Review of Hardflip (2012) by Eric S — 30 Jul 2012

"Hardflip" is no different than your typical Christian film. It's cliche, stereotypical, predictable, and boring. The director doesn't deal with his themes subtly and instead shoves them your face. I prefer themes to be underlying in films; having them spoon-fed to you detracts from the story and makes the film more of a propaganda. Which this is.

Here's the case with most Christian films: Main character is not a Christian. Said character is going through some rough times. He/she gets introduced to God and is skeptical at first. Character eventually accepts God and everyone's happy. This formula gets old really fast. First off, I have met people who have overcome obstacles without God. I know people who are not Christians and are perfectly happy. "Hardflip" makes it out that if you're not a Christian then you're some punk who has no direction in life and likes to get drunk all the time. Seriously? Grow up Johnny Remo. I know Christians that act the same way.

The film portrays people so stereotypically that it makes the director come off as ignorant and out of touch with real world. Remo is so determined in getting his 'life changing' message across that he forgets to create people that are genuine and real. His other film "Cutback" is even worse, and the cliches are so obvious that it will make you cringe.