Carman: The Champion

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.

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'

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.

I would give this movie 4 out of 5 stars, it's unbelievably good. for whatever reason this movie was not available for preview for critics, and so far I haven't seen any ratings for this movie anywhere.

It's a great movie full of drama, romance and comedy, and with a believable story the movie while having a clear Christian message does not get "preachy" but dispenses with the message while entertaining you and at times keeping you on the edge of your seats, Definitely worth the price of admission at the Theaters, and not a movie you will be embarrassed taking your family

Maybe Hollywood will get the message that we would like great "Family Films" like this one

I saw Carman the Champion. I really really enjoyed this movie. Hollywood take notes. We don't want to see people showing all of their body parts. We want to see good movies with good values. I am a single parent. I took my son to see this movie because I knew that we would not have to walk out of the movie half way in to it. The character that Carman played is the kind of man that I would want to be a role model for my son. This is the kind of man who I want to marry. Keep up the good work TBN and Carman.