Movie Review: Soul Surfer (2011) PG

This has to be one of the most inspirational, positive movies I have seen this year. The plot is based on a true story of a shark attack survivor. Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) has the dream of becoming a pro surfer. She's a high competitor against Malina Birch (Sonya Balmores), who portrays a tough-love competition. Hamilton refuses to give into Malina's overpowering attitude of "being the best", but instead learns to work with what she has.

Sarah Hill (Carrie Underwood) delivers a performance driven by faith and love. Hamilton's family is Christian, and Bethany is devastated when she is left behind as the church group goes to Mexico. However, through counseling with Hill, she is able to realize her new mission in life.

Hamilton gets back in the water as soon as her stitches come out, but finds Malina is now more of a tougher competitor. She perseveres through the competition, however, refusing extra start times by the judges. Hamilton is still on her life plan of turning pro and realizes has to do it with one arm. With the help of her father, she trains for future competitions and designs a board to fit her needs.

Hamilton and her best friend, Alana (Lorraine Nicholson), train for the championships throughout the movie. They have both been surfers since they were young, and Alana, like Sarah Hill, stays by Bethany's side in the worst of moments. Throughout the love and support of the other characters on screen, Bethany finds her real secret in life is connected to surfing. She's an inspiration to children all over the world who are disabled and struggle to accomplish their dreams.

Throughout the film, Hamilton faces struggles. However, she always finds a way to come out on top and face her next challenge. The strong faith in God has led her to achieve her to keep her faith, and Sarah Hill helps Hamilton to confirm this when she's in her lowest moments. One of the most memorable parts of the movie is when Hamilton joins her church in going to Twain. She persuades a young boy to get into the water and teaches him how to paddle on the surf board.

This is a great family film, which is one of the reasons Cheri Hamilton (Helen Hunt) chose to do the film. The filming is one of the most spectacular parts of the film. Throughout the film, Bethany questions why bad things happen to good people. She ends up finding the good in her situation and uses it to change her life. The movie leaves the audience warm-hearted and gives them inspiration to fulfill anything they want to accomplish. This heroic film gives the audience courage to have faith when God gives them struggles, and Carrie Underwood drives this home.