World battles 'Antichrist' in film
USA Today
Out of respect for a grieving nation, Hollywood has postponed or abandoned movies with explosions or references to terrorism. But "Megiddo: Omega Code 2," a Christian-themed movie about the end of the world, has clung steadfastly to a plan set in motion long ago.
Producer Matt Crouch sees this weekend's limited release as prophetic.
"Who could foresee that on Sept. 21 we would release a picture that rallies the resilience of the American people?" he says. "When President Bush read the 23rd Psalm, what was he doing? He was offering words of hope and comfort to the world. I am doing the same thing the president of the United States did in his address to the nation. This entire movie is built upon Scripture, and it offers the message of a future with no hurt, no sorrow, no pain."
Har Megiddo (Armageddon in Latin) is Hebrew for Mount Megiddo, a place in northern Israel "where strategic battles have taken place over time," according to Crouch.
The film "Megiddo" stars Michael York and Michael Biehn. Based on the Book of Revelation, it centers on "an Antichrist character rising to power and using his military capabilities to control the world," Crouch says. In the film, rated PG-13 for violence and warfare and not screened in advance for critics, the world unites against this figure.
It's the sequel to 1999's "The Omega Code," a movie that took Hollywood by surprise when it landed at No. 10 at the box office on opening weekend with a $2.4 million gross. (It went on to take in $12.6 million.)
Crouch, son of televangelist Paul Crouch of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, is convinced his new apocalyptic tale offers the nation a spiritual salve. He seriously considered delaying the film's release date. But, he says, "God has an answer for hurting people everywhere. God prepared "Megiddo" to be the answer."
The sequel is repeating the "Omega Code" strategy. While the budget has grown to $22 million, the movie will go to only 400 theaters in specific regions. Instead of mounting a traditional ad campaign, Crouch took the film on the road and showed it to 4,400 pastors.
