Facing the Giants

Honestly, the theology in this movie is so toxically bad it's cartoonish, which is why I rated it 13+. I wouldn't want my child exposed to messages this poor unless it was in a carefully controlled environment. At it's core the story is textbook prosperity gospel. If you worship God more, pray harder, and have a godlier outlook then God will buy you a truck, give you a baby, and make you win at football. That isn't how God works, YHWH doesn't just give you things because you want them. Jesus wanted the cup to be taken from him, but he was crucified anyway. Moses probably wanted to enter the promised land. David wanted his sons to live. Paul was righteous, but he was beaten and slandered. The gospel isn't that good things happen to good people. I give more than 1 star because the characters play lip service to the idea that one should worship God whether you win or lose, a powerful and important sentiment. However, the plot undermines this theme by giving everyone everything they want. The pastor gets his revival, the son of the man with bad hair gets a better relationship, they get their baby, and they win state. No one ends the film being denied their desires. We are left to wonder are our characters really praising God in defeat, or are they praising God expecting him to turn things around for them. Also, where is this family's community? We never see their church, their extended family, or (with the exception of the unnamed woman in one unexplained interaction scene) their friends. If they are to know we are Christians by our love for one another then shouldn't these people have some real relationships with someone? Also, this film clearly comes from a branch of Christianity where it is believed that women are supposed to be subservient to male leadership. While these themes are never expressly stated they are clearly present. The wife appears to have no skills other than homemaking and flower arranging, and she has no ambitions other than to have a child. It's okay for a woman to be like that, but this highly stereotypical woman also makes no decisions on her own and seems unable to have her own relationship with God apart from her husband's. Imagine if instead the football team had only a slightly better season, and him and his wife decide to become foster parents with the support of their community. The climax could instead be the pastor's long awaited revival. This would instead share the message that losing is nothing, the only thing that matters is God. Then the coach's proudest achievement could truly be how God has used him to improve the lives of his community rather than winning at football. The acting and writing in this movie could use some work. The movie also has this problem where there are so many characters who aren't named or introduced. Also, is it just me or is the opposing team that is "bigger and faster" but "we can outsmart them" full of black men while the SCA team is full of white students? This seems sketch to me.

Great movie for everyone regardless of age or religion. The lesson of positive belief with selfless attitudes leading to miraculous outcomes is instilled in this movie. Critics of this movie are in need of prayer! Hope everyone will lead a life like this movie calls us to live. Tears and laughter throughout! Great live football scenes without short scripted plays that are normally in sports movies. True football movie for any team needing inspiration! Great Job Mr. Kendrick