Hillsong: Let Hope Rise

Well made movie about humble people serving God using their gifts. A great message and testimonies in this movie.

I have major issues with this type of programme which purports to be a documentary but is in fact a promotional programme for a cult/church aimed clearly at manipulation. For those who do not know of Hillsong just know that the church is a manipulative/greedy cult who prey on the weak and vulnerable and yes i have witnessed it first hand, the word tithing comes up aalot. This is just another programme that attempts to brainwash from just another cult. True belief does not come from following blindly those people who shove their views down your throat and shout out that if you do not believe you will go to hell. Well here is some biblical quotes that they should follow, Judge others lest you judge yourself. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, i could go on but i do not want to waste my breath :)

I watched this movie in the theater when it first came out. I loved this movie not only for the great songs it had like their famous song "oceans" but also that the movie is done in a more documentary style. If you are a fan of Hillsong Church and or their music, you will surely enjoy this movie. It is a spirit filled, encouraging film that will stir your faith through the ups and downs and grant you a fresh perspective of how God has moved, and continues to move to do bigger and greater works through the ministry of their church, proving that indeed, there is more.

I am so impressed that this group of young adults have dedicated their lives to bring Christ to a godless society. Their message has reached so many young people and they have changed lives - giving hope to so many. If people would only refocus their lives to the only truly important thing, how great this world would be simply by loving Jesus. Maybe we lost this message this Christmas season as this country is separated by the left or the right. What this movie reminds us is that neither the left or the right provides answers, they come from looking up. All these young adults want to do is to share the love of Jesus. Watching this movie was a great way to start 2017 and to look ahead at strengthening our relationship wit Jesus!

I've been listening to Hillsong United for some months now, and I must confess that by listening, and singing along I've been feeling closer to God. The movie was a great opportunity to meet the members of the band. If you never listened to the band just listen to their song Oceans, and you"ll get what I mean. Thank you Hillsong for helping me connect with Jesus.

This is a documentary that spends a lot of time informing its audience about the backgrounds of the titled worship group's members, their faith lives, families and the creative process. But it also gives a very real sense of what it must be like to see Hillsong United in concert, albeit without the full spiritual experience, which makes it worthwhile for fans of the group, praise and/or contemporary Christian music. While I was familiar with the group and many of its songs, I did not know (until after I watched this film, wondered why certain members weren't in it, and did some rudimentary research) that Hillsong has multiple worship 'teams' including Hillsong Worship, which is not represented in the movie (though there is some member and creative overlap). From its website, Hillsong United is "Committed to creating a musical expression that is almost uncomfortable in its uniqueness, our mission is to write songs that awaken churches and individuals to the fact that we are redeemed and called into the story of God". It is certainly evident in watching this documentary that the group is fulfilling its mission. There is also a fabulous sequence just 20+ minutes into the movie: a composite version of "Mighty to Save", which you can find on the group's Hillsong Movie youtube channel, that's not to be missed.

intimate look at the incredible ministry of a few people willing to humble themselves and their time and their talents to bring encouragement and hope and happiness to millions. The very personal interaction with the band members, families, and global fan base keeps the watcher's attention and begs the question, what am I doing - or can I do - right now to share a message of love and compassion? I'm pretty sure the band members are wearing the same outfit(s) for the entire movie; they live with in- laws/modest homes, and share vehicles - their attitudes, dress, language - how can one not want them to continue to share their message and to reach as many people as possible? Watch the movie with an open heart - it's more about the band members testimony and journey than about watching a live concert.

As a portrayal of hardworking group of musicians working for a church and depiction of their lives, this one is solid. I never knew when creating music you first set the tune and then add lyrics to it. The overall Christian faith - the faith in ones-self as working for god really exudes through the whole reel. It is like one of the senior pastors shown said their whole gig is based upon giving its followers a space of liveliness and they are doing it beautifully as skilled musicians or in the biblical words as some said to make feel the holy spirit that moves the earth, to open up people with sounds and emotions, it was also nice to see they have the right words when they need them.

The film is an emotive-styled documentary that follows the members of the band 'Hillsong United' as they prepare of the biggest concert of their careers. Sadly, the film has very little drama or conflict. Nor do I ever feel that anything is ever at stake. Yes, I understand it's a documentary and the filmmakers we're dependent on real life for there drama, so I sympathize with their situation, but they were tying to make a type of documentary that more interesting in engaging their viewers heart than head, and those type of docos are reliant upon more tradition fiction style of storytelling to be successful. This doco has very little drama or internal conflicts nor did I ever felt anything was at risk. In very general terms: stories are about people facing the biggest internal and external problems of there life. They use everything they have to overcome these problems and become better people in the process. This documentary is about people who have both internal and external conflicts (but don't worry, God will solve it) and use there skills (well, technically, it's not there skills but God working through them) and overcome really mild problems and they stay exactly the same as a results. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with doing that, just the act of pray and the action of an Omnipotent God doesn't translate too well to the visual medium of film. Also, God doesn't do anything too remarkable in the doco. I'm not here to debate the existence of God, but you get the feeling that if God didn't exist everything in the doco would have played out exactly the same. Nothing that happens the doco that non-Christians haven't already done without the aid of God. So, what's the big external problem of the film. Hillsong UNITED has to play the biggest concert of there careers and things aren't going to plan. They've had a late night bump-in, running on a few hours sleep and a couple of songs still need to be finish.... sounds like regular band stuff. It's drama but nothing so unique or interesting that it requires to be filmed and retold. What make things even less dramatic is when you realize they're probably playing to a very friendly Christian crowd and will overlook any mistakes. So from there we go back in time and learn about the origins of the church and the band. The majority of the doco focuses on the band members of Hillsong United. So, this is were we come to the other big problem. All the main character are pretty much the same. With mild exceptions they have the same backstory, motivations and problems. Plus, they all give similar types of answers, most of which are "God" and it never really gets explored past that. We then learn more about the main band members see them try and record a new album. They all seem like nice people but they come across being very 2-dimensional. The doco has once scene that jumps out and kinds of overshadows everything else. The head Pastor (Brian Huston) talks about when his father Frank (ex-head pastor) confessed to him about being a child molester, and having to fire him. I'm not blaming Brian for the actions of his father, but I am blaming for him not calling the police. It's unconscionable conduct. I don't think Hillsong (who produced the film) really understands how bad this scene plays out. This is a doco that didn't need to be made. It's not a story that's desperately needed to be told. It's an expensive promo video for Hillsong. That's probably not going to convert anyone (No one is getting past the whole 'not reporting the child molester' subplot). The doco feels like the equivalent of engaging in polite chit-chat with a person you meet at a party. They seem happy and nice but they conversation wares thin towards to end and you know for a fact you have no desire to ever talk to them again, but you wish them well in life.

I have just finished watching this, and man I have not felt so warm and fuzzy inside as a Christian for a long time! Man they sell their message well, their songs just rock me to my Christian core, but I just kept feeling it was all kinda staged, not real just somewhat rehearsed, well you don't have to look to deep into them and the dirt comes to the surface. What I am trying say here is, they have talent, sing some powerful stuff, but hey as a Christian knows, it is the best story ever told (or sold), but we also know many will miss use it, and I think after finding some things out about them, they are a very believable package, but fake. All up a good doco, makes you feel warm and fuzzy, even if you aren't a believer. Cult? yeah somewhat, but a wealthy one at that. Peace to all. 7/10 for me