MMT Quick Review and Giveaway for OVERCOMER now on Blu-Ray, DVD + Digital

Happy Holidays MMT Fam! This will be the final post and giveaway of 2019, as I am taking a small break to celebrate Christmas and refresh with a few vacation days leading into the new year. But first, I want to share a few thoughts on a screener I received called OVERCOMER, the new Kendrick Brothers film that was released December 17 on Blu-Ray, DVD and digital.

Here’s the synopsis: Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison (Alex Kendrick) after he loses his basketball team and is challenged by the school’s principal, Olivia (Priscilla Shirer), to coach a new sport he doesn’t know or like. As John questions his own worth, he dares to help the least likely runner take on the biggest race of the year.

Okay, I will preface my thoughts by advising anyone who hasn’t read my review for WAR ROOM by the Kendrick Brothers to click here. Just as I cautioned viewers back in 2015, “Overcomer” definitely gets the same warning for those who are mostly against viewing Christian-themed films.

But I will also be honest and add that out of the movies I’ve seen by the brothers – which include both “War Room” and the poignant “Fireproof” – this story is by far the most overdone and excessive principle-wise, even for this Christian girl.

Although all these movies are designed to inspire and witness God’s power, I believe “Overcomer” moved into “self-reliant” territory with one of its plot lines, and I could not recover from one character’s particular action. Now this is a non-spoiler sight, as much as it can be, so please take caution with next paragraphs – because it will be difficult to avoid potential spoilers while discussing this particular criticism.

In the film, Alex Kendrick’s character John forms a friendship with a hospitalized man named Thomas (Cameron Arnett), whom John comes to learn is a relative of one of his students. However, this student’s caretaker hasn’t informed her that this person even exists.

But John, believing the student needs to be aware – an opinion which most reasonable people might agree – takes it upon himself to tell the her. However, John does so without first discussing with the caretaker – an action I think many people would debate, and one that I believe is a privileged display of “knowing what’s best” for someone else’s life.

What I most enjoyed about the film, however, were the honest performances by Arnett and newcomer Aryn Wright-Thomas, who plays Hannah – a teen who’s journey throughout the the film leads her from questioning her existence to finding a higher purpose and becoming a leader for others.

In sum, there are great messages in “Overcomer”, especially the resiliency of Cameron Arnett’s Thomas despite his circumstances. Taken at face value, the film is a positive tale about overcoming challenges to find a greater purpose. However, unlike other Kendrick Brothers films, I think this film allowed a main character to rely more on his judgement call than the God the films serve to witness. I would rate it a 2.5 out of 5 on the MMTrometer.

You can get additional info and watch the trailer for OVERCOMER at the official website here.

Now, who wants to put their name in the hat win a copy on Blu-Ray, DVD and digital? like this post and be a follower on either Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and leave a comment saying “Pick Me.” That’s three steps, so make sure to follow them all! One winner will be selected at random and receive a direct message on Saturday, January 4th with instructions for receipt.

Good luck, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa MMT Fam!

Until next thought, Thomasena.