Road to Redemption

"Road to Redemption" is great family viewing material, and it includes the Gospel message! This movie has enough substance that it can be watched over and over. It is entertaining - provoking numerous outbursts of laughter. The conversations between the grandfather and granddaughter are thought provoking, as well as inspiring, giving ideas on how to share Christ with loved ones. The value in this type of film far exceeds the mindless, deceiving garbage that movies usually offer. Although the "Left Behind" movies have an important and necessary message of their own, they aren't suitable for family viewing (for families with pre-teens, that is). "Road to Redemption" is suitable for family viewing, and makes for a great family evening.

Usually, when you know the movie is put out by Billy Graham, no one is going to be converting to Zoroastrianism by the end of the movie. The subplot is usually the same in every movie: Christian befriends non-Christian, non-Christian (and audience) hears the plan for salvation, and non-Christian usually becomes a Christian by the end. There's little suprise in that part.

This movie reminded me a lot of the old "Walt Disney Presents" movies on Sunday night TV. Family-friendly, geniunely funny in some places, a little corny in others, and usually had some pro-social message in the end - be nice to old people, don't shoot deer, listen to Julie Andrews sing and you'll be rewarded by dancing on the celing....whatever. So, I guess you can call old Disney movies "propaganda disgusied as a movie," or whatever the bitter guy said a few posts back.

As a light comedy, it works. The "Bad guys" are silly, the chase scenes are fun, and there are a few running gags that pay off towards the middle and end. Besides any "Christian" comedy that dares to take a swipe at the Partridge Family can't be that bad, can it? The parts that are shaky, as it sometimes is with WWP movies, the "Serious" moments between the granddaughter and grandfather are slow at times, and the scenes at the end are cliched. But, like I said, it's like a Sunday night Disney movie....You know what you're getting yourself into.

Julie Condra gets a hold of some mob money and goes on a spree. But when the syndicate finds out she's forced to flee. Her only hope is her grandfather who has put away a few shekels in his life to give her the money to pay back what she owes. She can only hope they'll forgive her, but these are not known to be forgiving people.

It's a Christian movie put out by the Billy Graham Ministry so expect the usual Christian parameters involved. Pat Hingle plays the grandfather and he's always good. There's an interesting role for Wes Studi an American Indian who has brought his tracking skills to the mob. They do pay well for his services I'm sure.

But if you want to see a really good film about someone who got a hold of syndicate money and is trying to shake them, watch Walter Matthau in Charley Varrick.

Amanda is just a bit in debt. Her car is about to be repossessed, causing her live-in boyfriend Alan to suggest that she ask her boss for a raise. Trouble is, the boss man is a mobster and Amanda gets cold feet. However, she is put in charge of a shipment soon to arrive. Although she is instructed to file the package in the safe and close the door, the box falls apart in her hands. Hey, there's a quarter of a million dollars here! The A & A team go to the racetrack and end up losing it all. The mob is upset. But, wait. Amanda has a rich grandfather she hasn't seen for years. Could she hit him up for the money? This is a cute movie with great messages. Julie Condra, as Amanda, gives an inspired performance as the girl with her priorities slightly askew. Pat Hingle, as the grandfather, also gives a sweet turn as the man who found Christ and wants to share his faith with his long lost granddaughter. And, teach her some valuable lessons. As the pair go off to reclaim a vacation spot they shared long ago, the hit men come after them and the trip is fun, fun, fun, with bikers and a Partridge Family loving mobster thrown in the path. Thus, the script is inspired in more ways than one. If you love road trip movies, you'll feel dandy after watching this film. But, more important, if you want to share the Christian faith with anyone, including church camp crowds, this would be a great choice. It supplies the laughs at the same time it provides the road to ultimate salvation.

I don't understand why this movie is getting some negative reviews. My wife and I borrowed it from a friend and loved it. I get so tired of movies being full of nudity and profanity, especially using the Lord's name in vain. This was a fun, clean movie, has great morals, and gives the plan of salvation. Was it predictable? Yes. What's so wrong with a funny, predictable movie? Not every movie has to have a surprise ending or a twist to be good. I have seen a couple of other movies from World Wide Pictures and enjoyed them as well. I recommend this film to anyone who would like to see more movies where their children don't have to cover their eyes or close their ears.