God's Not Dead

Through movie history we've experienced many films in which we can be inspired from to strengthen our beliefs and possibly cause us to learn more about them. One can go back as far as 1956 with "The Ten Commandments", then "The Greatest Story Ever Told", then one can jump ahead and delve more into those inspirational films that can speak to us on more of a personal level: "Facing the Giants", "Fireproof", "Courageous" and "The Ultimate Life". Now we have "Son of God", "Noah" starting on 3-28, and this week there is in the offing, "God's Not Dead".

Present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Jeffrey Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins the first class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words, "God is Dead" on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh finds himself at a crossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future. Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from the smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that "God is Dead", he must prove God's existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the course of the semester, whom he gets much needed advice from Reverend Dave (David A.R. White), and ends up engaging Radisson in a head-to-head debate as the class being the final judge of who is right. If Josh fails to convince his classmates of God's existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he believes. Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn't it have just been easier to write "God is Dead" and have it all behind him?
"God's Not Dead" weaves together multiple stories of faith, doubt and disbelief culminating in a dramatic call to action. The film will educate, entertain and inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations and life-changing decisions.

Others to round out the cast are Benjamin Ochieng as Reverend Jude, Dean Cain as Mark, Paul Kwo as Martin Yip, Hadeel Sittu as Ayisha, Cory Oliver as Mina, Trisha LaFache as Amy Ryan, Marco Khan as Misrab, Ayisha's father, Alex Aristidis as Fahid, Ayisha's young brother, Renee Pezzotta as Dave's secretary, David Mills as a professor, Wendy Miklovic as a caregiver nurse, Lisa Hampton as an actress, Lisa Arnold as June Wheaton, Josh's mother, Jim Gleason as Ward Wheaton, Josh's father, Jesse Wang as Martin's father, Tommy Blaze as Dan Tibbs, car rental guy, and special appearances by Newsboys, Willie Robertson, and Korie Robertson.

This was effectively well paced by director Harold Cronk ("Jerusalem Countdown" '11, "The Adventures of Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Treasure" '13, "Silver Bells" '13). As his resume dictates, Cronk certainly knows how to effectively emit just enough emotion through his characters to bring home that message he continues to convey. It was written by Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon based on a story by Hunter Dennis, Konzelman and Solomon. One of the things that make this interesting is it was written in a kind of "Crash" type of format whereas it takes different people in different ways of life, all going through difficult situations and slowly you see that these people actually are connected in very different ways--ways one doesn't expect. You wonder where this script is going, and all of a sudden it starts unfolding before your eyes which was obviously purposed.

This is a story about faith, challenges, fear, inspiration, redemption and reconciliation all rolled up in less than a 2 hour running time. Where else can you go and get all this with something to ponder about when you leave the theater?

Out of 4 Stars: 4                         Rated: PG                         113mins.