Courageous Review | The Eden team give their thoughts on this Christian blockbuster

Over the last few months members of the Eden team have sat down to watch bestselling movie Courageous and here's what we think...

Anna - Online Store Manager

After hearing a lot about this movie and the impact that it had in America I wasn’t sure what to expect but after the huge success of Fireproof I was keen to see it for myself. Beginning with an intense action scene in a petrol station I knew it was likely I would enjoy this film. I’m pleased to say I really did. The characters and their life situations, particularly the family relationships were heart-warming and yes at times did make me begin to well up. I was gripped from the start. The Christian values played out in the film were encouraging and due to the popularity of the film have affected the audience across both sides of the pond. I would recommend this film for teens and adults to inspire and entertain in equal measure, this film puts Christian movies on the map!

Rating: 4 out of 5!

James - Marketing Assistant

There are some people who cringe at the thought of mixing Christianity and the glamour of the film industry, for more than one reason. But a church in Albany have certainly been busy proving cynics wrong – and with powerful results too.
Courageous is soaked in metaphor and parallels. Watch it the first time and you’ll be struck by the power of a loving father. Watch it again and you might notice how God’s fatherly hand is over all his children. Then watch it with your children after a hard days work and you’ll be given fresh perspective, a new set of eyes on parenting and the urge to make a life-changing oath.
For me, a young man on the brink of marriage, Courageous hit me between the eyes and made my throat dry up. I learnt that when that amazing day comes, when a child will call me dad, the courage I’ll need doesn’t come shrink wrapped. Parenting is a gift, the Christian life is tough and God is faithful.
Yes, this film is very American but don’t let that put you off. The script writers certainly deserve a pat on the back as the film draws you into the action, makes you cry with the characters and smile at moments of shared joy. Whatever your prejudgements of Christian films, let this film be the one that wins your heart and inspires you to walk closer with God.

Rating: 4 out of 5!

Les - Feature Writer

Tight edits, fast cuts and sensitive moments give Courageous its pace, focus and meaning.’
Ever since Anne Voase Coates won the Oscar for her work on David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia, I’ve become a fan of finely cut and edited movies. It’s the editing that gives a film's story its pace and focus. To make Courageous, Sherwood’s editors had to cut 130 hours of raw Atlanta streets footage down to 90 minutes of engaging action and meaning.
For example, in the movie’s opener, Nathan (Ken Bevel) gives chase when his truck is stolen. There are 21 cuts setting the scene in the sleepy gas station, and another 51 in the traffic scene that follows. All of this to make a sequence that takes less than 2 minutes to watch.
Tight edits, fast cuts and the sensitivity to let emotional moments linger, set Courageous above previous faith based movies. Just as Anne Voase Coates (who started out editing devotional shorts for religious films) raised the bar for mainstream movies, so Courageous sets a new standard for Christian film makers.

Rating: 4 out of 5!

Jo - Head of Sales & Marketing

Courageous isn't the first Christian film that I was looking forward to watching, it was however the one I've had the highest expectations of so far. The nature of my job meant that I was hearing about this film long before it made it to the cutting room floor. Having seen the progression of Sherwood Pictures productions I was excited and concerned in equal measure, would Courageous live up to the hype? I'm sat down to review the film through the lens of not only knowing where it comes from - Christian Church produced with a clear message, but also as someone comparing like for like, I see alot of Christian movies so I was prepared to compare it with others that I've seen. Courageous may have changed the way I watch Christian films in the future.
The storyline and script delivered the high level that I've come to expect after seeing films such as Fireproof but when it came to cinematography Courageous pulled the 'Christian film' rug out from under me in a way I didn't expect. I forgot I was watching something produced by a Baptist Church in Georgia and began to compare it with films from much larger studios with much deeper pockets. This film was the highest grossing independent film of 2011 for good reason, it gives its audience more than just a great story, it's a great experience and I can't wait to see what the Kendrick Brothers do next.

Rating: 5 out of 5!