Well, this movie was a shock to see and to hear. Among the thousands of mainline films I have watched over many years, this is the first I've seen with a modern-day story that was unapologetically Christian. It actually used Jesus and God's name as you would hear in a sermon in church. Of course, the fact that "Hollywood" didn't make this film is understandable; it was produced, directed, written, etc., by a Baptist church in Georgia.

But - surprise - it's available in good quantities at the video stores and actually has the production values of a big-budget Hollywood film. In other words, this looks nice and, for the most part, is adequately acted even though amateurs do the acting. The only one I thought sounded wooden, unfortunately, was Alex Kendrick playing the main character: coach Grant Taylor, the Shiloh Christian High School football coach. Kendrik directed and wrote this film, so kudos to him for all that wonderful work....but an actor, he ain't. Real-life University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt makes a guest appearance and he sounded very relaxed and convincing, as a professional actor would sound. They should have given Richt the main role!

Yes, the story is hokey, especially at the end at the last football game, but what Hollywood movie isn't? It's just a little far-fetched to anyone who knows football. At any rate, the action scenes were well-done and very realistic looking.

To see a movie with this many inspirational and profound Biblical statements was a "revelation" and really nice to see (hear). Hokey or not, there are several moments in this film that should drive most viewers to tears. If not, check your pulse.

The main message of the movie: "All things are possible with God," is a good one and one everyone, including Christians, need to be reminded of periodically. Secular people who don't want to hear anything positive about God or the Bible, or who are just plain biased against Christians, will hate this film and wouldn't last 30 minutes watching it. I have a very good friend who is in that category and I couldn't recommend the film to him, because he'd be in the bathroom puking his guts out after a half hour. However, if you are more tolerant, or are a follower Of Jesus Christ, then you will find this film inspiring and emotional and worth your time.

A movie about football and faith. Shiloh Christian Academy has a football team that has not had a winning season in six years. Coach Grant Taylor(Alex Kendrick)is down trodden and losing his faith. Facing problems with unhappy team boosters that want his job terminated. His car won't run. And he and his wife face the problems of starting a family. Coach Taylor finds a new outlook on things when restoring his faith and getting his team to dedicate its attention to honoring God. Good things begin to happen and the Shiloh Eagles find themselves with a winning season and a shot at becoming champions. A wholesome, very predictable film that wipes away cynicism and doubt and encourages never giving up, never backing down and never losing faith. Kendrick also directs and shares writing credit with his brother Stephen. Also starring are: Jason McLeod, James Blackwell, Bailey Cave, Jim McBride and Ray Wood. Game sequences are not all that impressive. Before the credits roll there is that unmistakable warm and fuzzy feeling.

In Facing The Giants no one can remember the last time the Shiloh Christian Academy football team had a winning season. Certainly not in the six year tenure of coach Alex Kendrick. In fact life has been discouraging in general for Kendrick, he and his wife Shannen Fields have been trying for a baby for years and that's going nowhere. This is the south where they take their football seriously even at a Christian high school. Some of the parents, male parents that is are even conspiring to get him dumped and they have in mind one of his assistant coaches for the top job.

As this is a Christian film certain parameters must be observed and what happens is that Kendrick gets his faith renewed and that inspires what was a sad sack team to go on and face the perennial state champions, a team called the Giants.

Seeing a number of these films I wonder how God deals with it when two teams have their roster similarly saved. I've got trouble believing that the Creator of infinite time and space and matter in this universe worries about an athletic contest on one small dust speck in the place called planet earth.

Still I will say that for its kind it's not a bad piece of entertainment. Of course you will not know any of the cast members unless you are on the Christian film circuit for some of them. I did think that the performance of Bailey Cave who is a soccer player and tries out for football as a place kicker was very touching, especially in relationship to his crippled dad.