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At the studio's official site, producer Matthew Crouch defended his decision to release the film

So as to be sensitive to a grieving nation, we have examined the possibility of delaying the release of Megiddo. After much staff prayer and consultation with pastors, we are convinced that we must stay on schedule to release Megiddo around the world. The overwhelming consensus is that we are releasing a movie containing an answer to the question that we did not even know would be asked. … Who could have foreseen that it would be a motion picture that rallies the resiliency and determination of the American people in the midst of catastrophe?

Critical responses failed to support Crouch's claim that Megiddo is rallying "the resiliency and determination of the American people." Mainstream critics almost ignored the film. John Monaghan's review at The Detroit Free Press and The Seattle Times writes, "While devoid of graphic violence and sex, Megiddo is just as pandering to its own demographic. It's an action movie by the numbers, though in this case the numbers are chapter and verse from the book of Revelations."

Megiddo introduces us to a boy named Stone (as in "a heart of … ") who is chosen by the devil to be the "vessel" of evil. He matures into an Antichrist and a strong candidate for Dictator of the World, drawing nations into his influence so he can conquer the world. There's a problem, though. His brother is the Vice-President of the U.S. and the leader of the opposition. So the brothers' political and spiritual face-off sets up Armageddon, which plays out as a spectacular conflict in the Middle East.

In spite of the film's emphasis on biblical prophecy, religious media reviewers were divided. Preview's John Evans concludes, "Audiences are likely to be mesmerized by this Biblical-themed action thriller. Megiddo proves that PG-13 films can be produced which are acceptable for teens and adults." Likewise, Holly McClure at The Dove Foundation raves, "While it may not compare (in some areas) to the bigger budgeted films, it still delivers a story with a convincing (and sometimes convicting) spiritual message. In light of the recent, tragic war on America, that message seems more plausible than ever before."

But some conservative Christian media sites are a bit taken aback by the release. "One wonders … whether Christians should be releasing this kind of movie at this time," says a critic at Movieguide. "Do we really need to whip up fanatical support for ill-conceived American interference in Middle Eastern politics?" The reviewer spells out ways in which the film falls short: "The biggest problem … is with the script's mostly uninspiring dialogue and awkward, hurried dramatic structure. The amateurish script drags down the characterization and drama inherent in the basic story. Still, Megiddo plainly shows that victory over evil is best achieved when people turn to God. In fact, the scenes demonstrating the power of God in times of great need are among the best scenes in the movie."

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September (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45