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Soul Surfer
2011
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67 %
46 %
Rotten
$ 47 Million
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Soul Surfer
Positive Reviews
37
Negative reviews
19
Average Rating
2.9
/5
inspirational
inspiring
resilient
terrific
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Positive
Negative
3.5
But Soul Surfer, while formulaic in design, is an authentic and heartfelt movie.
EW
3.1
Her religious faith is so unshaken, it feels taken for granted.The film feels more like an inspirational parable than a harrowing story of personal tr ..
Rogerebert
3.0
Credit also goes to Soul Surfers unabashed earnestness: Yes, its a message movie, but the message burrows deep enough under your skin to make the movi ..
Common Sense Media
0.0
Soul Surfer just sits there lifeless on a numbingly bland narrative template, waiting for a big wave of originality to validate its existence.
2.5
Such stories force filmmakers to drastically alter the filmmaking playbook, draining away all color or quirks of personality from characters based on ..
The Hollywood Reporter
2.0
Based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm to a shark at the age of 13 before going on to become one of surfings all time lege ..
1.5
The film feels more like an inspirational parable than a harrowing story of personal tragedy.
Rogerebert
2.5
Coming so soon after 127 Hours proved how well told a rote tale of triumph over adversity can be, Soul Surfer feels especially ham fisted and panderin ..
Cinema Blend
2.5
Quickly, it looks like heavy weather on the dialogue front, and Im afraid the forecast doesnt improve.Expect even the best actors to wipe out.
The Globe And Mail
2.5
Soul Surfer is more parable than plot.If youve been waiting for a faith based movie about surfing, your outrigger just came in.
Philly
2.5
I dont know what a shark attack feels like, but it cant be any more painful than that line.
Philly
4.0
Sean McNamara directs Soul Surfer with elan and fills the screen with incredible images of the blue waters and the rigors of competition.
Spirituality And Practice
2.0
Congratulations, Holly wood, for commissioning your own modern parable about a strained family questioning their faith, in which marquee names Dennis ..
Village Voice
4.4
Arresting, faintly menacing underwater shots show how vulnerable one is while paddling out to sea on a surfboard.
Rogers Movie Nation
3.0
Bethany Hamilton, a promising surfer from Kauai, nearly died in 2003 after a shark bit off her left arm, and her memoir inspired this biopic.
Chicago Reader
2.8
This is an inspirational sports drama stuffed full of Christian values and CGI that draws the eye in ways both good and bad.
2.5
A documentary featuring the real Bethany would have been far more compelling than this simplistic version.
Usa Today
4.0
The movies religious underpinnings, an integral part of Hamiltons story, are handled without preaching.Its an inspiring tale, extremely well told.
News Review
3.0
Sure, the film has its mawkish moments, but its a remarkable, well intentioned tale that deserves to ride its wave rather than to wipe out on it.
Radio Times
3.0
Spectacular Hawaiian scenery and gorgeous surf cinematography help make up for the one dimensional TV style morality.
Shadows On The Wall
2.0
Its not enough to describe Dead Man as simply an anti western; its an iconoclastic deconstruction of late 19th Century American values and mores, many ..
Pop Matters
2.0
In addition, the surfing sequences are extremely impressive and beautifully directed, while theres no denying the inspirational nature of the central ..
View London
2.5
Biopic Soul Surfer is not as inspiring as the real life story of Bethany Hamilton, a teen surfer who made a triumphant comeback after a shark attack.
Cs Monitor
1.9
Shamelessly pandering to the elusive Christian family audience, a committee of 18 producers and seven writers has removed nearly every trace of grit f ..
New York Post
3.5
With the terrific surfing visuals, gorgeous settings and lively pacing, there are many non sectarian pleasures to enjoy here.
Film Journal International ..
3.1
Faith for some is a combination of a belief in God and a belief in oneself.
Boston
2.0
The film that follows is thin and frothy, though watch out for that final sentimental upsurge.It could drag and lift you against your will.
Guardian
3.0
One of a series of inspirational Hollywood films consciously aimed at both faith based audiences and a more general public, this is a well meaning, ha ..
Guardian
3.5
Soul Surfer offers a role model for everyone not just teenage girls.
Reel Talk Reviews
2.5
Whats The Deal: It would be a lie to say that this movie rises above sports film cliches.
Movies
3.5
As a portrait of a spirited, resilient athlete, the movie succeeds best, unafraid to face its heroines daunting challenges directly.
The New York Times
2.5
Mirren is such a virtuoso talent that her crack comic timing and delivery is not a shock, but what is is how Brand ultimately settles into the role an ..
Mr Brown Movies
3.1
True, theres neither a lot of grappling nor many dark nights of the soul on display here.
Chicago Tribune
1.5
The Bottom Line An inspiring true life story gets a less than inspired film dramatization.
