SOUL SURFER - A review

 This weekend, the movie Soul Surfer opened across the country.  I had the priviledge of going to see this movie.  During the previews they showed a lot of movies that look faith-based.  That in itself is exciting!  But the most exciting was the movie itself.

Jeremiah 29:11
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
The film is about pro surfer, Bethany Hamilton.  Seven years ago, she was practicing her surfing when a shark attacked her and tore off her arm.  It was a dramatic scene.  If it wasn’t for her coach, and her will to live, she possibly could have died.  This also showed Bethany’s faith.  She and her family are centered in Christ and I was so happy to see how the movie depicted this part of their lives. Bethany, even though she was injured in a great way, didn’t let it this derail her for long.  She questioned God’s plan for her and her ability.
I went in to this movie with high expectations for several reasons.  First, I had been hearing a lot about this movie from K-Love.  Second, I get excited when I hear that a movie isn’t trying so sugar-coat God.  Third, I expected a quality movie from this cast.  What I received was all three items and more!  Soul Surfer was an amazing movie that I cried through.  Let me say, that I didn’t blubber, but for me, this was an emotional movie.  I’m not sure why.  I knew going in what was going to happen.  Bethany probably has spent half of her life in the ocean, so each time they showed her in the water, I was trying to be ready for the attack.  It still took me by surprise.  This movie focuses on Bethany and her family, but it also showed other things, how her best friend dealt with the horrific event, how going to Thailand on a mission trip after her attack, and how hard she fought to come back to competing in the surf world.
This movie is one for the whole family.  It’s not a chick flick by any means, it is a movie that moves you to discuss how overcoming tragedies, set backs, and realizing that God is in control affects each of us.  This movie even has a devotional that you can use with small group studies.  This is one movie that I can whole heartedly recommend.  We had a four year old go to the movie and understood most of it, to 40-something’s who just marvelled and identified over how the parents dealt with their daughter’s attack.  This little movie needs the support of churches and Christians around the world, so go see it.  I insist!