Trust me. I know. Demi Moore? What was I thinking? Hello? Michael Biehn was what I was thinking. At least that's the original reason I went to see The Seventh Sign way back in the olden days known as my collegiate years.
And while there are plenty of action oriented impending apocalypse movies out there, The Seventh Sign stands out as the chick flick of the bunch. But that's okay, because it also means that more time is spent on the really cool story rather than big explosions. Not that I mind big explosions, but sometimes a girl needs more. And when that more involves Michael Biehn? Well...
Abby (Demi Moore) and Russell (Michael Biehn) Quinn, are expecting a bouncing, baby boy with the rare due date of February 29th. The only problem is... well, it's the end of the world. God has finally grown sick of mankind's cruelty and unwillingness to change and is allowing the end of days to draw near. To make matters worse, Abby has miscarried before and having been so distraught, had tried to kill herself. She's not exactly in a stable place if you know what I mean.
Posing as David Bannon (Jurgen Prochnow), Jesus (yeah, that Jesus) rents the garage apartment behind Abby and Russell's house, ostensibly to watch over the pregnant woman as she plays an essential part in the seventh and final sign before the end of the world. Luckily for mankind, Abby is nosy and starts poking around in David's things. When she comes across a scroll with mysterious symbols on it. The only writing that she can understand is the numbers across the top, 2-29. You know, as in her baby's due date?
Sensing that something is wrong, Abby enlists the aid of Avi (Manny Jacobs), a young Jewish man who has studied an ancient Hebrew code. With his help, she realizes that this mysterious man has something to do with the signs and portents that aren't just in the Book of Revelation, but happening all around them as well.
A confrontation with David confirms her suspicions. He also reveals that she carries the seventh and final sign. Her baby will be the first child born after the Hall of Souls in Heaven is empty and will therefore be stillborn. After a crisis of faith, Abby goes on the offensive and desperately tries to find a way to stop one of the remaining "signs" so that her baby and the world might be saved.
As I mentioned before, this isn’t a big action flick with the female lead kicking ass and taking names. And sure Abby spends a lot of time crying and being highly upset, which is usually a quick turn off. However, for most of the movie she’s not just standing around and taking shit either. Despite her pregnancy, Abby takes an active part in the investigation and truly extends herself in trying to solve such a tremendous... well, problem. What she learns in the end is that salvation lies in active hope, faith, and sacrifice. Trés cool.
DROOL FACTOR: Did I mention that Michael Biehn is in this movie? Okay, so he's not in uniform, but he's still Michael Biehn.
GROSS-OUT FACTOR: Well, maybe not gross out, but killing an elderly priest? Man, that's just wrong.
STRONG CHICK FACTOR: There are all types of strength and Abby displays what is the most difficult kind of all. Despite all that she knows, despite all of the horror in the world, she has hope.
-- Linda M. Najera
The Seventh Sign is currently available on video.
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