Hillsong: Let Hope Rise

Summary

Hillsong: Let Hope Rise is a 2016 American Christian documentary film on Hillsong United directed by Michael John Warren. The film was released on 16 September 2016, by Pure Flix Entertainment after several delays.

Hillsong: Let Hope Rise
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMichael John Warren
Produced by
  • Jonathon Bock
  • Ben Field
  • Matthew Weaver
Starring
CinematographyCameron Glendenning
Edited byEdward A. Bishop
Music byHillsong United
Production
companies
  • Cantinas Entertainment
  • Grace Hill Media
  • MediaWeaver Entertainment
Distributed byPure Flix Entertainment
Release date
  • 16 September 2016 (2016-09-16)
Running time
103 minutes[3]
CountryUnited States[1][2]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$10 million[4]
Box office$2.6 million[1]

Synopsis edit

The film chronicles the unlikely rise to prominence of the Australia-based Christian band Hillsong United.[5][6] Their music is so popular it is estimated that on any given Sunday, more than 50 million churchgoers around the world are singing their songs.[7] The film follows an event that took place on 23 October 2014 at the Forum arena in Los Angeles with 17,000 people attending, and moments preceding the concert with the creation of new songs featured on Empires (2015).[8]

Soundtrack edit

Hillsong: Let Hope Rise - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released as the film's soundtrack on 12 August 2016 under Hillsong Music, Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group.[9] The soundtrack features songs from Hillsong United, as well as Hillsong's Worship and Young & Free divisions.

Track listing edit

Standard edition[10]
No.TitleWriter(s)Worship leaderLength
1."With Everything" (Hillsong United, Live at The Forum)Joel HoustonJoel Houston9:35
2."Touch the Sky" (Hillsong United, Live at The Forum)Michael Guy Chislett, Houston, Dylan ThomasTaya Smith4:48
3."Mighty to Save" (Hillsong United, Live in Miami)Ben Fielding, Reuben MorganJoel Houston5:22
4."Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" (Hillsong United, Live at The Forum)Matt Crocker, Houston, Salomon LigthelmTaya Smith8:56
5."This I Believe (The Creed)" (Hillsong Worship, No Other Name)Crocker, FieldingMatt Crocker6:42
6."Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)" (Hillsong Worship, No Other Name)Houston, Jonas MyrinTaya Smith7:12
7."Aftermath" (Hillsong United, Live at The Forum)HoustonJoel Houston8:32
8."Break Free" (Hillsong United, Live in Miami)Crocker, Houston, Scott LigertwoodJonathon Douglass4:06
9."Relentless" (Hillsong United, Live at The Forum)Crocker, HoustonJonathon Douglass, Taya Smith4:27
10."Hosanna" (Hillsong United, Live at The Forum)Brooke LigertwoodTaya Smith6:32
11."The Stand" (Hillsong United, Live at The Forum)HoustonJoel Houston, Jad Gillies7:08
12."Forever Reign" (Hillsong Worship, A Beautiful Exchange)Jason Ingram, MorganJad Gillies6:16
13."Back to Life" (Hillsong Young & Free, We Are Young & Free)Joel Davies, Aodhan KingMelodie Wagner4:21
14."Arise" (Hillsong United, Zion)Steven Robertson, Ryan TaubertJoel Houston3:15
Total length:87:12

Charts edit

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[11] 94

Release edit

Directed by Michael John Warren, the film was originally supposed be released by Warner Bros. during the 2015 Easter weekend.[12] In March 2015, Relativity Media obtained the distribution rights and the film shifted to a 29 May release.[13] In April, Relativity moved the film to 30 September 2015.[14] However, after Relativity Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the film was moved to an unknown release date. The film was later picked up by Pure Flix Entertainment and the film was released on 16 September 2016.[3]

Reception edit

Box office edit

The film made $1.4 million from 816 theaters in its opening weekend, which was considered low, with Deadline Hollywood saying "we've seen [documentaries] make this much money on half the number of screens".[15]

Critical response edit

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 60%, based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 6.04/10.[16] On Metacritic, the film received a weighted average score of 43 out of 100, based on six critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[2] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while those at PostTrak gave it an overall positive score of 90%.[15]

Nick Olszyk of Catholic World Report gave it his highest rating of five reels, saying it "renewed [my] courage to face my trails." He also said their performance of Oceans was "as good as anything by Bach, Handel, or the great anonymous monastics of the Middle Ages."[17]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Hillsong: Let Hope Rise". The Numbers. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Hillsong - Let Hope Rise reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Hillsong - Let Hope Rise (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  4. ^ Williams, Trey. "'Blair Witch' tries to live up to 1999 original and continue horror films' success". MarketWatch. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
  5. ^ Frank Scheck, hollywoodreporter.com, 'Hillsong: Let Hope Rise': Film Review, USA, 18 September 2016
  6. ^ Kevin Crust, latimes.com, Music doc 'Hillsong — Let Hope Rise' preaches to the choir and the curious alike, USA, 15 September 2016
  7. ^ "Hillsong: Let Hope Rise: Plot Summary". IMDb. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  8. ^ Murashko, Alex (26 October 2014). "17,000 Hillsong Fans Unite for Concert Filming Event in Los Angeles". The Christian Post. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Hillsong – Let Hope Rise – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Capitol Christian Music Group. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  10. ^ "Hillsong: Let Hope Rise [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  11. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #390". auspOp. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  12. ^ McNary, Dave (1 July 2014). "Hillsong Christian Music Documentary Picked Up for Worldwide Release by Warner Bros". Variety. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  13. ^ Mike Fleming Jr (4 March 2015). "Relativity To Release Faith-Based Film 'Hillsong–Let Hope Rise'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  14. ^ Pedersen, Erik (1 April 2015). "'Transporter Refueled' & 'Hillsong – Let Hope Rise' Moved: See You In September". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  15. ^ a b "'Sully' Burns 'Blair Witch', 'Bridget Jones' & 'Snowden' At The Box Office Stake – Friday Evening Update". Deadline Hollywood.
  16. ^ "Hillsong - Let Hope Rise (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandago. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  17. ^ Olszyk, Nick. "The Greatest Compliment". Catholic Cinema Crusade. Retrieved 12 October 2016.

External links edit