This past weekend was my time for watching the worst films ever made. First, I wasted $10 a ticket to go and see “Skyline,” which was a huge disappointment. Then I wasted a couple of dollars to rent “Journey to Promethea”, which was so bad I found myself fast forwarding through most of it.
“Journey to Promethea” was a made for TV film. Although it didn’t say so, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a SyFy film. That channel is well known for their B,C, D and worse films. However, most of them are so bad they are redeemable in some small way. This one was not.
It is difficult to know where to start with regard to this movie. Everything about it was bad, from the writing, directing, acting, costuming, lighting, and photography; need I say more?
Let’s start with the plot, which may be the only redeemable factor of the film. “Journey to Promethea” is about a hero who brings his people out of slavery only to watch them get displaced when he is caught and eventually beheaded.
Before he dies he makes a vow that one of his people’s young warriors till eventually lead them to the promise land – – Promethea. Some believe him and hold on to hope, while others accept their less that satisfactory fate.
Years pass and the king once again seeks to use his people unwisely. It is then that the would-be warrior is uncovered. There is only one problem. He’s not a warrior at all, but a farmer.
That is the extent to which this plot is interesting. The rest of it is filled with cliched movie moments and even worse cliches in language. About one-quarter of the way into the film, you find yourself wanting to kick in the TV set just to get away from it.
The movie stars a list of little known actors and after watching them for almost two hours, it is clear why they are unknown. To call the acting bad is a major understatement. It is horrendous at best.
Director Dan Garcia also wrote the screenplay. That explains why the movie was doomed from the outset. He could not see how poorly the film was developed because, as his baby, it had to be preserved as written. Big mistake. Huge!
When I was little my friends and I would get together and act out our favorite movie characters. The costumes we came up with back then were 100 times better than the garments put on the actors of these films. They were utterly laughable.
Cinematography and lighting had a few good moments. However, for the most part, they failed this film as well. So did sound, which went up and down like a bouncing rubber ball.
I want so much to say something nice about his movie. I have searched and searched my repertoire in hopes of doing so. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a single scrap to hold on to.
“Journey to Promethea” was a waste of time; money; and audience. I think that says it all. This movie also gets 0 out of 5 stars. In fact, I should give it -5 out of five stars. It is just that bad!
RATING SCALE USED:
0 = A stinker. Don’t waste the money!
1 = Bad. Rent it at your own risk.
2 = Below average. See only if you have time to kill.
2.5 = Average. A toss up.
3 = Good. Worth a looksee.
3.5 = Very Good. I recommend it.
4 = Excellent. Don’t miss it!
4.5 = Outstanding. What are you waiting for?
5 = Destined to become a classic. You will be sorry if you don’t see it.
