I already considered myself a good dad. After watching this movie, I want to be a great dad. Sherwood Baptist Church hits another homerun with this fantastic film! It is remarkable and inspiring. This successor to “Flywheel”, “Facing the Giants”, and “Fireproof” ups the action factor in presenting a movie that dads and moms and older kids will relate to. It’s hard to imagine any family member not taking something worthwhile away from this film.
Alex Kendrick stars in the movie as well as directs. He plays Adam Mitchell, a law enforcement officer who is close to two other officers, David Thomson and Shane Fuller. He then becomes good friends with the new man on the block, Officer Nathan Hayes. The film’s opening sequence features a muscle-bound hoodlum attempting to steal Nathan’s truck. Nathan runs and leaps up and grabs ahold of the thief through the open driver’s window and refuses to let go. It is not just because he loves his truck. I won’t give the opening away but the viewer will soon learn why he is so determined to stop the would-be thief.
This film has plenty of action (a positive factor for many male viewers) including a few shoot-outs and also well dramatized domestic scenes. Mitchell’s daughter Emily knows her dad loves her but sometimes he feels a bit funny about doing such things as dancing with her when she makes the request. His son Dylan feels left out and withdraws into his own world, running and playing video games. It takes a tragic event to open the eyes of several characters to what are the most important things in life.
This film projects themes of forgiveness, stepping up to fill the proper role of being a dad (and parent) and a faith in God which cannot be shaken. In one nicely orchestrated scene, a certain character is out of work and desperate. While he is praying he walks right into a miracle. You will have to see it to appreciate it. This movie gives us great lines to ponder like, “God doesn’t promise us an explanation, but to walk with us through the pain.”
This story had me sniffling and fighting back tears and I wasn’t the only guy in the room battling that situation. I also laughed out loud a few times. It’s not every picture that can elicit those kinds of responses and emotions. This movie must be seen by every single family in America. It’s that awesome! We proudly award Five Doves to COURAGEOUS, our highest rating and compliment.