Courageous

Courageous hit the movie theaters this past weekend and I went to it's opening debut.  Happily, it was sold out!  This movie is produced by Sherwood Baptist Church Films in an effort to make "faith-based" movies instead of the usual Hollywood style.  It is the fourth movie written and produced by the film making ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church that stars one of their pastors ~ Alex Kendrick.  The overall message is about fatherhood and responsibility which unfolds throughout the journey of the four main characters who are police officers as well as fathers.  They befriend a fifth main character and the group of men share their struggles with their identity as fathers and the challenges of being a police officer.

Courageous was "preachier" and more intense than the previous films they produced such as Fireproof and Facing the Giants.  In addition, it was also a bit drawn out at times leaving me wondering "where are they going with this?" but otherwise, it had humor, tears and intensity.   Kind of like a Hallmark film or something you would watch on Lifetime.

I enjoyed it through the laughter and tears but I left wondering, would it reach the audience they were intending to reach?  Or would it only be people of faith who flock to the theaters to watch it? And if it did, would the "preachy" style be a turn off for some people?

Blessings,
Noreen