Hollywood Reporter
2.5
With its sports movie structure and Hollywood production values, Soul Surfer is a creditable crossover picture; it just couldve done with more nuance.
Groucho Reviews
2.5
One of the things film reviewers have to notice is when a film doesnt appeal to them but clearly does speak to its intended audience.SOUL SURFER is pr ..
Maki At The Movies
1.0
Her real life resilience is admirable and should be applauded, as despite the films clichd training montages and heavy handed religious overtones, Bet ..
Cine Vue
2.0
After all, with a tale this strong, what could go wrong.Pretty much everything, as it turns out, with the story buffeted into oblivion by a tidal wave ..
Mirror
1.9
Hamiltons triumph speaks for itself, and would have in a documentary.
Red Eye Chicago
2.8
There are some terrific elements in Soul Surfer, the based on a true story tale of Bethany Hamilton, the teen surfer who lost an arm in a shark attack ..
Cleve Land
3.0
As a portrait of a spirited, resilient athlete, the movie succeeds best, unafraid to face its heroines daunting challenges directly.
Ny Times
3.1
Way too precious and cornball, it is not the best way to start the film, but it does set the tone for what is to come.
Dustin Put Man
3.8
Enter Soul Surfer, an imperfect but compelling movie that succeeds largely on the strength of Hamiltons incredible but true story.
Christianity Today
5.0
Soul Surfer celebrates the joy of surfing and the satisfaction of overcoming a major obstacle in life.
Hollywood And Fine
3.5
Soul Surfer has enough integrity and surprise to lift it past a few canned moments, creating a substantial film when a cinematic disaster was all but ..
Brian Or Ndorf
4.4
Hunt manages to tap magnificently into what its like to possess unwavering faith when inexplicable tragedy strikes.
3.1
SHARE By of the Theres no warning to viewers of Soul Surfer, just as there was no warning to 14 year old Bethany Hamilton as she lay on her surfboard, ..
Js Online
1.0
Kind of like Blue Crush just with sharks the surf tastic story of pretty, devout Bethany Hamiltons triumph over adversity is bound to find an audience ..
Sky
2.0
Hamiltons story is a human one with spiritual underpinnings, yet to the detriment of the inherent drama, the filmmaker tells it the other way around.
Sbs
2.5
But Hamiltons story is so remarkable that the films tone cant sink it entirely.
No La
2.0
And following the suspenseful shark attack, Hamiltons comeback is a heavy handed plea for sympathy that doesnt do her real life struggle justice.
Metro
3.8
Like a surfer waiting for the right wave, Bethany waited for Soul Surfer, and the ride is worth it.
Decent Films
4.5
Mirthless is not the kind of adjective that makes its way onto full page movie ads, but its the most charitable way of describing the new Arthur, a re ..
Wsj
1.5
With its emphasis on a kind of honed invincibility, Hanna doesnt take fear seriously.
Denver Post
3.5
The film demonstrates how sometimes, in order to make huge gains, one must first (often unwillingly) incur massive loss.
Theepoch Times
3.0
And there still museums with pay what you wish admission, if not every day, then on certain days weekly or monthly.You just have to know who offers wh ..
New York Time Out
2.5
Exclusive Kendra and Joe Finally Get Alone Time in Counting On Premiere: Sneak Peek Finally allowed to kiss!
Us Magazine
5.0
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Ny Press
3.5
The performances are wonderful and true and the movie itself is exciting and lovely to look at.
The Diva Review
3.4
Yes, Soul Surfer trudges over some pretty common ground for a sports movie, but thankfully the actual story behind it is interesting enough to keep yo ..
Flixist
3.0
All but the most hard hearted of viewers will find plenty of spiritual e motion in the waves despite an overload of cliches and life advice soundbites ..
Birmingham Mail
2.0
But Soul Surfer often wipes out on underdog cliches and waves of melodramatic Hollywood cheese.
American Profile
3.1
A solid inspirational story that takes seriously a couple of things often made trivial in popular entertainment: surfing and religion.
Jackson Ville
4.4
From the production values to the savvy delivery of its Christian message, Soul Surfer is a champ.
News Ok
3.0
This is a nice little story that nevertheless lacks conflict whatsoever.
Yahoo Movies
1.5
Bethany Hamilton shows how hope and passion can build strength in the human spirit.
KW
2.0
The film is sincere and even a little sanctimonious in the way it depicts Hamiltons family, strong Christian values and work with post tsunami orphans ..
Daily Express (UK)
4.5
Its quality entertainment that will have a soul searching effect on movie lovers.
CBN
3.0
Its an uplifting and inspiring story showing that with faith, persistence and determination anything is possible, yet instead of gripping us as it sho ..
Urbancine File
See Where to Watch
Soul Surfer