Soul Surfer (2011)

The story of Bethany Hamilton is quite inspiring. She was born to surfers in Hawaii and surfing is in her blood. When we watch the movie, we see how surfing is a big part of her life. Her parents are played by Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt. They are terrific in their roles as her parents. Craig T. Nelson has a small role as the doctor. Kevin Sorbo has a supporting role. The actress who played Bethany Hamilton did a terrific job in the role. The scenery is just magnificent and beautiful of course in Hawaii. I was surprised to learn that Bethany has been home-schooled on the islands. Her family belongs to the Fellowship Church on the island. Carrie Underwood played Sarah Hill, a minister. Bethany and her best friend Alana miss a missionary trip to Mexico. Sadly, Bethany's arm was bit off by a shark bite. She survived luckily but she had to rebuild and learn to live her life on her own terms. The film is inspiring to anybody who has overcome such hardship. The final moments of the film has actual footage of the real Bethany and her family.

Born to the water, 13-year old Bethany is a promising competitive surfer when she loses her left arm in a shark attack.Based (fairly accurately) on the real-life story of Hawaiian Bethany Hamilton, this film is described as "faith-based" and, as an agnostic, I would have lost interest quite quickly had the movie taken an evangelistic approach to the role the family's faith played in Bethany's life after the attack. However, the film is content to acknowledge it and move on: a sensible approach, because Bethany's story is both amazing and moving, and does not need the distraction which concentration on faith would have generated.The story is never less than gripping, it is well told, it is very well acted (particularly by AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany), and the Hawaiian scenery, and the surfing, look great. And, to my surprise (especially given that I do not think I am part of the target demographic), I found it intensely emotional: I was frequently in tears, and not just out of distress over Bethany's injury.I was particularly impressed by the CGI removal of AnnaSophia Robb's arm: not so much by its on-screen absence, more by the fact that her body did not betray the existence of an unseen limb in terms of movement and balance, something which is often the case with digital limb removal (eg. Gary Sinise in Forrest Gump).And, completely aside from the film, it is heartening to see that Bethany has become a professional surfer and an inspiration to thousands.

First off, I did not know who Bethany Hamilton was before hearing about this movie. I'm sure most of us did not know who she was before this movie. Now, Bethany Hamilton seems like a common talked about celebrity where everybody knows her story. She also took a part in Dolphin Tale 2 playing herself. A lot of people are reviewing her story of what actually happened, and I'm sure a lot of us have heard that she is married and now pregnant with a baby boy. Bethany Hamilton also continues life surfing with just one arm. By all means, Bethany Hamilton seems like a great role model.Now, let me talk about what makes this movie great? Well, for one this movie is by all means an inspirational story. Sometimes movies that are good stories can help motivate ourselves to push ourselves harder in sports. Like it's nice watching sports movies once in awhile especially if you're on a team or before a match as they seem empowering and can help push ourselves a little harder.What else also is great about this movie, well besides being an inspirational story, it is also something spiritual, as a lot of the movie seems to concentrate on the spiritual side of the story. We see Bethany Hamilton going to church, I believe she's of some Christian religion but I'm not too sure what religion, I forget if it was mentioned. But, just seeing this whole picture from a spiritual perspective. It gives you a sense of spiritual satisfaction, and while this isn't a movie I'd put on for entertainment, I mean I've seen it and my college even showed it. It is definitely a movie that can lift you physically as well as spiritually.Now, to put that part spiritually into perspective. I have heard that people all over the country are stopping going to church, whatever religion they attend. Now let's think about it, everybody in life wants to be happy we all try to do the things or think of the things that will make us happy. However, I have heard it's been scientifically proved that people who attend church regularly are happier than people who don't. So, to think that people who attend church regularly are happier than those who don't, that says a lot. I think this is one of the reasons that makes Bethany Hamilton a great role model, as there is often little to nothing we know about other celebrities attending church.Now, talking about the spiritual side of this movie. This movie seems to tell us what matters most in life. I mean even though spiritual movies usually aren't the most entertaining, it is nice to see them every once in awhile, because they really seem to show us that. Also, I can think of a somewhat spiritual movie which I also wrote a review on which seems to give us a somewhat spiritual perspective, but it does it in a more comic manner. I'm sure a lot of us have seen the movie Angels In The Outfield. A movie that introduced us to a younger Joseph Gordon Levitt. That's a Disney Movie that is still somewhat enjoyable to watch and can kind of give us the spiritual perspective. But, the angels in the movie seem there more for comedy to entertain viewers more.If you like movies like this, then you can watch other spiritual movies. I think inspirational movies can help us think about what matters more in life, and wanting to change our lives. A couple other recent spiritual movies that have come out. I mentioned Dolphin Tale 2 earlier. You can see Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. There is also a movie called Heaven Is For Real showing a boy's perspective of heaven. Let me tell you, these movies might not be the fastest pace, but they are wholesome entertainment. They might not be movies we'd want to eat popcorn while watching, or movies we'd want to watch with a bunch of friends at our house unless we are trying to have a spiritual hang out. But, when we think logically we understand that these movies help us understand what matters most in life. I give it a 10/10.

Sometimes I just have to rate a movie on what it does to you.This is one of those that gets a 10 for how it feeds the soul and uplifts the entire spirit. Not because of it's incredible acting, or directing or production. Just because it is food everyone should feast on once in a while.You don't have to believe in God to be enriched by this. The fact that it's based on a true story is part of it's strength. Kudos to Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid for participating in a faith based movie (not overbearingly so) when Hollywood seems so full of superficial nonsense.The fact that her main rival ended up being her friend, despite the bitterness shown to her both when she had her arm and not, is a testament to how a little love goes a long way to turn bad to good.