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Reel World Reality A ministry of the ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP Ministry) A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Christian Ministry. www.capalert.com/ Entertainment Media Analysis Report A service to His little ones through you in His name by His Word MAR2011.127  (2011), PG-13 [PG(13)*] (2hr 0.5min) The #1 Christian entertainment media analysis service on the Internet. We give you OBJECTIVE tools NO ONE ELSE CAN to help YOU make an informed decision for yourself whether a film is fit for your family. Over 1300 analyses for parents, grandparents, pastors, youth leaders and more. |
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(While the Scriptural references are certainly not subjective, my commentary may be and sometimes is somewhat subjective.)
 Cast/Crew Details Courtesy Internet Movie Database Production (US): Sherwood Pictures, Provident Films, AFFIRMFILMS, TriStar Director(s): Alex Kendrick Producer(s): Michael Catt, Larry Frenzel, Stephen Kendrick, Jim McBride, Justin Tolley, Dennis Wiemer Written by: Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick Cinematography/Camera: Bob Scott Film Editing: Bill Ebel, Steve Hullfish, Alex Kendrick Production Design: Darian Corley Viewed at Showbiz Cinema 6, Granbury, TX  First, please understand that while this Summary / Commentary section may be and sometimes is subjective (except, of course, for the Scriptural applications), the CAP Analysis Model (the Findings/Scoring section of our report) is completely insulated from my opinions. The fully objective scoring cannot be affected by my opinions since the investigation standards used are set and prescribed and have been since the development and testing of the model in 1995/6. What I say in this Summary / Commentary section cannot alter the scoring. Now let me take a few moments and offer my subjective feelings about this film. My wife and I have been mom/dad to 42 children. Yes, forty-two. Two biological sons and 40 foster kids. From the 40 foster kids we adopted eight. Such a calling and history may have a tendency to make this film exceptionally special to me but out of more than 1400 films so far I cannot remember one better than Courageous. There was not an adult dry eye in the theater. Not even mine which set inside sockets atop a 280-pound hulk accused of dragging his knuckles who can bust three 12" x 12" pine boards sandwiched together with one forward punch. Yeah, I am a real tough guy but if I had not been setting in a chair at the theater I might have been on my knees. Courageous, not made by Hollywood, might be the finest film I have ever seen. The story and its sub-plots form a seamless weave of cinematic fabric performed by mostly unknown but yet top-notch performers who appeared to be fully submerged into their parts, not just collecting a paycheck. And, believe it or not, Courageous has a great "something to say" ... courageously. Let me share with you a couple impromptu interviews with people exiting the theater. I introduced myself as a film "reviewer" and asked for comments from those who had just seen Courageous. There was not a single negative comment. Some of the folks still had misty eyes but were able to say "outstanding" and "superb." Indeed, it was I who struggled with my ability to speak due to still surging emotions. One lady said [about future moviegoers] "You'd better bring a box of tissues, one or two tissues won't be enough." I agree. This film really works. And works well. In Albany, GA four small town cops and a struggling handyman share their lives with each other both professionally and as fathers and family men. The film deeply delves into the intertwining of the lives of these men and their strengths and weaknesses, their happiness and devastating sorrows and their successes and failures. Their families are presented as an integral and essential part of their lives. Their connections with their children -- the focus of this film -- are as real as a film portrayal can get. As famous as "The Love Dare" became from Fireproof, the "Resolution" presented in this film may actually improve the paternal mettle of fathers ... of courageous fathers. There is no techno-gadgetry or CGI flash in this film. It is portrayal of the real world with real characters in real situations, struggling with real heartaches and enjoying real triumphs and joys. Alex Kendrick, the director, plays Adam Mitchell, a Corporal on the Dougherty County, GA Sheriff's Department. Other fellow officers included David Thompson (Ben Davies) who had just completed his first year with the department and was still a "rookie" to the seasoned officers. New-hire Nathan Hayes (Ken Bevel) is an eight-year veteran from another department. The forth veteran officer of the pentangle is Shane Fuller (Kevin Downes) who is divorced with a son. The fifth man of the pentangle is handyman Javier Martinez (Robert Amaya) with wife and two kids. Adam, with a nine year old daughter, Emily (Lauren Etchells) and a 15 year old son, Dylan (Rusty Martin) struggles with his wife, Victoria (Renee Jewell) to improve his relationship with Dylan. Adam has let himself become engrossed in life's affairs. While he is close to his daughter his relationship with Dylan is estranged. The family structures of the other men are similarly solid and troubled at the same time. It is Adam who comes up with a resolution which I will not reveal. It is for your discovery. All five men and their families participate n the resolution. Not one use of profanity. Not one abuse of God's name. No one in bed with anyone. No "boiler room" humor. No flesh ripped out of a body. No drunken teenagers. None of the content typical of many PG-13 films. Courageous earned a final score of 80 out of 100 which places it solidly in the scoring range earned by PG-rated films in the comparative baseline database (68 to 86 out of 100), thus the CAP designator of "PG(13)*", meaning a film that earned a CAP PG-equivalent final score but was rated PG-13 by the MPAA. I suspect the MPAA slapped a PG-13 label on it because of the drug references and the sequence of intense police action involving a gun battle. But the PG-13 may instead have been due to the strong faith-based content ("thematic content"), including praising Jesus. Courageous earned PG- or G-equivalent scores in everything (I, S, D, O, M) except Wanton Violence/Crime (W) where it earned a R-equivalent score. No gore and no guts are spilled but there is enough violence for the magnitude of the violence content to be equivalent to the violence content found in some R-rated films. If you get to watch this film, see if you can find how many times Adam tells the Sheriff "I love you?" And note the stellar performance of Robert Amaya as he participates in a "gotcha" with a hardcore criminal emceed by Adam and Shane. There is some superb and clean humor in this film. From our Vice President:
I am one more time going to violate my own policy and recommend this film: recommend that every father watch this film but that the father evaluate the content revealed by this report prior to letting any of his kids watch it. Following are brief discussions of the content per individual CAP investigation area. As always the Findings section of this report is the best source for discovering the full accounting of the content of this film. Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 20 out of 100 While all other investigation areas found content to be G- or PG-equivalent, the violence and crime content of this film is equivalent to the same in many R-rated films. There are two gun battles with one of them very intense. A baby is abducted as the result of car theft. Adam is beat senseless by a criminal called T.J. (T.C. Stallings) who, by the way, gave another stellar performance as he growled at being subdued and captured. These are just a few of the matters of violence and/or crime. For a full accounting of the violence/crime content please see the listing in the Findings section. Since the violence is as intense as it sometimes is, it might be fruitful to His Word to remind us all what God warns about violence. As only one example of His many admonishments against violence and the emotions that often lead to violence, in Proverb 16:29 God warns that violence is "catching." He warns that violence can lead one "into the way that is not good." And, as surprising as it may seem, hundreds of years later man has plagiarized God's Word by four professional public health agencies jointly publishing warnings that viewing violence in and as entertainment, especially by the young, might lead to, among other things, real life violence and to believing violence to be an acceptable way to settle conflict. Violence is an inescapable texture and fiber of police work. But it is up to you to decide when or whether watching it in and as entertainment is fit for your family. That is why we tell you about the "negative" content of films: that you might be in a better position to make an informed moral decision whether a piece of entertainment work is fit. Impudence/Hate (I) - 83 out of 100 The only matters of impudence and/or hatred found include encouraging abortion, coaching to deceive [Rom. 16:17 - 18] and teen disrespect of his father [Exod. 20:12]. Sexual Immorality (S) - 97 out of 100 The only matter related to sexually immoral behavior is that which caused the pregnancy of David's girlfriend. While a baby is in no way immoral, that which brought about the baby is immoral if the parents are not married. Summed up, God's Word against sexually immoral behavior tells us that any sexual contact (sight and sound as well as touch), conduct or activity outside a monogamous heterosexual marriage is immoral. Whether we believe it or not. Whether we like it or not. Whether we care or not. And I did not write the Rules. The One who spent three days in Hell so you and I wouldn't have to spend one moment there did. Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 83 out of 100 The teen son of one of the quintessential officers get's involved in a illegal drug gang. Though no illegal drugs are seen in this subplot it involves dealing in and possession of illegal drugs. However, in another subplot Shane steals illegal evidential drugs confiscated by the Sheriff's department to sell for money and in that subplot we see Shane handling illegal [stage] drugs. [Hab. 2:9] Offense to God (O) - 97 out of 100 T.J calls someone a "fool." God has some harsh words for those who call their brother "Thou fool." [Matt. 5:22] Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100 In the gun battles many shots are fired but no one is murdered. SCRIPTURAL APPLICATION(S) If needed to focus or fortify, applicable text is underlined or bracketed [ ] or bold. If you wish to have full context available, the Blue Letter Bible is a convenient source. If you use the Blue Letter Bible, a new window will open. Close it to return here or use "Window" in your browser's menu bar to alternate between the CAP page and the Blue Letter Bible page. CHAPTER/VERSE --> Children who see a lot of violence are more likely to view violence as an effective way of settling conflicts. Children exposed to violence are more likely to assume the acts of violence are acceptable behavior. --> Viewing violence can lead to emotional desensitization towards violence in real life. It can decease the likelihood that one will take action on behalf of a victim when violence occurs. --> Entertainment violence feeds a perception that the world is a violent and mean place. Viewing violence increases fear of becoming a victim of violence, with a resultant increase in self-protective behavior and a mistrust of others. --> Viewing violence may lead to real life violence. Children exposed to violent programming at a young age have a higher tendency for violent and aggressive behavior later in life than children who are not so exposed. Further, God speaks darkly of violence 56 times in the Old and New Testament of the KJV.] As always, it is best to refer to the Findings/Scoring section -- the heart of the CAP analysis model -- for the most complete assessment possible of this movie. |
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(The objective heart of the CAP Analysis Model, independent of and insulated from the Summary / Commentary section.)  Wanton Violence/Crime (W) - 20 out of 100 Impudence/Hate (I) - 83 out of 100 Sexual Immorality (S) - 97 out of 100 Drugs/Alcohol (D) - 83 out of 100 Offense to God (O) - 97 out of 100 Murder/Suicide (M) - 100 out of 100 |
| There are some in the entertainment industry who maintain that 1) violent programming is harmless because no studies exist that prove a connection between violent entertainment and aggressive behavior in children, and 2) young people know that television, movies, and video games are simply fantasy. Unfortunately, they are wrong on both accounts." And "Viewing violence may lead to real life violence." I applaud these associations for fortifying 1 Cor. 15:33. Read the rest of the story. From our years of study, I contend that other aberrant behaviors, attitudes, and expressions can be inserted in place of "violence" in that statement. Our Director - Child Psychology Support, a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist concurs. For example, "Viewing arrogance against fair authority may lead to your kids defying you in real life." Or "Viewing sex may lead to sex in real life." Likewise and especially with impudence, hate and foul language. I further contend that any positive behavior can be inserted in place of "violence" with the same chance or likelihood of being a behavior template for the observer; of being incorporated into the behavior mechanics and/or coping skills of the observer. In choosing your entertainment, please consider carefully the "rest of the story" and our findings. |
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| For G rated Films with G equivalence: G PG equivalence: PG-G PG-13 equivalence: 13-G R equivalence: R-G< | For PG rated Films with G equivalence: G-PG PG equivalence: PG PG-13 equivalence: 13-PG R equivalence: R-PG | For PG-13 rated Films with G equivalence: G-13 PG equivalence: PG(13) PG-13 equivalence: PG-13 R equivalence: R-13 | For R rated Films with G equivalence: G-R PG equivalence: PG-R PG-13 equivalence: 13-R R equivalence: R | For NR rated Films with G equivalence: G-NR PG equivalence: PG-NR PG-13 equivalence: 13-NR R equivalence: R-NR |