ScoobyMint Disappointment for a huge fan!

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Neil Welch Born to the water, 13-year old Bethany is a promising competitive surfer when she loses her left arm in a shark attack.Based (fairly accurately) on the real-life story of Hawaiian Bethany Hamilton, this film is described as "faith-based" and, as an agnostic, I would have lost interest quite quickly had the movie taken an evangelistic approach to the role the family's faith played in Bethany's life after the attack. However, the film is content to acknowledge it and move on: a sensible approach, because Bethany's story is both amazing and moving, and does not need the distraction which concentration on faith would have generated.The story is never less than gripping, it is well told, it is very well acted (particularly by AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany), and the Hawaiian scenery, and the surfing, look great. And, to my surprise (especially given that I do not think I am part of the target demographic), I found it intensely emotional: I was frequently in tears, and not just out of distress over Bethany's injury.I was particularly impressed by the CGI removal of AnnaSophia Robb's arm: not so much by its on-screen absence, more by the fact that her body did not betray the existence of an unseen limb in terms of movement and balance, something which is often the case with digital limb removal (eg. Gary Sinise in Forrest Gump).And, completely aside from the film, it is heartening to see that Bethany has become a professional surfer and an inspiration to thousands.

jre-5 There may be a few very minor spoilers here, but nothing that wouldn't be seen in reading basic info about the film.This is one of my favorite films, it's very inspirational and emotional. The fact that it's a true story (overall at least) is what makes it so special. Ironically, I think that my favorite part is the ending credits when it shows videos of the real Bethany Hamilton and things that she has done since the attack. It's truly amazing that she has become a champion surfer even though she only has one arm, it hardly seems possible.As a Christian, there are a couple parts that I consider to be inappropriate, mainly the photo shoot. But most of the film is fully acceptable. I was worried that it would be like the movie "The Blind Side" which has a lot of bad language and inappropriate stuff. But thankfully that's not really the case. The fact that Bethany Hamilton and her family are Christians in real life is probably the main reason why. It's interesting that they insisted on having a couple Bible verses.The shark attack, and the rescue are rather intense, so if you're sensitive to things like this, you may want to skip this part. I don't mind it, I probably shouldn't call it exiting, since it was a very tragic event, but I do enjoy watching it. The rest of the film is mostly gentle.

TheBlueHairedLawyer Bethany is your average boring, snotty, melodramatic teenage girl, but one exception is her intense love of surfing. She lives in Hawaii right next to the beach, is home-schooled and has plenty of time to surf with her parents and siblings, as well as competing with her friend in a surfing contest. With everything going her way, it seems like nothing could go wrong... but the same day her father goes for surgery Bethany has her arm eaten by a shark and realizes that life won't ever be the same. Somehow she proves though, that even when you seem beyond help, with support and optimism you can do anything.I have to say, at times Bethany seemed like quite a snob; it wasn't until her terrible experience that she changed from her lousy personality. The soundtrack was half-decent, the acting was pretty good and the plot was based on a true story. The real Bethany Hamilton is a famous surfer, who really does only have one arm.One complaint I have is the large amount of religion shoved into the film. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against religion, but I'm not religious and all the "have faith in god" stuff was rather annoying. In moderation it would add to the plot and the character of Bethany, but too much of it got on my nerves.

SnoopyStyle This is the real life story of 13 year-old champion surfer Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) who loses her arm from a shark attack. This is definitely a feel-good inspirational story. It's about over coming the odds, and belief in God.And it achieves that, but it doesn't make for a compelling drama. Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid are veterans doing a competent job as her parents. Carrie Underwood is distracting as her Christian adviser. It would better to have an actual actor in the role. She seems uncomfortably cheerful. Anna Sophia Robb is a solid actor, but nothing dramatic. If there's any tension, it must come from the competition. However it's just not set up well enough. They needed to elevate a competitor as a lead character. But they chose not to pump up the drama.