Sound of Freedom movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Sound of Freedom

This action thriller movie releases in theaters on July 4, 2023.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 2 hours 15 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: A

IN A NUTSHELL:

The dramatic and heart wrenching movie is based on an incredible and true story about Tim Ballard, who quit his job at Homeland Security in order to hunt down pedaphiles and find kidnapped children who had been sold as slaves in the sex industry. What noble, dangerous, and disgusting work!

I’m not going to sugarcoat it…due to the topic, this movie is brutal to watch.

It’s not mentioned in the movie anywhere, but I wanted to let you know that Tim has created an organization called Operation Underground Railroad where you can volunteer your time and talents or money to help fight child trafficking. I’ve been donating and participating in his volunteer projects for several years now. It is absolutely worth your consideration. While you’re at it, encourage people to check out www.Angel.com/freedom for free tickets to see the movie or to gift tickets to others!

The film was directed by Alejandro Monteverde. I thought he did a great job handling a very difficult topic. He also wrote the screenplay with Rod Barr.

THINGS I LIKED:

I’m so impressed with Jim Caviezel. Not only is he a fine actor but he is an exceptional human being. He adopted three special-needs children many years ago and continues in this cause of supporting children by choosing to be in this movie that has caused him to be blacklisted in Hollywood. Tim Ballard personally requested that Jim Caviezel play him in the movie even though the producers advised against it.
The rest of the cast was also superb and included Mira Sorvino, Bill Camp, Jose Zuniga, Kurt Fuller, Eduardo Verastegui, Alanna De La Rossa, Lucas Avila and Cristal Aparicio.
While the subject matter is disturbing, haunting, and horrifying, the movie still manages to leave you with a positive feeling of hope in the end.
Hopefully, people’s rightful anger about child trafficking will spur them to take action, not necessarily by doing the dangerous work that Tim Ballard does but by donating to the cause in volunteer time or money.
There’s a sweet scene where a young boy gives Tim Ballard, played by Jim Caviezel, a necklace to thank him. Tim Ballard didn’t want that scene in the movie because he thought people wouldn’t believe it really happened, but it did!
Out of all of the movies and TV shows that Jim Caviezel has been in, he considers this film and The Passion of the Christ to be his two most important roles.
We see some horrifying, real video clips of children being grabbed by kidnappers right on the streets.
Despite the movie’s sober tone, there are still some moments of humor that made the audience I watched the movie with laugh.
We get to travel to Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico.
The musical score was perfect, capturing the Latino flavor. I love the song “Sound of Freedom” by Estela Monteverde that played at the end of the film.
I really wanted to see Tim Ballard/Jim Caviezel kick bad-guy butt. Tim Ballard showed incredibly impressive self-restraint.
Keep watching after the rolling credits at the end of the movie for a special, moving message by Jim Caviezel.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It’s really hard to watch a movie about the topic of pedophilia and human trafficking, especially when innocent children are involved.
What’s crazy is that the liberal media are saying this isn’t a good movie because it’s connected with Q-Anon conspiracy theories. What the what? This is a TRUE story! The human trafficking numbers are REAL. Why on earth would they be on the side of scumbag pedophiles?

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

This is NOT appropriate for young children to watch; however, it IS vital that you teach your children about “Stranger Danger” and to always be aware of their surroundings.
Some profanity
Smoking
Lots of alcohol
We see people making cocaine.
A lot of Spanish is spoken and sung, sometimes with subtitles and sometimes without.
Talk of suicide
Although we don’t see “the act”, we know that sexual abuse is happening to children

THEMES:

Kidnapping
Sex trafficking
Family
Your life’s work – doing something in your life that truly matters
Listening to God
Some fighting with guns, knives, and hand-to-hand combat

FUNNY LINES:

None. This is a serious drama.

INTERESTING LINES:

“I’ve been to a lot of murder scenes but this shxx’s different.” – Tim Ballard’s detective partner at Homeland Security
“It’s a messed up world.” – Tim’s partner
“God’s children are not for sale.” – Tim Ballard (Jim Caviezel)
“When God tells you what to do, you cannot hesitate.” – Vampiro (Bill Camp)