CAP Report MAR-0061, MICHAEL (1996)

ChildCare Action Project:
Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP)

Entertainment Media Analysis Report
MAR-0061
Michael (1996)
PG
CAP Score: 84
CAP ID: 0.29

Thomas A. Carder
CAP President

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Michael (1996) was a relatively gentle movie about an angel performing his last of 26 "good deeds" on earth by bringing a couple together. HOWEVER, the angel (John Travolta) was no angel at all. The angel was portrayed as having the power to resurrect, as being a vulgar bum, and as being subject to death. Angels are couriers of God's Word and Works and thus can be no less than perfect. They do not have the power to resurrect - only God has that power. And angels are neither born nor do they die let alone reappear after death that doesn't happen.

On the surface, Michael seems tame enough, but it is a 90s movie. It portrays overnight No-Tell Motel escapades, drinking, and vulgar mannerisms as acceptable. While this movie is not as likely to terribly influence the impressionable about morals and values as do more graphic movies, it is a nearly invisible distortion of the Truth. And therein is the subtle impact in the entertainment media on how Spiritual matters are perceived. It is difficult enough to teach young kids the Truth as presented in the Scriptures without movies like this setting up another barrier we as parents must tear down so the kids may get to the Truth.

If you must see this movie with your children (any age), be prepared to quickly explain that angels do not have the power to resurrect anything let alone dogs, that angels are neither born nor do they die, and that angels are likely more respectable and wholesome since they are representatives appointed by the Holy Father. On a more empirical level, be prepared to explain the wrongness of the sexual freedom and irresponsibility and the violent manner of settling disputes expressed in this movie.

The Wanton Violence/Crime (W) score sufferred due to fistfighting. Impunity/Hate⁽¹⁾ (I) lost points due to blunt language and vulgar expression. Sex/Homosexuality (S) discovered unmarried couples sharing a No-Tell Motel room overnight, unmarried couples in bed, inappropriate touching, sexual references, and wrapping legs around a kissing partner. The Drugs/Alcohol (D) score suffered due to somewhat frequent drinking. Offense to God⁽²⁾ (O) was slammed seriously due to the distortion of the Truth named above. Murder/Suicide⁽³⁾ (M) was completely free of unacceptable material.

Below is the table showing the scoring in each of the Investigation Areas plus the Final Score drawn from the actual CAP Report. In addition, the CAP Influence Density (ID) figure for the movie and the number of examples per hour of unacceptable material in each of the Investigation Areas is provided.

Michael (1996) CAP Scorecard

In accordance with the comparative baseline data, Michael presented material equivalent to G-rated material in Wanton Violence/Crime, Impunity/Hate, Drugs/Alcohol, and Murder/Suicide. The CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model revealed Michael equivalent to the comparative basline databse PG-rated movies in Sex/Homosexuality and Offense to God. Thus, Michael was equivalent to the comparative baseline data corresponding to 66% G-rated material and 33% PG-rated material.

(1) As noted in CAP Special Report-001, "Investigation Area and Scoring Trend", of the six CAP Investigation Areas, Impunity/Hate was the strongest presence in all four movie classifications. It has a strong revelation about the entertainment media.

(2) The use of the three/four letter word vocabulary without God's name is incorporated into the Impunity/Hate Investigation Area. The use of God's name with or without the three/four letter word vocabulary is incorporated into the Offense to God Investigation Area. There is no dupication. As required of the Holy Scriptures, unless God's name is used with reverence to His glory and praise, its use is considered in vain, whether literal or euphemistic.

(3) Only portrayal of successful murder or suicide are incorporated into Murder/Suicide. Presentation of attempts to commit murder or suicide, deaths by police action, and deaths by war are incorporated into Wanton Violence/Crime.

Please remember we believe that if even one of the six Investigation Area scores for a movie is equivalent to the CAP comparative baseline databse scoring range for R, PG-13, or PG material, the entire movie should be regarded as so rated. For example, if only Wanton Violence/Crime earns a score equivalent to R but all other Investigation Areas earn a score equivalent to G, THERE IS R-RATED MATERIAL IN THE MOVIE AND YOUR KIDS WILL SEE IT AND HEAR IT IF THEY WATCH THE MOVIE!

Additional reviews of this movie may be located at "Movie Review Query Engine at Telerama."

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