Ladies, and gentlemen, hello again, and welcome to another session of movie reviewing. Today, we review a film that is based on a true story that occurred around a decade ago. Not only that, but it crossed the $100 million mark as of recently. It stars Jim Caviezel (whom I’m sure many of us know as playing Jesus in 2004’s The Passion Of The Christ), Mira Sorvino, Bill Camp, and a few other cast members. So now, let’s discuss the historical drama, well known as Sound Of Freedom!
Plot: The movie retells about how, around a decade ago, a special agent named Tim Ballard (played by Jim Caviezel in this film) from Homeland Security Investigation discovered that children from Honduras, and other places around the world, were being sold into human trafficking as sex slaves. It then portrays how he first tried to save two children from Honduras named Miguel, and Rocio from suffering the rest of their lives in such a horrible lifestyle. Did he succeed in his mission, and did he also succeed in rescuing other children from the sex slave/human trafficking industry?
Wow, first of all, what an excellent film! To begin, Jim Caviezel did a phenomenal job with his portrayal of special agent Tim Ballard. He truly knows how to put life into characters like Tim Ballard in this movie, Jesus in The Passion Of The Christ, his roles in certain TV shows, and more. Truthfully, if no better film comes along by the end of this year, Caviezel truly should get a nomination for Best Actor Of The Year at award ceremonies like the Golden Globes, and the Academy Awards. The rest of the cast was phenomenal as well. Next, there is the story. Wow, sometimes I wonder if maybe this should have been rated R. Okay, maybe it was because of the fact that some of the darker scenes weren’t more violent, or darker than they ended up being in the end that this film was given a PG-13 rating. Still, that doesn’t change that this film did have some of the most intense moments that an adult film, PG-13, or R, could have. One way, or another, it was both tragic, and good to see this film come out, and show the brutality of human/sex trafficking, and how people will act nice, and say nice things to get kids sucked in. Yes, it’s tragic that such a field, like any other evil field, exists. At the same time, however, it was also good that this film came out so that more people could hopefully be aware of how horrible sex trafficking is, especially if some don’t fully realize the horror of it already. One other thing to mention is that, as you watch this film, you’ll be surprised by how much you learn about human trafficking, and how negatively it has affected the world. I heard that this film was thought up, and originally in production around five years I ago. Yet, for some reason, Sound Of Freedom was unable to be released until recently. Well, praise God that this movie when it did, instead of it getting scraped altogether. What’s more is that this is one of those movies that, despite this movie having the feel of a faith-based movie, it’s also safe to say that Sound Of Freedom is one of those movies that both Christians, and non-Christians are most likely going to enjoy. And hey, depending on how many non-Christians give this movie a chance, hopefully they will come to know Jesus, and have a relationship with Him through a film like this one. Quite honestly, the fact that a film like this has made over $100 million in it’s first couple weeks since being released in itself is a miracle. I was surprised to hear that this film was only allowed to play at a limited amount of theaters. That is before this film began to expand, and play in even more theaters in the weeks following it’s release on the 4th of July. Not to mention that Sound Of Freedom was made by Angel Studios, the same TV, and movie company that made shows like The Chosen, and films like this one, and His Only Son (which was released back in March of this year), for instance. If companies like Angel Studios make really touching, and uplifting films like this one, or Lionsgate make films like Jesus Revolution that was released earlier this year, in February, then hopefully there will be a shift in content that either independent companies, like Angel Studios, or maybe huge mainstream companies in Hollywood make films. Only God knows how this will pan out. Anyway, this movie does not shy away from the horrors that have occurred in human trafficking, and sadly still occur even today. Lastly, people that watch Sound Of Freedom will walk away being reminded of very valuable lessons such as being brave to do the impossible when necessary, doing what God calls one to do, even when it means making major sacrifices in the process, and more.
And that’s my review for Sound Of Freedom. It is a great film with a great story, seeing so much light shed on the evils of human trafficking, and more. The acting, especially by Jim Caviezel, is also great. There truly is plenty to love about this film. Though human trafficking is a dark, and heavy subject, it is also great to know that movies like Sound Of Freedom are willing to show just how bad it is. Oh, and when you also see this film, you’d be surprised to hear some shocking news in regards to sex trafficking, and children being sold as sex slaves. Oh, and another thing to mention, when it gets close to the end of the film, please DO NOT leave right away. There is a tribute, and speech that Jim Caviezel makes while the end credits roll. Trust me when I say that you don’t want to miss what he has to say during the end credits. So again, make sure you stay through the credits when the movie is over. All of that being said, please go see Sound Of Freedom whenever you can. It will be worth it in the end. I honestly want to own it when it comes out, and maybe even see it in theaters one last time. But we shall see.
Final Grade: A+
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 