Movie Review: Genesis: Paradise Lost

[Editor’s note: We are excited to announce that Genesis: Paradise Lost will now be shown in theaters one final night on December 11, 2017. Tickets are available starting December 1 at GenesisMovie.com.]

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”—the booming voice of the narrator, Voddie Baucham, rings through the nearly sold-out theater. Genesis: Paradise Lost, a new film from Creation Today, is the first film to bring the events of Creation Week and Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden of Eden to life in stunning 3D animation (some showings were in 2D). Woven throughout the animated scenes of creation are interviews with top scientists and theologians who explain how science confirms the history we find in Genesis.

A Worldview Clash

It is vital to realize that the battle is over two different interpretations of the evidence.

This film, which will be shown again in select American theaters this Thursday evening, starts by acknowledging the clash between a secular and a biblical worldview due to two different starting points: man’s word vs. God’s Word. Several scientists and theologians explain that this is an authority issue—either trusting man’s ideas about the past or God’s Word, written by the one who was actually there and who does not lie to us. To understand the true nature of the debate, it is vital to realize that the battle is over two different interpretations of the evidence, starting with two different worldviews. It was good to see this addressed at the very beginning of the film.

Genesis Brought to Life

After laying the groundwork for properly understanding the real battle, the 3D animation begins with the first three days of creation. The remaining three days are interspersed throughout the interviews and other animated scenes (more on that below).

Water runs off the surface of the earth as the dry ground appears; plants spring up from the dirt, turning the world into a lush green forest; matter coalesces into planets as God calls the heavenly bodies into being; fish and all varieties of sea creatures fill the oceans while birds and other flying creatures fill the skies above; land creatures—including lots of dinosaurs—appear according to their kinds; and, finally, God creates Adam. He and Eve are then seen roaming through the garden, enjoying together the beauty that God fashioned.

The animation is excellent and realistic; sometimes it looks like live action rather than animation. Seeing the events of creation unfold before your eyes adds color to the pages of Genesis 1. And be assured that the scenes with Adam and Eve, though they are naked as the Bible describes, are very tasteful and family friendly.

The Experts Answer

Featured in the interview portions of the film are several Answers in Genesis speakers, including Dr. Terry Mortenson, Dr. Danny Faulkner, Dr. David Menton, Dr. Georgia Purdom, Ken Ham, Bodie Hodge, and Dr. Tommy Mitchell. Several other scientists, theologians, and other experts are also featured. Throughout the film they discuss a range of topics relevant to the day of creation that had just been featured, always contrasting a biblical model with the corresponding secular model. This film answers many of the common objections to creationist ideas and highlights the scientific and philosophical challenges of the evolutionary worldview.

This film answers many of the common objections to creationist ideas and highlights the scientific and philosophical challenges of the evolutionary worldview.

The interview segments are fairly short and switch frequently between different experts so the audience remains engaged. While young children would probably lose interest, older children, teens, and adults will find these segments fascinating.

After the credits, a special panel featuring Eric Hovind of Creation Today, Ken Ham, Dr. Georgia Purdom, Dr. Danny Faulkner, and Emeal Zwayne of Living Waters, discusses the relevance of Genesis in today’s world and how it relates to the gospel.

And Even More Animations

Woven among the interviews and animations of Creation Week are further animations of key concepts such as the geological column, the history of geology, and human evolution. The outstanding segment on human evolution features models of several of the ancestral skulls in question, passing through an ape or human skull to highlight the similarities between the fossil skull and a modern counterpart. These sections are narrated by Voddie Baucham.

The Reason for the Film

We are thrilled to promote Genesis: Paradise Lost. This powerful film brings the pages of Genesis to life, presents a strong case for the truth of God’s Word and the validity of creation science, and undermines the evolutionary paradigm. But, most of all, it makes much of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The film emphasizes that it’s not enough to believe in creation—only faith in Jesus Christ and what he did for us can save us. The film emphasizes that not belief in creation, but only faith in Jesus Christ’s sacrifice can save us. It highlights man’s sin problem, stemming from our sin in Adam, and powerfully presents the solution, the Lord Jesus and his sacrifice for us.

This film has the potential to be a wonderful conversation-starter and evangelistic tool for Christians to use with their skeptical friends or even fellow believers who reject the historicity of Genesis. Don’t miss your opportunity to see this unique and powerful cinematic experience in theaters Thursday, November 16, 2017. Visit GenesisMovie.com to find a showing of Genesis: Paradise Lost in your area.