Courageous Movie Review

We were originally due to watch Courageous at a special preview with our Christian radio station on Wednesday 9/21, but my grandpa's visitation ended up being that day, so obviously we couldn't make it.

So we were chomping at the bit to get to the theatre to see it Friday night, but due to traffic woes we missed the showing we'd planned to go to. After a long couple of weeks, I couldn't make myself go to the late night showing. We ended up at the 1 pm showing on Saturday at the movie theatre we love, and it was in one of their biggest theatres! We were so excited, but while that theatre holds hundreds, only about 10-15 or so were there. Bummer. We really want this movie to do well so we can prove to Hollywood that family-friendly movies ARE loved & enjoyed & well-received by Americans!! {It ended up doing well, I think we just happened to be at a slow time-showing in the middle of a beautiful day....}

Unfortunately, due to a few issues {read specifics here}, Courageous is rated PG-13. It's still way more family-friendly than Hollywood-based movies, but I wanted you to be aware of this.

But trust me, GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!! It was amazing!

If it means you have to drive out of your way, hire a babysitter, or reschedule something so you can get there soon - do it. You will not regret it.

Courageous is brought to you by the same people who wrote, produced, and directed Facing the Giants and Fireproof. It's evident throughout that the moviemakers at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia, stay true to their convictions and the Gospel.

They continue to improve on their cinematography, directing, and acting skills. The main two lead actors are incredible - both of them are real-life pastors at this church, and they've both grown in their acting skills since the previous movies. There are a couple of scenes where the lack of acting and direction is evident, but for volunteers I still think they do an amazing job! Granted, I realize this would drive my friend Brian absolutely bonkers, but I still think he should go see it {ahem... hint, hint B}!!!

Plot summary:
Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, they face danger every day. Yet when tragedy strikes close to home, these fathers are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, and their faith. From this struggle will come a decision that changes all of their lives. With action, drama, and humor, the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures embraces God's promise to "turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers." Souls will be stirred, and hearts will be challenged to be ... courageous!
Read more here. 

Through the lessons these men learn, I walked away having learned some things and I'm definitely not a father! The usual hilarious scenes are there {some where you nearly fall over it's soooo funny!}, but this one is more moving and powerful than any of their other movies so far. Bring kleenex's to the theatre for sure!!!

No matter where you're at in life, or what your relationship was/is like with your own father, this is a movie you won't want to miss. It is an incredibly powerful, convicting, Christ-honoring, Gospel-presenting, funny, tearful, delightful, very well-done movie that will surely impact generations to come. We highly, highly recommend everyone go see it! We loved, loved, loved it!

The opening weekend box office numbers are in, here's the scoop. For more good stuff, and more cohesive thoughts in a much better way than I could ever say them, check out Trevin Wax's thoughts here.

Watch part of the powerful opening scene here:



And the I-can't-stop-watching-or-listening-to-it music video {although sadly this song is only a part of the final credits in the movie}:




*To be clear, I did not receive any compensation for this review, nor did anyone ask me to write it, I just loved it so much I wanted to share!*