Reviewed by John Butler

A story video that's quite well produced. There's an invite to join in "summer mission work" built on the end but this can be cut without spoiling the story. The "stay at home for the summer" v "go on mission" seems a bit twee. The storyline, although predictable in places, gets the brain cells ticking and brings out some good discussion topics. Without giving too much away, it's based around a family whose Christian commitment has begun to fray at the edges. The father walked out some years previously and the younger son, Chad, already bitter against his dad, sinks further into rebellion when he finds that his brother David has cancer. Musically, it's quality Petra. The tracks included are "Beyond Belief", "Creed", "Seen And Not Heard", "Love" and "Armed And Dangerous" from the 'Beyond Belief album, and are used as background music or as concept video inserts. I don't think they always match in with the story as well as might be expected, eg "Creed", which is an "I Believe" song, is played when Chad is going through his doubts, questions and rebellion. The style varies from ballad ("Love") to rock ("Armed And Dangerous"). Other background music in addition to the songs is good and gives atmosphere without intruding. Watch out for the 'How many fingers can we play a guitar with?' and Bob Hartman managing to get some amazing sounds out of a plank of wood!

Also reviewed in CR12:
For some, this little evangelical drama here, conceived to bring alive Petra's big selling rock album was an abhoration doing no favours to a great AOR album. Personally I wasn't too taken with this collection of songs when I first heard the 'Beyond Belief. However after watching the video they are all now firm favourites, "Beyond Belief and the tour de force of "Armed and Dangerous" the superbly filmed "I Am On The Rock". The film story works fairly well though the acting is pretty stilted, while the script feels as though it's been cut to accommodate the band's material. The storyline concerns two brothers, one of whom is dying. The other is a young, fit, athletic chap with the world at his feet. Eventually, after a struggle he becomes a Christian. Maybe you'll just want to fast forward to the Petra lip-synchin bits.
6
Chris Berry

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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