Aylmer to Zazzoo and Beyond: God's Not Dead

Saturday, April 5, 2014

God's Not Dead - Movie Review

God's Not Dead

(2014 - March 21) Drama
1 hr. 53 min
Rated: PG | Brief scenes of physical violence including verbal abuse and domestic violence.

Grade: C |

Director: Harold Cronk
Writers: Hunter Dennis (story), Chuck Konzelman (story), Cary Solomon (story)
Stars: Shane Harper, Kevin Sorbo, David A.R. White | See full cast and crew

Present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words "God Is Dead" on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future. Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that "God Is Dead," he must prove God's existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the course of the semester, and engage Radisson in a head-to-head debate in front of the class. If Josh fails to convince his classmates of God's existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he believes. Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn't it just be easier just to write "God Is Dead" and put the whole incident behind him? GOD'S NOT DEAD weaves together multiple stories of faith, doubt and disbelief, culminating in a dramatic call to action. The film will educate, entertain, and inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations and life-changing decisions. --(C) Official Site

The film is ambitious but falls short of its goals. One local critic opined that it is unfair to the open minded. What? Should we talk about how fair academia has been in treating those that are believers. What a doofuss, isn't that the bigot calling the kettle black! I am so tired of the proud 'educated' folks that so loudly and boldly proclaim their own social evolution and enlightenment that function as blinders to seeing their own bigotry and bullying that they wear so prominently on their own bloody sleeves. Our schools and universities have become anti-Christian social engineering propaganda mills rather than the temples of learning they were intended to be, but I digress. The film is somewhat monotone and feels like a promotional vehicle for 'The Newsboys', a popular gospel/rock boy band. The characters are one dimensional, simplistic and basically black or white. The message is admirable and good but the methodology is weak. It is a film that you can take the entire family to see free of profanity and sex. There are a couple of scenes of violence that could be disturbing to the very young. God's Not Dead falls short, I was hoping for something more but is still worth a look.

Cast