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Fireproof

(2008, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea, Ken Bevel)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Christian-themed marriage drama won't grab kids.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Caleb -- who's a courageous lifesaver in his day job but not very humble about it -- rises above his personal flaws to be a better person, even it it's too late for his marriage. Some diversity among characters.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    An offscreen car wreck yields maimed victims; perils of an impending train crash. A firefighter rescues an unconscious child from a raging inferno, getting singed in the process.
  • Sex:

    Caleb surfs the Web for online pornography (never shown), and some dialogue hints that his wife isn't very responsive in the bedroom.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    A tie-in Love Dare book exists; the movie can't help but feel a bit like a promo for it.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    In one scene, firemen drink hot sauce to test their machismo. In real life, a stunt like that recently killed a man.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Fireproof

Parents need to know that a powerful grassroots marketing campaign has helped turn this Christian-themed indie drama about a fireman with a troubled marriage into a hit. While the content is age-appropriate for older tweens and up, the marriage-centric story isn't likely to interest them. The plot includes mention of online porn (it's frowned on, of course), but viewers don't really see anything salacious. Marriage is portrayed as tough and often devoid of love, affection, or respect, but something that Christians are expected to endure anyway. Non-Christian viewers might be uncomfortable with some of the movie's dialogue and themes; on the flipside, at least it skips some of the raw language and sex in other Hollywood firefighting movies (like Backdraft).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the film's messages about marriage. Talk about the concept of "unconditional love" -- what exactly does that mean? How do different groups (religious or otherwise) feel about divorce? Do you have to be a Christian to understand or appreciate what this movie is saying about marriage and life in general?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0

    Decent

    I found some of the main characters to be rather unlikeable and the acting to be a bit stiff, but it's not terrible.

  2. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    "Never Leave Your Spouse"

    This movie has a great message. Younger children might not like this movie, but I love it. There's emotion, a little adventure, and the word of God.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Best yet!!!!

    I LOVE this movie. It is so great. The only reason I would rate this twelve and up is the subject matter. There is no sexual content, and no language. Such a great film.

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Nevada
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 4.0

    This is a great movie to make you think about your marriage. I thought it was spot on for the differences between men and women. It had a good balance of humor, seriousness, and action.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Good, Christian movie

    This movie is good, and I'm 13. My brother, who's 11, liked it as well. I thought it was interesting and it grabbed my attention. I'm glad this movie actually taught a lesson, made sense, and was actually worth seeing. Younger kids will most likely find this boring, and adults (especially those who are married!) will REALLY enjoy this movie!

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

    It did "grab (my) kids' " attention.

    I think it's funny that the main review says that it won't "grab kids." After watching this movie, my 10 yr old son said, "Can we watch this movie again tomorrow night?" He watched it three times that first week. He enjoyed the scenes of bravery by the firemen. In fact, all three of my sons loved the movie. They found it to be very enjoyabe and even humorous. Most of all, the message about marriage is one that little children should know. So many children already know the pain of having divorced parents, and there's no age restriction on that. This is a great movie, check it out!

  7. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Alaska
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    See it With Your Spouse

    My wife and I absolutely love this movie. Younger kids won't be very interested and won't appreciate the film. This is an excellent movie for anyone in a relationship, and likely for those who may be considering relationships - such as teenagers.

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message

    Christian-themed drama is not for everybody

    This film is so bad it talks about religion an forgets that it is a movie and is more like a chruch service. Do not watch this movie it is so religious. This film is ONLY for christians

  10. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    We need more movies like this

