And now, ladies, and gentlemen, today, we review the sequel to the 2018 Faith-based hit, the one, and only, I Can Only Imagine 2.
Plot: Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley), and his band, MercyMe, have begun to have success out on the road ever since their song “I Can Only Imagine” hit #1 charts across the U.S., and across the world. But things begin to take a turn for the worst when Sam (Jagger Amor as younger Sam, and Sammy Dell as adult Sam), the son of Bart, and Shannon (Sophie Skelton, replacing Madeline Carroll from the first film) begins to suffer from seizures, and is diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Thus begin the circumstances that led Bart, and the band to write their song, “Even If”, including Bart, and the MercyMe meeting, and teaming up with Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia) for concert tours, and more.
Okay, first of all, as I’m sure some of you may recall, the first I Can Only Imagine film $83.4 million in the US, and $1.8 million in other territories, adding up to a total of $85.2 worldwide. And that was against a budget of $7 million. Yet, it’s sequel, simply titled I Can Only Imagine 2, and which just got released last month, supposedly had a budget of $18 million, and, thus far, only grossed a domestic total of $18,077,281, and a worldwide total of $18,204,729. Why am I bringing up the figures for how much money this faith-based sequel has made in theaters thus far, you may ask? Well, I do so because I believe that begs the question of how it is that 2018’s I Can Only Imagine was really successful, while it’s sequel that got released eight years later, and just this past month, hasn’t even come close to matching the success of it’s predecessor. Do people living here in the US not give faith-based movies as much of a chance nowadays? Did the box-office popularity of more popular films like Wuthering Heights, or animated films like Sony Pictures Animations’ Goat, or even Disney/Pixar’s Hoppers ultimately give I Can Only Imagine 2 a run for it’s money? Did the subject matter feel a little too heavy even for Christians this time around? Or, was this sequel not advertised as much as its predecessor? Well, you know what, I’m sure there is speculation of different kinds as to why I Can Only Imagine has been less popular thus far? Well, one way, or the other, I Can Only Imagine 2 definitely is worth seeing for quite a few reasons.
First of all, like with the first film, this sequel does well with developing the relationships, whether it be Bart’s relationship with his wife, Shannon, and his kids, especially Sam, or even his relationship with Tim Timmons, who would become a great friend of the Mercy Me band. What’s more is that when it comes to scenes that involve Bart Millard, and Tim Timmons conversing with each other, J. Michael Finley, and Milo Ventimiglia work well off of each other. Plus, hearing from a bio of Ventimiglia’s that he feels honored to even be in the role of Tim Timmons, that’s really cool too.
Then, there’s the music, and score. First of all, the score was great, and helped make this film even more moving, and touching. In addition to that being the case, it is also great to hear a little bit of some of Mercy Me’s other songs that were published between songs “I Can Only Imagine”, and “Even If”, be it songs like “The Hurt & The Healer”, and some others throughout the film.
In addition to these factors, the cinematography was also really great. Regardless, of where you live in the US, how could you not see, and appreciate the beauty of places that this film takes us to, particularly the arches, and spires of Red Rocks Amphitheater, and more? Even when it comes to the venues that Mercy Me, and Tim Timmons perform at, or seeing stormy nights, those are also sights to behold.
Lastly, what really is the selling point of I Can Only Imagine 2. First of all, why is this film only given that title? Why not call it I Can Only Imagine 2: How More Big Hits Like Even If Came About, or The Aftermath Of I Can Only Imagine, & The Origins Of Even If, or some title like that? Maybe it’s just me, but maybe just calling this film I Can Only Imagine 2 might not have been the best idea in this case. But hey, what do I know? Anyway, this sequel did really well with showing the emotions of the characters, the struggles that people like Bart, Sam, and Tim Timmons especially went through that’s depicted in this movie, and more. When it comes to scenes where characters like Bart, or even Sam feel frustrated, and/or are struggling, and struggling hard, this movie was not even remotely shy to show that even in the slightest? One other thing to mention, as well as truly appreciate about I Can Only Imagine 2 is that this sequel was not afraid to show that even people of faith will go through struggles, sometimes even question why God allows certain trials in our lives, even the lives of believers, and how we need to learn to trust God even when circumstances in our lives prove to be difficult, and more. Though Christians do realize like these, I Can Only Imagine 2 does well with serving as a reminder of this.
And that’s my review for I Can Only Imagine 2. Honestly, as great as this movie is, it is mind-boggling to see this sequel perform less than its predecessor did in theaters eight years ago. Does this mean that there won’t be an I Can Only Imagine 3 in the future? It would be tragic if that was the case. Well, maybe the filmmakers were planning to only make two movies in this series anyway? You got me! Anyway, I Can Only Imagine 2 is a great film due to having great characters, excellent cinematography, and has some great messages to go along with this film. It’s just a shame that this will likely be the last I Can Only Imagine film due to it not performing as well as the first film did. Regardless, if this movie is still playing in theaters near you, I would say definitely make a point to see it ASAP. For how great of a movie as it is, as well with the scope of the film, those are definitely noteworthy reasons to see this film on the big screen rather than waiting until it comes to On Demand. If you can see it in theaters, and do, you’ll probably understand why I say that. Anyway, go see I Can Only Imagine 2 in theaters if you can. It is most definitely worth seeing. So yeah, again, see it, and see what you think!
Final Rating: 10/10
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