Pure Country 2: The Gift

I stumbled across this movie on HBO. I don't normally listen to country music, but I really liked Katrina Elam's singing, plus she's great to look at. Her acting is decent, plus she had some similarities to Bobbie Thomas, having gone to Nashville to make it in country music. The plot held my interest, kind of corny but uplifting. Bobbie falls for a rodeo cowboy, but the movie is so wholesome they don't even kiss. The three angels added a light hearted element to the movie, and country fans will like seeing George Strait's brief appearances, although fans of the first Pure Country will be disappointed that this movie isn't a continuation of the original. All in all, a good movie for families, Christians, country music fans.

If you're looking for a true sequel to 'Pure Country', you will not find that here. Christopher Cain has completely re-imagined the concept of the first film and now it involves angels from heaven and other supernatural elements. I guess that's what happens when you allow Dean Cain (TVs Clark Kent/Superman) to help write the script.

George Strait does show up for a cameo, playing himself. That was the highlight of this 90-minute circus. It sure wasn't as heartfelt as the original, nor did it have the splendor or compassion of the original 'Pure Country'. It's a shame to allow something like this to be called a sequel to a very real film.

The supernatural, a Jerry Springer-like sequence and the storyline are just insulting to the original film, that I could have cried, just because it's so bad!

Wow, I can't believe so many "reviewers" would speak so harshly of this movie. Perhaps it makes them feel good to sit at home with a computer and write a review of how bad a movie is, but how many of these people could go out and do any better. Not every film is design to win an academy award. Some are supposed to simply entertain. Sure it was predictable and corny, but it was a family friendly, fun movie with a good message. No cussing, sex, killing or violence. Wow, what a concept. I watched it with my four young grandkids and we all enjoyed it. I didn't know anything about Katrina Elam before this movie. What a beautiful young lady with a great voice. And for having no previous acting experience, she did great. How many reviewers who panned her performance can sing like she does or will ever be in, let along be invited to star in any movie? It would be nice if reviewers would be a little more realistic in their expectations and look a films for what they are; entertainment.

The original Pure Country is a fun sentimental romantic movie with some great honky tonk and ballads - not so this new version. It has a low budget Heaven Can Wait meets new country vibe that is pretty darn awful.

The plot is the first fault with angels and a gift of voice that is beyond corny in its representation, the second fault is the corn does grow as high as an elephant's eye - we just get all the country clichés and though the original has some heart, this has only saccharine - and almost comes across as,(take a deep breath), fake. Nearly anyways.

All in all, I was kind of looking forward to this; the original is actually pretty moving and with its "A Star is Born" plot moves along nicely - this sequel is just a mess.

I'm loathed to say it, but maybe you should give yourself the real gift this one time and give this a miss....

An aspiring country music singer with a special gift is caught between who she is and who she wants to be. After leaving home a woman who wants to be a singer tries her luck in Nashville. She soon realizes that the price of fame is not what she thought. I am a big George Strait fan but was not a huge fan of the original apart from the soundtrack. This one was over the top cheesy. George Strait is in this one too, but playing himself. If you liked the original I'm pretty sure you would like this one too. I give it a C+.

Would I watch again? - Probably not, but I may watch first one again just to see if I remember it right.