    I thought this was a great movie...my husband, who is a big he-man macho non-church-goin guy also loved this movie. Its so "real". Half of all marriages end in divorce. The reason for divorce basically stems from selfishness...people always blame the other spouse for why the marriage is failing. The movie is a powerful message that teaches us what can happen when we lay aside our own selfish wants and put the other person first. I do believe that it takes a work of God in a person's heart to be able to do that, especially in this day and age of "me me me". I loved the funny moments (the hot sauce trick was hysterical) I loved the action scene with the train I loved the fact that Kirk Cameron's real life wife stepped in for the kiss scene at the end because Kirk did not believe it was right to kiss another women, even during an acting scene. I love that all of the actors were church members and not real actors at all....come on, we go to high school plays and clap and cheer for the performance...why not for a movie like this? Its a great movie..made cheaply, no great special effects that cost millions, with mostly volunteers who couldnt act. But the message is a powerful one! My 14 year old daughter loved it. My husband told his sister about it the next day...I ended up buying the movie so we can watch it again and again.

  11. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    Great and inspiratinal movie!

    This movie is AWESOME. It really encouraged me to try to work harder on my marriage! I do not recommend it for kids, but definitely for youth who are coming in to a place were they are dating and thinking about marriage. I believe this movie is and inspiration and recommend all married couples watch this. O and don't forget they actually sell this book to help marriages! LOVED IT!

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    AWESOME! INSPIRING!

    This is THE most awesome movie i've ever seen. I'm an single 18 year old girl. And there was absolutely NOTHING boring about the movie! My parents love it, my 12 year old brother LOVES it. Sure, it's marriage-themed. Sure, there are some pretty intense scenes that would probably scare younger kids. But it is inspiring! Clearly Christian, presents a great salvation message...inspires you to never give up. Clean, inspiring, good acting, great foundation!

  13. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    A must see for all couples

    This is a great movie for mom and dad. It really shows that marriage is work ,but it is worth it. It is a great movie. The kids may not be intrested in it so it is a good one for a date night.

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    A lot of emotion.

    I liked this movie. I really did, but many kids will be bored out of their minds. Some cool scenes involving fires are nice.

  15. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 3.0

    Good, and yet...

    I loved the movie theme, the humor tossed in was just right for us, and the ending was spot on. Still, even being a Christian, I thought in places it was heavy handed. It seems more a movie about Caleb and his changes, rather than about a couple and their growth. I also don't think that the movie was tough enough on the issue of pornography. It made it look like breaking an addiction (and it does call these things addictions) takes no more than strong will power. If this was true, we wouldn't have so many real-life addicts. More could have been done here -- as a matter of fact, the whole movie could have been about this issue alone (so yes, I understand why it was run over so quickly... I just don't like it). Anyone married, or who is about to marry, should see this at least as a discussion starter. Don't know how I feel about the product tie-in of the upcoming book...

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Better than the others!

    Those of you who have seen Facing the Giants and/or Flywheel, know that Alex Kendrick's movies have very good themes, and are very emotional,h owever the acting is usually not that good...Fireproof was absolutely fantastic! The acting was MUCH better, although it was not the greatest, the story grabs your attention fast enough that it isn't that noticeable. The story was also better than Flywheel and Facing the Giants, both movies I really enjoyed. I cried multiple times, it was very sweet. I was also excited about the Christian themes, the Gospel was clearly presented, and glory was given to God. The way it is supposed to be. And this was in a movie theater! I am SO happy! Tonight was the second time I saw it. I absolutely love this movie. If you do not love the God of the Bible,- I recommend you see it,- but I don't think you'll enjoy it, as God is the focus, He is the one who changes Caleb's heart and consequently, Caleb's relationships. I took my 12 and 14 year old sisters to see it the day they came out, we all loved it and the 12 year old and I were both ready to see it again. I highly recommend.

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Kansas
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0

    I liked this movie

    This is definitely a grown up movie, just because it deals with the marriage as the main topic. I dont think my kids would appreciate it that much; even my 16 year old. My husband and I both really liked the movie. There are a couple of people (namely the doctor),that arent the best actors, but overall it is really good. Bring your kleenexes!

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 4.0

    Divorce rate will go down after seeing this movie!

    My husband & I have been married 25 years and have a great marriage--However their is always room for improvement. We both cried and laughed! I am telling everyone to see this movieASAP!!!

  19. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0

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