Last night my wife and I had a date out and went to see the movie Fireproof. Frankly I really enjoyed it. The acting is probably not going to win an academy award, but we should remember that movie making (by serious Christians) is still in it's infancy.
Here are a few categories by which I've critiqued the film:
Premise/concept: Definitely a movie that hits a nerve. As with Facing the Giants, Alex Kendrick wraps his theme around reality, humor and life.
General satisfaction: Let's face it, we go to the movies to enjoy ourselves. I really enjoyed this movie because it tells the truth.
Acting: Kirk Cameron really delivered and I believe increased the quality of the rest of the actors and actresses. However, honestly, I think this was one of the weaker points. At the same time, it was a movie about real life and I found the ordinary kind of people more believable.
Gospel: I wouldn't normally expect to hear much of the gospel in any movie, but this film is decidedly and unapologetically preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's rare to hear it so explicitly, but I think they did it carefully, clearly and honestly.
Story development: Of course we rightly expect that the husband and wife will triumph, but there's lots of tension and surprizes along the way. I think I counted four or more delightful spins that were unexpected and really heightened the plot. But I'll let you watch the movie. . .
