9 n

Gabriel is a masterpiece film. I own the Blu-ray release. I have watched NA blockbuster films at the theaters for decades. Gabriel is one film that I did not get the chance to watch in a full theater format during its release. I wish I had the chance. I watch this film at least a few times each year. It is my favorite film of all time, and it is the film I revisit the most - more than any other film in my library. There are many modern "dystopian reality" fiction films, like The Matrix and many more. I usually find the characters from these other films to be very surface, and bland. They refuse to give up more information about themselves with sequential showings, and so they have no more to give than just that: one fancy showing. Gabriel does not suffer from the malady of "shoot first, act later" that hyped films like The Matrix and others suffered from. In Gabriel, the characters are intense, without being over the top. They produce enough emotion and interest on their own and they become memorable. They have their own motivations, and loyalty is not all that it seems. I find myself searching within eyes and words throughout each showing to find the wellspring of inner emotions and nuance that gushes from each character's lines and behaviors. After seeing unjust reviews for this film, I had to post one from a Blu-ray owner's perspective. When I watch Gabriel, I use the PotPlayer Windows OS application with LAV codecs for Audiophile and Videophile decoding of the audio and video streams from Blu-ray disc, with all possible transform/filter/DSP settings turned off. Aside from my fanboy opinions, Gabriel offers quality, unique action sequences, a no-frills story arc (no pun intended) and a palette of unique characters with depth. Gabriel keeps a quick pace from start to finish, but does not leave the viewer behind. Sequences and scenes are acted out to completion, and never feel rushed, or unfinished. The film itself gives a strong nod to the "question of life" and tells a beautifully woven story about one Arc's journey through the process of "life." Gabriel hits way above the budget it was given and earns its place in my library as my favorite film of all time. If it was truly a 150,000$ budget film like other reviewers claim it was, then the entire film industry should reference Gabriel as an example of how to make a powerful film with powerful acting regardless of the budget involved. Gabriel reminds us that iconic actors and writers do still exist in this industry, but only perhaps if they starve enough!? From start to finish, Gabriel has me on the edge of my seat, waiting for the hammer to fall. Note: Shane Abbess, thank you for this amazing film.