Reader comments: Passage to Zarahemla

| Nov. 9, 2008
My 13 year-old boy just got done watching this movie for the umpteenth time with his dad and I. We absolutely love this movie and think it is so much fun. I may not be as jaded and sophisticated as Jeff Vice or Andino (thank heavens!) but I didn't notice any slow spots and we were never bored. It's a great way to spark some conversations about the Book of Mormon. I think those people who are being negative about this movie are probably the ones who are negative about anything to do with the LDS Church. Don't listen to them. And don't tell me that a plot revolving around Nephites and Lamanites fighting in modern-day Utah is farfetched when we have to put up with the likes of "Spiderman" and "Pirates"! Just watch it for fun!
| Jul. 20, 2008
First of all, shame on all of you for downing this show, being his first movie and having a very low budget id say you gotta give Chris more credit. Id like to see you make a better movie under those same circumstances he had. I loved the book and i thoaght that being a book made into movie it was done extremely well compared to some other books made into movies ive seen. I hope that Chris will continue to make enjoyable and fun storylined films. WELL DONE CHRIS KEEP IT UP!! oh, and i suggest to all of you to read his books to, they are soooooooooooooooo good!!
DCR | Nov. 13, 2007
I went to the movies in A.F. on Nov 9 and found the theater almost full. Pretty good for the 4th week. My wife and I took my mother-in-law and we all fully enjoyed the movie. On my way out of the theater, I overheard the person in front of me telling his wife, "That's the first LDS movie that I've liked". Well, I have liked other LDS moview (some of them), but this one was the first to feel like a 'real movie'. Thanks Chris, for giving us some quality entertainment. I had about given up on LDS cinema.
PAMESTER | Nov. 3, 2007
This movie is not the best I've seen all year. I would probably not watch it again, but I think it deserves more than one star. The story is far-fetched, but so are a lot of movies out there. I thought the director did an excellent job on a low budget and local actors. I thought the movie moved pretty slowly until the guys with the tattoos show up (Lamanites). Probably the best part of the movie was when Grandpa saved the day weilding guns like a geriatric Rambo. c'mon Jeff, how about another star? Two stars. That's about right.
ANDINO | Oct. 29, 2007
It looks like those of you who found this movie "very enjoyable" are few in number. So few in fact that, dang it, I can't find the movie playing anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley. You folks must be easily entertained. I guess that's why LDS filmmakers continue to dish out low-quality films--because they know you'll go. I can't wait for the next film.
HEATHER ARMSTRONG | Oct. 27, 2007
I saw the movie with my husband yesterday. We thought it was enjoyable. We didn't feel like we had wasted our money or time. The special effects were we'll done. The first 10-20 minutes was a little rough but the storyline and acting improved as the movie progressed.
ROY WILKINSON | Oct. 25, 2007
I found the movie very enjoyable and would recommend it to anyone. A handful of Nephites and Lamanites fighting in modern day Utah is probably about as ridiculous as a wardrobe being a passage to another world or taking a special train to a Wizard's school. Some people have no imagination. As for this who seem to live to make fun of Mormon movies, I say, "Get a life."
TENNISSHOEDUDE | Oct. 24, 2007
Way to go, Chris! I loved this movie. I was surprised how much.
SKEPTIC | Oct. 22, 2007
As much as I distrust Jeff Vice's reviews on ANY movie, a number of these reviews smack of vested interest. How 'bout a full-disclosure call for all the previous reviewers? Are you honest enough to come clean?
ABBIEKNORRMAL | Oct. 19, 2007
I loved the movie. No, it doesn't compare with major movie productions with huge budgets from Hollywood, but for what it was, it was very well made, an imaginative story line and good clean fun. I'd recommend it to anyone. I'll give it 3 1/2 stars.
ANDINO | Oct. 18, 2007
Given all the positive comments (including Leedians, who has apparently camped out at the theater), this movie must really be the best movie since Return With Honor. I guess it doesn't take a whole lot to entertain you. Just get a bunch of people running around on film, and you're there with a bucket of popcorn.
FLOOPSTER | Oct. 18, 2007
Having seen this movie 8 times already, I am just as excited as the first time I saw it. I haven't seen a movie this many times since Return With Honor. Those two flicks have to be two of the best movies of all times. What a banner year for LDS films! And here I didn't think we could improve any more after seeing Beauty and the Beast: A Latter Day Tale. Wow...I was wrong. Anyone else looking forward to the Book of Mormon: Volume 2? Wow, me too. The LDS film genre is on fire. The box office returns are proof!
CLAUDIA | Oct. 18, 2007
My husband and I took our 15 year old grandson to see this movie and all three of us really enjoied the movie. Goes to show that not all people like the same thing. I really hope Chris creates more movies.
LEEDIANS | Oct. 16, 2007
Having seen this movie a few times I find it just as enjoyable as the first time. To me, this movie didn't drag at all. In fact it was very visually and mentally stimulating and kept me on the edge of my seat at times. Chris has a beautiful imagination and it is apparent how much he truly cared for this film (Unlike most hollywood films that are thrown out there). It was a low budget movie but WELL DONE. It takes a lot of spirit and drive to be able to create this movie from nothing. As Chris's first effort into the directing/acting realm he did a fantastic job putting himself out there.
BGOODY | Oct. 16, 2007
The film does start out slowly and has a 80's look to it at the start, but I felt that once the main theme of the movie got going, it was enjoyable and I was able to overlook (and sometimes even enjoy) minor flaws. There were some funny moments mingled with the action which helps offset some of the violence that has been mentioned. I guess I am more generous than some with locally produced movies because of the limited budget that most of them have to work with and I like to encourage local artist to keep going. Hats off to Chris H. for producing, writing, directing and doing the music for this film. Great first effort.
BRIGHAM SMOOT | Oct. 15, 2007
This was the best LDS themed movie since Return With Honor. Return With Honor was the best LDS themed movie since Beauty and the Beast. By the way, have you seen that direct-to-dvd movie, Turn Around? That was the best direct-to-dvd release since the last movie from Liken. I've had more interesting bowel movements.
GLITTER | Oct. 13, 2007
As a fan of Chris's books I was very nervous that the movie would be a disappointment. I was more than pleasantly surprised at how well the movie followed the exact story of the book, not leaving anything out. I loved the movie and would recommend all PTZ fans to see it, if you liked the book I think that you will love the movie!!!!!
CHUCK | Oct. 13, 2007
Regardless of what Jeff Vice and Andino may say, I go to the movies to be entertained, and I thought this movie was definitely entertaining. It had an interesting plot and kept moving. I especially liked the way it brought an episode from the Book of Mormon to life. There are many recent LDS films I haven't liked, but I enjoyed this one and would recommend it.
ANDINO | Oct. 12, 2007
Let's see, we have an inexperienced, novice director and (seriously) inexperienced actors following a silly story with a shoe string budget. That's a recipe for disaster--just like other recent LDS film flops: Return With Honor, Beauty and the Beast, etc. I'm not at all surprised with the review--and I believe Mr. Vice is being very generous. A handful of Nephites and Lamanites fighting in modern-day Utah? Ugh! Look for comments by insiders that "this is the best LDS film ever" or "the best LDS film since Brigham City."

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