Overall Rating:
Score: 8.1/10
Grade: B+
Family-Friendliness Scale: Level 4 (Great)
Kids ages 9+
Never leave your partner behind, and that doesn't just go for firefighters when trying to fend off a fire.
Caleb (Kirk Cameron) is a hard-working fire-fighter who puts his life on the line every day, but doesn't leave any focus on his wife Catherine (Erin Bethea). He expects her to do the laundry, go out and get groceries, and do things in his timing. However, when he wakes up one morning, they get into a big argument, in which which soon results in Catherine saying, "she wants out". Trying to get advice from his parents, Caleb's dad sends him "The Love Dare", a 40-day process in which may help Caleb save his marriage, and at the same time, accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Positive Notes
The film contains inspiring messages about how important marriage is in God's eyes and that its' important to put others before yourself. Caleb accepts Jesus Christ into his life, and he eventually puts his heart into saving his marriage. By the films' end, Catherine also accepts Jesus and their relationship is mended. Caleb also learns to respect his mother more, as she was the one who did the Love Dare on his father (prior to all of it, Caleb didn't accept his mother's advice).
The cinematography is nice. The action scenes are absolutely thrilling, and there's enough of the right kind of humor to keep this film entertaining. This is the only film by Sherwood Pictures so far not to star Alex Kendrick (he does get a cameo at the end), but Kirk Cameron gives absolute sincerity to his acting. All of the actors shine just by their dedication to their characters.
Negative Notes
Content-wise, the film is clean. But it isn't perfect. The film features multiple references to online pornography, even though its' handled in the most gentle way possible and Caleb ends up kicking the habit. Teenagers engage in a car speed race to a restaurant that ultimately results in a horrible accident. A couple of perilous moments involve getting a car off train tracks and Caleb going into a burning house to rescue an unconscious little girl, which may end up scaring sensitive, litte ones. Catherine flirts with a fellow doctor. No language, unless if you count brief exclamations of "shut up" and "ticked off".
Conclusion
Sherwood Pictures has made inspiring movies over the last decade, and this one is no different. Its' messages on marriage and true devotion to God and your loved ones are most certainly not meant to be taken lightly.
However, while there's no real problems content-wise, Fireproof isn't exactly appropriate for young children. Its' themes on marriage, divorce, and the like may not be understood by today's elementary-schoolers, and the few perilous moments may be a bit scary as well. This films' main focus is on married couples who may have some troubled issues in their relationships. Its' also good to watch if parents are willing to walk through those doors with their children and are ready to have conversations with them on these topics.
So altogether, Fireproof may not be Sherwood's best film, and its' only by kid-friendly standards that I can call this a slight disappointment. But its' still just as inspiring and moving as what you'd expect from the studio...
