Soul Surfer - Critiques Reviews by Ian Stout

Champ, Christine "Who wouldn't want to root for an upbeat underdog?" Rev. of Soul Surfer, dir. Sean McNamara. Film.com 8 April 2011

Webster, Andy "Soul Surfer is Bethany Hamiltons Shark Tale" Rev. of Soul Surfer, dir. Sean McNamara. NY Times 7 April 2011

O’Sullivan, Michael “The swells of inspirational storytelling sometimes threaten to swamp the underlying inspirational story.” Rev. of Soul Surfer, dir. Sean McNamara. Washington Post 8 April 2011


Themes and Directors Intentions

“The swells of inspirational storytelling sometimes threaten to swamp the underlying inspirational story.” - O’Sullivan


Separate elements and their relationship to the whole.

Referring to the shark attack scene- “The sequence, while gore free, is agonizing and not for young children.” –Webster

“Though the surfing footage disappoints overall — more glowing soul surfing into the light glamour shots, than sports quality competition footage. That could be another reason why despite the profoundness of Bethany’s plight, Soul Surfer might make you feel like you never left the shallows.” – Champ


Objective evaluation of the film

“It’s a postcard-perfect Hawaiian morning as a pair of surfer girls giggle and float along the surface of a sparkling sea. Then before you know it, a shark tears off 13-year-old Bethany Hamilton’s (Race to Witch Mountain’s AnnaSophia Robb) arm.” – Champ

“the rising 13-year-old amateur competition surfer in Hawaii who in 2003 lost an arm to a shark.” – Webster


Subjective evaluation of the film

“While this story is certainly about faith, “Soul Surfer” is most inspiring when it exalts faith in one’s self.” – Webster


The film’s level of ambition

“the surfing footage disappoints overall” – Champ

OR

“The movie dazzles in its surfing sequences, in which the director, Sean McNamara, works nimble editing and a tropical palette to a fine sheen.” - Webster


Words I found interesting.

platitudes= meaningless, biased, or prosaic statement

fresh-faced= new and young actor

pollyannish= agree with positive statements

unapologetic= not sorry for anything

prevails= to keep going against all odds

sugar-coated= the critique is unimpressed with the how the story was dealt with

nonplussed= you are so surprised you don’t know how to act

resilient= nothing phases you

sheen= beautiful, clean, shining or Charlie

pollyannaish= belittling


Relationship to film movements/genres/ relation to other filmmakers’ work.

“Frequent underwater shots tease us, as we anticipate The Moment, à la "127 Hours." – Murphy from MSN Reviewer

None of my three critiques commented on any other films or filmmakers. They were all far too distracted by how much they loathed “Soul Surfer.”