Courageous (2011)

Best movie ever!

An action-packed slog

A Major Disappointment

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

In this film, faith changes the lives of four policemen who try to become role models for their children. It's one of the so-called "Christian movies", made by US evangelical Christians to propagandize their ideas. The central idea is that a good Christian should also be a modeling husband and father, but this applies to any husband and father, regardless of religion. It's a matter of common sense rather than religion, although the doctrine of many religions points that direction. Thus, this film isn't likely to offend the religious sensibilities of most non-evangelical audiences, despite the discreet, but always present and boring, evangelical propaganda. In fact, the film's worst is the insistence on biblical quotations, pastors and the whole evangelical environment, surely unpleasant to anyone who doesn't belong to this faction of Christianity. Most of the film is spent building the characters and their familiar environment but this turns it excessively warm, still and long. There are some good action scenes but it's best not to watch it only for seeing that. What we have here, basically, is a good film with a moralizing background but that displeases by it's high religious charge. If it were cleaner or if it sought to cover other denominations that have the same mindset (Catholics, Anglicans, Jews or Muslims etc.) it would have been more digestible.

Alex stars and acts as screenwriter and scriptwriter of this Christian film that deals with paternity.Courageous tells a story about four law enforcement officers - Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, David Thomson, and Shane Fuller - together with a worker named Javier that deals with fatherhood issues in their respective families.Things begin to change as they started to provide attention to it when Adam's young daughter passed away.They started to put things into perspective by becoming close to the Lord and provide more time with their respective families particularly the needs of their children.No question about it that this is a film solely for believers. Non- Christians will definitely fail to appreciate it considering that issues dealing with fatherhood was resolved through fostering a better relationship with the Lord.Also,we get to see a lot of issues being tackled that the story becomes over-plotted that the resolution of the conflicts becomes primarily having trust in the Lord and spending more time with him just as they spend more time with their family amidst their busy schedules.But nevertheless,it is still a good film as it encourages fathers to be responsible.

The first 10 minutes I really enjoyed, but it all went down hill from there. This was the first Kendrick Brothers film I have seen, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. It slyly passed itself as a regular run-of-the- mill drama but in all reality it is nothing more than a Christian movie...too preachy and predictable. The acting and screenplay wasn't the biggest problem I had. Let me first say again the car jacking in the beginning was fantastic, but after that, the acting was too stiff and forced, robotic like. Secondly, how stereotypical for their Mexican- American friend to be a poor construction worker with a thick Spanglish accent. And also that youths are bad because they don't have fathers...plenty of "thugs" had fathers, get over yourselves. Third, from what I understand of Christianity, the Christian god is not a genie, the film (along with other Kendrick Brothers I've seen after this) portrays their god like such: "If I pray, God will give me this." No, that's not how the real world works, if you want something work for it. The movie has an unrealistic approach, right down to the dialog. Though I am not religious, I wanted to like this film for its potential, but I couldn't bring myself to liking it. You either love the message of the movie or it is nails on a chalkboard.

G'day All, Firstly, we are sometimes quick to judge or condemn others for bad acting, or bad movies, Try being in their shoes and do better. They are NOT professional actors. They are church members trying to convey a message to the viewing public of God's message to others. I liked the movie and hit home for me as being a former soldier on the front line, plus being an X bike club member so I know what they are going through. Give them a fair go or don't condemn or say they are bad acting. TRY to do better yourself. I've bought the other 3 DVD movies that this church has put together so that "we" may understand what they are trying to say to our hearts in all the underlying message from these movies. Good on you Sherwood Pictures, and keep up the great work. Kev.