A Sort of Review and Thoughts on Sound of Freedom, the Movie and Phenomena
A Departure from Travel Posts….movie review!
“Unwanted travel upon which to never embark: human trafficking.”-Marinarena
Sound of Freedom (2023)
Directed by Alejandro Monteverde
Starring James Caviezel
Released by Angel Studios
What got me back in the cinema since just before the Covid era began?
A captivating thriller and significant tug-on-your-heart film called Sound of Freedom. It happens to be a movie covering the tragic subject of child sex trafficking. Whoa- this is not a summer popcorn movie whatsoever. Indeed, it’s no Jaws- but a jaw dropper and teeth seether, nonetheless. It’s downright terrifying and a borderline horror flick without gore. And like the mid ‘70s shark movie, SOF will turn out to be a blockbuster indelibly imprinted on the American psyche.
From the onset, SOF seemed not the obvious big box-office draw, considering its relatively small budget and well, morose theme. Watching a movie about kids suffering in the deep recess of trafficking hell is surely no fun we’d normally seek out. However, droves of film goers such as I were compelled and showed up to this movie from first week of U.S. release. The eagerness to get to the theater and watch was palpable. Why?
SOF was promised to be an extraordinary, mind-blowing, and genuine underdog of a movie- and it deliver as such! What a David over Goliath story with enormous heart. We love to root for the little, good guy! We were promised a good super-hero story and got one. Don’t we love watching super-hero films? Ultimately, the finished product shown on the big screen lived up to and surpassed expectations!
As a moral triumph of the human spirit, the film leaves the audience with a sense of hope even while dealing with an incredible darkness. Thankfully, no heavy hand of Hollywood was forced on the movie. Scenes of unabashed, gratuitous violence are absent in the movie. What is clearly shown on screen is the magnificent portrayal of Timothy, played by Caviezel (depicting real-life human trafficking fighter, Tim Ballard), as well compelling performances of ingenue child actors playing siblings, Rocío and Miguel.
Frankly, I just had to see this film. It was an obligation, like having to eat and drink water. So, in the cushy end-of-aisle cinema chair I was, on the 4th of July – sans the typical holiday and cinema food refreshment of hot dog and soda pop. Funny enough, I had an incredible appetite- simply to watch SOF. The hunger had been building for quite a while. Of course, thought of watching precious kids trafficked into sex slavery is sickening to stomach. Nevertheless, I had to watch this film, perhaps to humble me, remind me of the cold reality of this sick world and not take it for granted.
No great spoilers from me on SOF. Just the gist for you: A dad’s children get seduced and taken away to hellish places. Good and brave Timothy gets compelled to come to their rescue. Obstacles come his way. He embarks on arduous journeys to save the kids. You have a good idea what will happen in the end but the thrilling sequence of events, especially in the deep Colombian jungle, will quicken your pulse and keep you on your seat edge. You may very likely get bothered and frankly pissed off by some scenes and dialogue- but these are emotions that should be felt out. In a few strange, almost awkward moments, SOF even has some laughter, directed at the pedophiles.
You may also cry during the film- though I didn’t. This was due to seeing several preview trailers before hitting the cinema- couldn’t help that. That being stated, while the ending credits rolled up, tears were starting to shed down my face after I caught a glimpse of the girl beside me watering and whimpering. If I had turned my head back more to the theatre room audience, I would have balled big time! And then of course, Caviezel drew out some waterworks on me with his rousing on-screen call-to-action piece during ending credits.
So, in conclusion, SEE THIS MOVIE. Watch it on the big screen, uninterrupted. I know, I know. Many of you are lazy and want to stream the movie. But for goodness’ sake, make the effort to watch this at your local cinema. The grassroots cinematic push for Sound of Freedom is nothing short of amazing. It went well beyond its initial goal of 2 million tickets in pre-sales and is on the way to making tens, maybe hundreds of box office millions. Be a part of this phenomena. Have a shared experience with the film. Take the message shown during ending credits to heart and do what you can to help combat human trafficking- which can be as small as spreading awareness of the film, perhaps the bravest and daring feature in modern day cinema.
Oh, and pay absolutely no mind to the concocted political “controversy” surrounding SOF. It’s pure manipulation and shameful embarrassment. Mainstream media is mad. Let it stay mad along with big Hollywood– whose attempt to “cancel culture” it to brutal demise– failed miserably.
Sound of Freedom resonates- don’t hesitate and buy your tickets to watch.
Read poem inspired by the main girl featured
in the Sound of Freedom