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Last updated: 02 Jul 2026 at 23:32 UTC

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Review of by Tom R — 27 Nov 2011

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(3 Stars) How do I describe Soul Surfer... it's kind of like a big budget Fireproof with a pissed off shark. Kidding aside, this movie is really, really happy like it's had a mile of Pixy Stix powder.

The extreme surfin' family (parents played by Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt, who actually come off as believable surfers) seem like they're out of a travel advertisement. Then Bethany (AnnaSophia Robb) has her arm offed by a shark, which is unintentionally funny because it kind of reminds me of the end of any Scary Movie, where a car strikes a character out of nowhere.

I know I'm being pretty sardonic with this review, but it's a based on an inspirational true story movie and you've seen it before. Plus it's from the director of 3 Ninjas: High Noon on Mega Mountain.

.. I'm not sure if I can forgive Sean McNamara for that movie. BUT this movie is good for the family and has a few positives. It has a good cast (Quaid, Hunt, Kevin Sorbo... yes, Hercules), the general cinematography, especially the surfing scenes, would look unbelievable in IMAX, and it's an unoffensive family film with an inspirational message.

Just don't expect Soul Surfer to be a whole lot different than other movies like it.

This review of Soul Surfer (2011) was written by on 27 Nov 2011.

Soul Surfer has generally received positive reviews.

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