Facing the Giants

Okay I understand this a preachy and churchy movie , but what y'all need to understand from it's even if you don't believe in god you can stil have "faith" and dedicate toward a goal, like actually do what you need to do with the mindset that things will work it out, because hard work and discipline make a difference, think about it. The coach got "rewarded" because people acknowledged him and his efforts, and if you grew up on a church family you relate a lot. Also really good acting, allowing the emotions to flow through the screen.

Facing The Giants is a "feel good" movie. As I type those words, I can't help but think, "OK, I've just alienated at least half the readers from seeing the movie". A "feel good" movie doesn't have to translate to pure sap. Think Rocky more than Steel Magnolias. Although even that comparison is lacking, because similarities between Giants and Rocky or Rudy or for that matter any other "come from behind" sports movies also come up short. One thing is for sure, no one viewing Giants will miss the Christian content, and that difference alone makes the film unique. But that's not the only thing that sets this film apart. The fact that it was made mostly by volunteer amateurs from Albany, Georgia's Sherwood Baptist Church-for $100,000-is a testimony to what people can do when they passionately believe in something. That alone makes this a truly "inspiring" film! The story focuses on Coach Grant Taylor (played by writer, director, and Sherwood associate pastor Alex Kendrick), whose Shiloh Christian Academy football team hasn't had a winning season in six years. After losing a star player to another team, things are looking down for the Shiloh Eagles, and school board members begin to consider showing Taylor the door. The coach is having a bad year for sure. He drives a beat up car, his house smells like something died, and worst of all-he and wife discover they can't have children of their own. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) board that hands out movie ratings says that it was in fact this pregnancy theme that earned Giants it's PG rating. Don't be concerned by this "adult" topic-it's handled very appropriately for the whole family. On the "family" topic: yes you can the kids. My recommendation would be ages 8 and up, only because younger children may be bored with the football and "personal crisis" themes. But there is no sexual content or profanity, and violence is limited to football tackles. By the way, the football action looks great, thanks to one of the paid crew members, cinematographer Bob Scott. He's worked with the amazing NFL films as well as Friday Night Lights and many others. This is a very good film for the family-I actually think that's what this movie was made for. I can see families going out to eat after the movie and discussing some of the themes (trust in God, respecting your parents). If my son was older, I would be taking him to see it for sure. The movie could truly have a positive impact on kids-as opposed to the mindless entertainment they are often subjected to. As the story unfolds, Taylor reaches a breaking point, and decides that all he can do is trust the Lord for guidance. He tells his team, "If we win, we praise him and if we lose we praise him". Most adults won't be too surprised where the films goes after that-however I think kids in the audience will be delighted-and maybe inspired-by the turn of events. Let me go back to the "pure sap" comment for a moment. Some people may think this film is the definition of "sap" as the story progresses. I didn't see it that way. As a Christian, I have seen God turn around impossible situations-so for me, I was thinking "yeah, God can do that". So does Giants show us that when the chips are down, all we have to do is pray and things change immediately? Alex Kendrick talks about this in an interview with Christianity Today: "That's always the first negative comment we get after our test screenings. I'm not a name-it-and-claim-it guy; I think God does allow us to struggle." However I understand where Kendrick is coming from when he goes on to say, "We ended up with our story for two reasons: Number one, we had seen it happen around us. And number two, it's a movie and we wanted people to leave inspired and encouraged." We had seen it happen around us. Giants is a reflection of that. If you're like me, you will "feel good" at the end of the movie. That's not a bad thing! Go see this movie-and take the kids.

Well, this movie was a shock to see and to hear. Among the thousands of mainline films I have watched over many years, this is the first I've seen with a modern-day story that was unapologetically Christian. It actually used Jesus and God's name as you would hear in a sermon in church. Of course, the fact that "Hollywood" didn't make this film is understandable; it was produced, directed, written, etc., by a Baptist church in Georgia.

But - surprise - it's available in good quantities at the video stores and actually has the production values of a big-budget Hollywood film. In other words, this looks nice and, for the most part, is adequately acted even though amateurs do the acting. The only one I thought sounded wooden, unfortunately, was Alex Kendrick playing the main character: coach Grant Taylor, the Shiloh Christian High School football coach. Kendrik directed and wrote this film, so kudos to him for all that wonderful work....but an actor, he ain't. Real-life University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt makes a guest appearance and he sounded very relaxed and convincing, as a professional actor would sound. They should have given Richt the main role!

Yes, the story is hokey, especially at the end at the last football game, but what Hollywood movie isn't? It's just a little far-fetched to anyone who knows football. At any rate, the action scenes were well-done and very realistic looking.

To see a movie with this many inspirational and profound Biblical statements was a "revelation" and really nice to see (hear). Hokey or not, there are several moments in this film that should drive most viewers to tears. If not, check your pulse.

The main message of the movie: "All things are possible with God," is a good one and one everyone, including Christians, need to be reminded of periodically. Secular people who don't want to hear anything positive about God or the Bible, or who are just plain biased against Christians, will hate this film and wouldn't last 30 minutes watching it. I have a very good friend who is in that category and I couldn't recommend the film to him, because he'd be in the bathroom puking his guts out after a half hour. However, if you are more tolerant, or are a follower Of Jesus Christ, then you will find this film inspiring and emotional and worth your time.

