25 Hill

Trey a young boy's father dies and Ms Banner a woman in his school arranges for Trey to meet with Roy a fireman who lost his son in 911. The boy is positive and the fireman is kind of distant and a lot older. At some point they have a meeting of minds because they both like Soap Box Racing.

It shows how they deal with their hurt and anger from the past and also for losing a car race. Times change and Trey and Roy become friends but Roy is in some financial trouble.

Parts of the movie made me cry and laugh. It is a good family film full of real life sadness and joy.

Apple pie as they come but a very touching and heartwarming family film. I have no issues with being candy sweet and wishfulness, it takes the brakes off and allows indulgence. A boys pain turns to dreams and determination regarding the soap box derby and along the way he touches the hearts of those around him. A little schmaltzy in the Christian area but a refreshing conclusion with a different set of ideas of what it is to win. It was well paced and very cute but sometimes that is what is needed over cocoa and popcorn, for me anyway. I would imagine kids between 8 - 14 might just enjoy this movie. The boy in me did. It was nice to see Ralph Waite (old man Walton) in the credits as the derby manager, as I said. Apple pie !

I watched this movie on one of the U.S. religious cable channels, under the title Heart of a Hero. Best: actor Nathan Gamble... He was very believable and sincere with a script that I suspect most preteens and teens would find difficult (praying, for instance). Very good at crying. Perhaps not quite so good at it as Bobs Watson, but very convincing. Good: The movie promotes a worthy hobby for boys and girls.

Problems: I did not care much for the obvious advertising-- a major vehicle insurance company and others. Not very subtle at all.

Finally, why on earth was this done with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio? When my flat screen re-sized it to fit the screen, the boy and other characters were vertically squashed, making them all looked stunted and overweight. Did this happen because the movie was not shot with movie film, but rather was all digital?