Customer Reviews

Six: The Mark Unleashed

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Thoughtful, unique, character-driven--all with a plausible plot. Creating a quality end-times thriller on film, using a limited budget is such a tall order, success might be the ultimate proof that God exists! Six's task was all the more difficult, in that many have tried before: Left Behind, Omega Code, and the Apocalypse series come to mind. Yet, in spite of the competition, and difficulties, SIX does a credible job of portraying a world in which an entire society has been caught up in a personality cult. Three forces collide--the Community--those who buy into the new Messiah's message, and the government line that opponents are dangerous; Renegades--those that are just to independent to buy in or fit in; and finally, Christians--those convinced that the Community signals the end times, and who encourage allegiance to Jesus Christ.

Some have, with justification, complained about poor quality action scenes. Yet, the resignation with which runners run and chasers chase seems almost realistic. The Community is all-powerful--who can fight Goliath? And, for Christians, they know that time is coming to an end--why struggle? Those caught in the middle don't want to submit, but really have nowhere to go.

The dialogue can be preachy at times, but the atmosphere, tone, and nuanced environment generated by background music and surprisingly strong acting, make the conversations seem more like musings than rantings.

Finally, about characters: The protaganist plays the man in the middle, independent, torn, frustrated, dejected, yet defiant--perfectly. His sold-out wife in interesting, mostly for how much she looks like one of the main heroines in the Matrix movies. It's clever, how she tries to seduce her own husband, grant him hope, yet that she never strays from her new found faith in the Community. Several other actors play secondary roles with surprising skill.

Bottom-line: This movie will grow on you! It's not fast-paced, but it does not drag either. There is much food for thought, and the mixture of genres and ideas is intriguing.
Well worth a few hours of thoughtful viewing.

I really enjoyed this movie! It is a great Christian film (not an oxymoron, despite some movies to the contrary!). Six is an end-times movie - the world has fallen under the power of the anti-Christ and human free will and choice has been destroyed. It kind of reminded me of a Christian version of the movie Equilibrium (which I also highly recommend). The characters in Six are not cardboard cut-outs but well thought out individuals. The emphasis in Six is on human choice - we each have to choose for ourselves to accept or reject Jesus as the Savior. The consequences for each choice are clear - death on earth and eternal life with Jesus or death on earth and death forever in hell. But Six is careful to show that this decision is not a simple choice but involves real pain. One of the characters has lost everything - his job, his freedom, and the woman he loved. To him, God is as responsible for his losses as the anti-Christ is. So, because he can't overcome his pain and bitterness, he doesn't want to hear the message of salvation. My favorite part of the movie (without giving away any spoilers!) is the prison cells. When the Christians are sent to prison for refusing to accept the anti-Christ, they cover the cell walls with Bible verses. Their hope in death mystifies the nonbelieving prisoners and draws them to the message on the walls. This was a small but meaningful touch to the movie. It shows the love that the director and other crew members put into Six. Also, I was so excited to see Stephen Baldwin, one of the famous Baldwin brothers, in a cameo role. Stephen became a Christian after the attacks on September 11th and is such an enthusiatic believer that he can't help but inspire. I would highly recommend renting or buying the DVD version of Six for the special features. There is a 40-minute behind the scenes featurette that is made with almost the same amount of love as Six itself. It includes the struggles the production went through as well as a hilarious story about David White (one of the stars) and a "driving" incident. This feature really gives you a window into the love these crew members have for Jesus. Bonus - there is a blooper reel! Adding a blooper reel is always a fun way to see the true character of the actors. Six is a great movie about the very real choice we all must make and where that choice leads us. It has my highest recommendation!

Great movie based on the end times. Not just for Christians, but anyone with an interest in set-in-the-near-future apocalyptic movies and tv shows.

One reviewer states that Revelation (singular, there's no 's' on the end of that) was a warning against worshipping Nero. To my knowledge Nero never forced everyone to get a mark so they could buy and sell, and Christians wouldn't need to be warned against worshipping Nero - that's covered in the 10 commandments. Please, PLEASE, if you must slag off Christianity, at least say something you can support. And to the guy who compares Christian martyrs with suicide bombers, the key difference is that Christian martyrs DIE for their faith, suicide bombers KILL for theirs.

Ignorance like these examples is one of the prevailing enemies which Christians face in the modern world. Look at what's going on in the world, advancements in bio-technology offer a possible mark of the beast, wars in the middle east which may lead to the seven year peace deal foretold in the Book of Daniel. It's coming, and I hope that you realise that before it's too late for you.

Any criticism of Christianity is accepted and endured, but critisicm of any other religion is called intolerant.

Intolerance works both ways.

This was a creative take on the end times, I really enjoyed it.

Its a little low-budget, but the performances were great. William Baldwin did a great job. Its good to see Christian films finally coming around.

The sign of the times are all present and sooner or later the world dictator will make his debut onto the world scene. The movie "Six" even though it is a movie is a close representation of what it will be like in a couple of years. Six talks about the Tribulation time in where all people on this earth will have to use a mark on there right hand or forehead in order to buy and sell anything in the market. The cash society will be non-existent. This is a great movie for the Christian person and for the person who does not know Jesus Christ and who wants to, who wants to change to the Christian Religion. People laugh at this time from ever occurring but if you look at the news things are going on which only indicate that the Lord will be coming soon.
Pray alot, and hope to get picked up during the Rapture. As for Six the movie, get it, and watch it, and learn from it.