There are enough things wrong with this movie that I should rate it a 2 but I love this movie so much I can overlook the flaws very easily. I've seen it so many times I've now lost count. First, what's wrong with this movie.

1.) With the exception of the main character, there are very few women in the picture. Grant Taylor has a wife, there is a teacher and there also is a clinic featuring 2 women but other than that, none of the boys seem to have a mother. Matt has a father as does David but neither boy has a "mom," although David's father does wear a wedding ring. A small point but a mighty one.

2.) The African-American coach is one step above "Steppin Fetchit" or "Amos & Andy." He talks in a rather lazy fashion and seems a little bit slow although he isn't. When he gives David a "unique" way of remembering how to get the ball in between the goal posts or when he keeps up with Larry, his coaching partner, in a game of one-upsmanship of famous names, you see how intelligent he is but for much of the movie, he seems to be a bit of a doofus. In this day and age of political correctness, it's NOT a good idea to portray an African-American character as slow or dim-witted.

3.) Coach Taylor's hair. C'mon, guys, you could have done better with the front of his hair than what we see. It makes the coach look stupid, dorky - kind of like a Jim Carrey character.

Now, what's Right about this movie:

1.) God. There is lots of "God Talk" in this movie and I don't mind. This is a fundamentalist Christian view of God and may seem somewhat simplistic but it works, at least in this movie. Too bad real life isn't that easy (trust God and you'll get what you want). I'm Roman Catholic but I found the "God parts" very inspirational, although somewhat hokey at times. 2.) The acting. While it's not Laurence Olivier in "Hamlet," you really believe Alex Kendrick as Coach Taylor and Shannen Field as Brooke. Some scenes are heartbreaking and others are very funny. But all in all, it's a delightful pairing of 2 obvious believers. 3.) Let's face it, some of those young football players are CUTE, especially David and Zach. Clean-cut, with short hair and decent clothes (David even wears a tie to the final game!) without looking like nerds or geeks. That's refreshing.

All in all, I love this movie. Ii'm not a football fanatic and so I fast-forward some of those scenes. Other readers have pointed out football mistakes; I wouldn't know and I really don't care. To me, this movie isn't so much about football as it is about faith. It would be far worse if the mistakes were in faith instead of football. When I find myself feeling down and this movie is on, I watch it and I'm immediately uplifted. There aren't too many movies that can say that. And I doubt this movie will ever air on network television --- too much religion - GOD FORBID. That's a shame, though, because it's an uplifting, inspiring movie and many young people would benefit from watching it.

Facing the Giants boasts no Hollywood stars. Many of the players are locals who were part of the actual true events the story is based on. The acting is fine but nobody will be nominated for an Oscar. The dialog is at times simplistic if not down-right trite. But what Facing the Giants has that so many other films lack these days is a ton of heart and an unapologetic focus on the power Christian values to change the direction of peoples' lives, thereby changing the direction of the organizations they participate in (families, schools, football programs, etc.).

This film was primarily funded and produced by a church in Georgia... completely outside of the grips of Hollywood influences. Like many of the other Kendrick Brothers films, it is a small production with mostly volunteer actors and technical staff. I believe there were only about 6 people total who they had to bring in and pay.

Most people who watch this film (I'm guessing) are already Christians or are at least sympathetic to Christian/traditional Western values. Regardless what your 'beliefs' are, this film demonstrates how these values- when sincerely applied in one's life and brought to bear on troubling situations- can transform mindsets, change circumstances and open doors to amazing experiences and achievements.

People who give this movie a poor rating do so because they are turned off by religion (or at least Christianity) and no amount of money, big-name stars or fancy production will change their minds. Sure this film isn't a cinematic masterpiece by traditional measures. But are your measures traditional? Maybe they shouldn't be.

The big-budget Hollywood film is dead. The formula is failing. Nothing that comes out of Hollywood has any soul anymore because all the people in Hollywood have sold their souls a long time ago. In the 60's, Hollywood turned out many epic religious films such as Ben Hur, The Greatest Story Ever Told and The Ten Commandments. Why are they not making these kinds of films anymore? After all, they are still making war films and westerns and gangster/caper films and 'comedies' (which aren't very funny). Hollywood has been completely and thoroughly morally corrupted evidenced by the absolute absence of any recent product that one could say is morally uplifting whether religion is part of script or not. If Christian religion is part of the script at all, it is factually misrepresented at best and belittled and demonized at worst. At this point, Hollywood is incapable of producing anything that isn't soul-crushing, heart-blackening and mind-numbing. That boat has gone over the falls and there is no turning back. Thank GOD they can't force me to watch their garbage.

Thankfully, today, small, independent films and other media from all over the country and world are being created to fill this void and bring light back into a dark, oppressive, soulless industry. People crave truth and hope... even if on a shoe-string budget. The big wigs in Hollywood are freaking out because they no longer have a stranglehold on "mainstream" entertainment. So, instead of giving the people something better that speaks to their higher nature, they just get more and more base... spending ever increasing amounts of money in an effort to keep pushing the primal buttons of fear, anxiety, jealousy and hate. People are tired of it and they want something better because we were made for something better. Facing the Giants is a small but powerful film that provides something better. It's a "feel-good" movie, a term which has become a pejorative in this context. But since when has "feeling good" from watching a movie become such a bad thing?