Carman: The Champion

It was a good story, "we all connect with a fighter in a ring." A little cheesy and a few holes, but it was something to sit and watch that didn't feel like a complete waste of time. Sloppy editing and some poor directing choices burned it including a disapearing puppy and a one date marrage proposal. Some good action in the ring with hard felt punches. You'll never guess who wins the final fight (sarcasm)and you'll never be able to guess why the bitter rivals are hugging eachother after one knocks the other out (no seriously, why would they do that?) The book is better and makes more sense, somebody thought they'd give it a happy ending and that make it better but it just made it too cliche. Rent for the kids don't buy. Buy the book and read it.

The Champion is a great date movie, even 1st date. The fight for former champion Orlando Leone, Jr, opens up so many great conversation topics for you and your possible new love. Example: the fight to remain true to your identity, the desire to find love after being burned and abandoned, the struggle to believe love is possible (and whats it gonna cost and can I afford her), the struggle to define your identity vs. your fathers dreams...I know it's a "guy movie" by all the adrenaline rush of the fight scenes; any guy will love this, and as for the ladies, they'll admire how the leading lady's criteria for love goes beyond the usual commercial movies' stereotypical EASY LOUISY. The competitive, complicated relationship of the brothers, their beautiful reunion, and the human struggle to find happiness after the world lands you in the humbling role of "has-been" are two other topics movie brings up, great 2 define what'

Rarely is a movie made like, "The Champion" and for this we can be eternally grateful. Carman left the music stage for a movie that can only be described as embarrassing. I love Carman's style of music (he's one of my favorite artists), but he doesn't belong in a full-length movie.

The Christian Film industry has produced B-end times flicks like "Judgment", "Tribulation", and "Revelation" which look like classics compared to this movie. As others have mentioned, Carman ripped off quite a bit from Rocky (surprised he didn't take the red, white, and blue shorts from the last few films). It also includes an implausible love story and just for kicks, the gratuitous blowing up a truck.

As noted, the movie has some big problems in terms of morals. While Christians struggle to teach their kids to behave in a morally responsible manner and avoid sexual immorality, Carman makes out in the front seat of his car with a woman he just met while her son sleeps in the back.

While Christians combat the destructive force of organized gambling and the lottery, Carman's character gets the youth center of his dreams because his brother bet a few million on the fight Carman won.

Finally, there was the Commercial with the "Whoop@--" soda which was of poor moral taste.

The film's redeeming values are found in the fact that it spurred Carman's second "Best of" collection including a new single "Heart of a Champion" which would have fit so well with the film.

Thank you, Carman and TBN, for making this wonderful movie. It was so good to be able to take my students to a movie and not have to worry about profanity, perverse/illicit sex, gratuitous violence,or glorification of hatred. Instead, we saw a family with problems that we have--division, the loss of a father, trying to hold on to dreams despite difficulties and the need for financial resources.

The setting is realistic. It is an inner-city area plagued with dope dealers who use children to make money, but inhabited by good people of all races trying to make a better life for their children and neighbors.

The acting is excellent. I have never seen the actress who plays Caesar's mother, but she is beautiful and utterly believable as a single mother working as a waitress struggling to raise her son. The champion boxer is really a boxer, not an actor, and he adds a great deal to the movie.

We loved the scenes in the center, with people of all races worshipping, working and eating together; the African American police officer who works with Carman; the second chance given to a parolee who wants to help young people avoid the mistakes he made; Carman's efforts to help a young boy who is going the wrong way.

But the movie is not a phony "sweetness and light" story. There is violence, but it is a natural part of the story. There is action: the fight scenes are very well-done.

The plot is involving and suspenseful. You will not be able to tell what is going to happen next.

The music adds to the movie. It ranges from traditional hymns to contemporary youth-oriented tunes such as "The Best-Kept Secret."

I recommend that everyone of all ages see this movie. Not only will you enjoy it, but your support will help ensure that Hollywood gets the message: THERE IS A LARGE AUDIENCE FOR CLEAN, FAMILY-ORIENTED MOVIES.

First of all, this movie will draw comparisons to Rocky right off the bat. You might even see some familiar camera angles, poses, and scenes. What you will not see is great acting from a great script. But the boxing scenes are surprisingly well done and quite believable. Real punches don't sound like a sledgehammer smashing a tree stump as Conan O'Brien said of Rocky. They sound more like smacks, the harder ones like thuds. The fights are intense and the blood and sweat flows freely. And lo and behold, the fighters actually block some blows. They got that much right.

Christian movies have long held the dubious distinction of being preachy. Not only that, squeezing the "good news" in is often like throwing an iron bar into the gears of Big Ben: it grinds story progress to a halt. But the movie doesn't Bible-bash or get too wishy-washy at any point.

Carman, who also wrote the script, has some cheesy one-liners and clunky dialogue, but has good screen presence and is helped out by a decent supporting cast. The cinematography looks flashy with some nice earthy filters for the outdoor shots.

On the whole, this is one of the better Christian films to date. It's worth a look. 6/10.