Facing the GiantsMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 38 out of 100 Generally unfavorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
8 OK for kids 8+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 60
    Los Angeles Times |

    Facing the Giants, which despite its flaws is ultimately a sweet, sincere movie about Christian faith. Read full review

  • 50
    Variety | Joe Leydon

    For those who felt insufficiently uplifted by "Invincible" and "Gridiron Gang," here comes Facing the Giants, an aggressively inspirational drama about a born-again high school football coach. Read full review

  • 42
    Seattle Post-Intelligencer | Sean Axmaker

    Like too many films of faith, it mixes its message, proclaiming that a life given over to God is a reward unto itself, and then handing over victories to its faithful like some overtime bonus. Read full review

  • 20
    Austin Chronicle |

    Bottomless sermonizing would have played better in Sunday school than on the big screen. Read full review

View more reviews for Facing the Giants on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 8+ Faith-based pigskin tale.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that characters face adversity, like poverty, infertility, and generally not getting what they want. But the characters also succeed and face their challenges head-on. The film is heavy on scripture and religious revivals, which may or may not complement your family's religious leanings. For instance, students cry in religious fervor and Coach Taylor makes an example of one team member by forcing him to carry another team member on his back across the football field even though he's in pain.
  • Families can talk about the pressure boys and men face to be strong no matter what. Does that pressure help or hinder Coach Taylor in his daily life? What do you do in your family to deal with that pressure? If Coach Taylor is under pressure to support the family and make his team win, what role does his wife play? Is it fair to put that much pressure just on men? Viewers may also want to discuss your concept of faith. Does it match what you see here? Why or why not?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: Characters are shown facing their fears and not giving up -- presented with a strong Christian focus, which will be appealing to some and not to others. Another lesson: don't seek someplace new to follow your dreams, but "bloom where you're planted."
What to watch for
  • violence false0 Violence and scariness: Lots of tackling and football-related violence, but nothing graphic or bloody. Coach Taylor forces his player to push past pain even though he keeps saying he hurts.
  • sex false0 Sexy stuff: Brooke takes pregnancy tests. Grant finds out he's infertile and the couple talks about infertility.
  • language false0 Language: Not an issue
  • consumerism false3 Consumerism: Ford trucks are heavily represented.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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