the first movie you should see if you're turning on to David Heavener, Outlaw Prophet remains a unique - if flawed - production. Watch for the music video in the church. It's a movie highlight. For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com