Carman - O Campeão

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.

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 movie had great action as well as a great story. Although it did seem to jump around a little and some things weren't fully flushed out, the overall was great!

I love going to movies that encourage and inspire me in my own life. It's great to see someone else having to hold onto their Faith in God's promises and even having to do things that seem impossible.

It's not just a boxing movie. It's a movie about Faith and courage. Everyone should be able to find something that they like about the film.

I can't wait until it's available on video so that I can own a copy!!

This movie also has a great soundtrack, which I hope is available soon as well.

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.