I bought this a couple of years ago, and can't stop watching it! It is POWERFUL! And totally entertaining, it will grab your attention from the 1st second, and keep it all the way to the last second. All the actors were SUPERB, but the BEST actor without question was Troy Winbush, The black gentleman in the middle of the movie. I can't watch his scene without getting chills! It's awesome, you just gotta see it to believe it. I LOVED Brody, and I couldn't believe what he did in the last scene-but it did wrap it all up well, the last scene actually being the finish of the first scene. I make copies & give them out to people, that's how great it is! BUY IT/LOVE IT!
P.S.-As for Wendy's review: Get it together girl!; first, there's no S in Revelation; second, God DID warn the character Luke that Tom was about to wail on him-Luke said, "I'm sorry Tom, do what you think you've gotta do", then Tom beat the stew outta him! HUH? ALRIGHTY THEN! Let Jesus love you before you wish you had have!
P.S.S.-Pixiepoison, You've got it! I TOTALLY agree with you-great points!
P.S.S.#2-HEY PEOPLE!!, PLEASE PLEASE read my review of the movie "The Moment After"! Think about the anagram I referred to, OK? (the mark of the B.iological E.ncoding A.nd S.atellite T.racking-what's that spell?) SPOOKY, HUH?! It makes PERFECT sense!
AND ANOTHER P.P.S.- I heard Pastor John Hagee say something SO true the other day, he said "nowadays people will accept any religion-you can worship a pigeon flying through the air, and people will applaud, but the moment you love Jesus, you're a PSYCHOPATH!!" AMEN! HOW TRUE! PEOPLE ARE THAT WAY!

The producers of this film made some very wise choices - instead of trying to make a blockbuster film with their VERY modest budget, they chose instead to focus on the story and leaving what would otherwise have required some serious (and expensive) special effects, to your imagination. This works surprisingly well in this film.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly spelled out, and gives a basically believable look at what the future of this very country (USA) holds if we continue on the path we are on...

Thought-provoking, and inspiring.

"Six: The Mark Unleashed" is a well paced end-times drama that though a low-budget production, will be highly entertaining for anyone who likes apocalyptic scenarios, and listening to a script that contains a lot of Scripture, though some non-Christians may even find it boring and not appreciate its message. The sets are minimal, as much of the film takes place within the confines of a prison, and the emphasis is on the character development of the people in the story. Those who have received the "Holy Implant" have chosen self-preservation at any cost, with life but no freedom, and those who remain true to their Christian beliefs and don't get "branded," accept martyrdom (by guillotine) as a better alternative. There are also those who are simply "underground," having not committed to Christianity, but fearing the implant. The implant is a reprogramming device that makes one conform to obey the Antichrist, during the years of Tribulation.

The film is overall very well acted, with producer/director Kevin Downes as Jerry, who is a car thief along with his buddy Brody, played by writer/producer David White. Also in the cast is Stephen Baldwin as Luke, and very impressive are Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Tom, and Troy Winbush as Lewis. The filmmakers made the most of every dollar they spent on this film, and gave their audience a fairly literate script, and an excellent cast. "Six: The Mark Unleashed" makes one think about the choices we make; as one character says at the end, "I still remember the last free choice I ever made...it was the wrong choice."

The drama SIX takes place in the upcoming time of a totalitarian world ruler and follows men imprisoned for not yet taking the required "mark of the beast" upon the hand or forehead. We meet believers and unbelievers confronted with choices of life and death--death by guillotine line, something true to Revelation speaking of Christian beheadings, and a scene that reminded me of the Holocaust scenes of prisoners hung as a group in a line. Actual decapitation is not shown, and the movie is suitable for young teens and up.

Several of these actors also appeared in the movie The Moment After, which I recommend even more highly. Once again, though, actor Troy Winbush's screen time ends much too soon. Stephen Baldwin's delivers a subtle, convincing performance as a Spirit-filled prison pastor soon to be executed.

The story's rather simple, but a reminder to stand firm in the faith, that losing one's soul is worse than death. There is a good bit of scripture quoting, some while reading from prison cell walls entirely covered with Bible verses, something that at first required me to suspend my disbelief that this would be allowed. But then I remembered the writings from the Roman catacombs and cell of Bonhoeffer, and considered that the power of scripture might be unapprreciated by the future authorities, so perhaps it could happen. Anyway, overall, this is solid but simple endtimes entertainment.

Let me preface this review by saying I'm a Christian always on the hunt for some good Christian cinema. It's tough to find. Most Christian movies are filled with poor acting and writing, and special effects if any are lackluster. Good ones are out there, it just takes diligence to find them. I can't say that Six falls into that category.

I was taken in by all the positive reviews here and purchased the movie for my church library. Once I previewed it, I was totally disappointed. I thought the plot far surpassed any level of suspension of disbelief at any point (with the pre-conception that I believe what God's word teaches about end times). The acting was borderline horrific.

One of the main reasons I want a good Christian movie is to use it in my ministry as Asst. Chaplain at the local county jail. This is the sort of movie that would bring laughter and boredom instead of conviction and teaching of God's word. I would just encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ not to give a movie a high rating just because it's a Christian movie. Maybe the only reason we never get many good Christian movies is because we are satisified with the poor quality ones that keep coming out.