Review of Courageous (2011) by Gail H — 20 Jan 2012

I can appreciate what Alex Kendrick and his team are trying to do with their series of Christian-based films. I can see with this latest effort that they are really trying to expand their audience and not just preach to the choir here.

Sadly, the choir is probably the only people that are willing to watch this type of film. It starts out promising, it is clear the acting won't be as cheesy and the production budget seems much higher.

The camera work is more impressive and overall Kendrick has become much more confident as a director. The downside is that it feels like it goes on, and on. The main revelation for our main character doesn't come until nearly 45 minutes in and after that it feels like another movie is attached.

It is all well and good to let your audience get to know your characters but with so much going on here it begins to feel overcrowded and by the time the shoot out ending finally comes around you are still making sure you saw a resolution to all the other story lines.

Fear not though, because if you missed anything Kenrick tacks on a sermon at the end that summarizes the entire film and everything it is attempting to teach. Here in lies the problem with these films though and their problem if they really want to reach a broader audience.

You have served your message with the execution of the plot that has been set up and the story you have told. There is no need to reenforce your point by shoving it down peoples throats as if they were in church.

People go to movies as a source of entertainment and yes, we occasionally get to take away more from a film that has a significant impact on us. "Courageous" offers some genuinely touching moments and is not as pressing as its directors earlier efforts, but Kendrick and his ministry still have a little to learn before they can craft a film that speaks to both the choir and the undecided.