
Designed with a veritable assortment of resources at their disposal the literal and figurative sons of Pastor Edwin Kendrick are perhaps most internationally significant in the current era of religious films. Even if their career was defined by quite a number of inaugural cinematic missteps that welcomed storms of enmity from the pantheons of mainstream success, the combined works of Facing the Giants and Courageous contributed significantly to the validation of Christian Films into an uncontested space of film making. Thereafter, the baton was passed with the likes of Angel Studios and Kingdom Story Group running with the genre further. With their newest work, The Forge the Kendrick brothers have continued to remain relevant even with everything else continuing to change. While this new film brings a refreshingly new tale it feels like a cliche dressed in a new costume as the believable character’s robust plot, and moves do seem to come to life. The positive message The Forge intends to place across is interesting to watch but struggles to find a tone or medium that is not overstated or used in an essence of pretentiousness. The message is certainly engaging but the film easily comes off as an entertaining over-the-top bachelor school class as it tries to pass on the message of Jesus Christ.
These films The Forge belong to a rather different genre altogether. Because of the simplicity of the plot and dialogues the cinematography lacks in feeling the drama within or the portrayal of credible layers that most people are accustomed to in Hollywood films. However, the Forge pushes the absolute limits even further. It cannot really be primarily classified as a film or a movie because it is nothing more than an elaborate brochure. The film lacks even basic concrete aspects of storytelling, the directorial choices, and editing that usually accompanies such a strong message.
As a result and as difficult as it may seem the best way to deal with this film should be to consider it as composed of two different films one the visual work and the other the message. The film like other works of art is judged by the quality and ability to entertain and so should faith-based films (or so one could argue they ought to show even better competence). Still, with quite a high anticipation for the work for The Forge, I presume that many from its audience ought to want to reaffirm their values and will be content with the film’s quality. To those people, the filmmakers and producers seem to be pandering towards please skip the next two paragraphs. For the rest who are the critical thinkers, the offensive provocation is coming.
But I do not want to be so harsh so I will try to temper some of the consequences. Having a Christian pacifist viewpoint I think the sweetheart of the film, preaching and discipleship is something admirable for many. However, quite shockingly, by every standard The Forge is neither brilliant or even mediocre. I can only assume this is a product made by well intentioned preachers, instead of people who respect the medium of film. Instead of making a movie, The Forge uses it more as a means to get something across.
A while ago quite a few people were shunning the Kendrick brothers due to the stereotype that all intentions behind the cameras are to convert everyone towards Christianity through making movies that serve as powerful gospels. It apparently left a bitter taste to which they said Grape juice, anyone? What we are trying to say here is that, don’t be surprised if you hear about forging it as, a gospel without any camouflage. This film makes it explicit that it is intended to inspire people including the use of a scene where one of the characters reads gospel literature so the audience can hear it. And on the screen, they are not actors but the speakers of the film whose words are not their own but the words of the Creator’s sermon.
The utter proclamation of such irritating sermons would have been bearable as long as there was a little bit of sweetness because sugar helps in ingesting medicine making it a hot-selling combination. But in this narratively loud chaotic world where everyone throws big life lessons to everyone, there is quite a great deal of nothing going on. There is hardly any character development that the audience can resonate with or relate to. It takes seventy minutes into the movie before the audience sees any character development. Then don’t expect laughter out of nowhere and expect umpteen unique camera angles that nobody’s ever seen before. Most of the advancement in the film comes through discussing which happens a lot with crying and loud music in the background and such picture that is moving or action that is fast forwarded does not exist in the film. Rather the prayer is amusing in its own sorry we don’t have to mess with speaking way which means that a prayer was used as a prime narrative tool to explain the missed moments of a character’s inner conflict.
Despite the weaknesses, it is fair to say that the film is not entirely dreadful (for those who have tuned out the previous three or four paragraphs, welcome back). First I’d say The Forge is such a film that it achieves its purpose and those who desire stories with religious themes will step out from the cinema grateful. For viewers who want to see Christians make a stand within their values in strong terms, however, the Kendrick brothers have got you covered.
Most likely, The Forge is more about issues other than it is about entertainment. In the same spirit, I believe it does make room for the favored cliche Christian in the film as it includes an epilogue of sorts to help frame what stands as a pivotal moment for the Christian. As one character says, People want to be saved Nonetheless most do not want to go about that piece being a disciple of Jesus. Such great arrangements of this film are bound to attract a wholesale of these films accompanied by a bible study series. Let us hope for those mediums that they are persuasive and enable Christians to be disciple bearing people themselves, especially the younger generation.
In essence, the information being provided by the Kendrick brothers is one that is worthwhile to the Christian folks.
There are some aspects of this film that could have been handled with a little more elegance which is a shame because. I think they had the right aim. Like Luke Skywalker in the cave on Dagobah, the vast majority of people who see this film will walk away from it with exactly what they came in reasoning with. If you look forward to a Christian cast making endearing Christian movies then this is the film for you. If you are looking for artistry in films then do not expect it from this one. In as much as there are people who remain supportive of the Kendrick brothers and their ability to preach to the choir The Forge comes across as a missed opportunity. Cinema has vast possibilities and should be more than simply offering Christians another platform for bible study.
Discipleship
This film includes startling images and content yet words continue to be more important than images. There is no doubt that there are themes throughout the film, although lessons learned are probably not the most effective way to characterize the film’s educational offerings. The team does aim to highlight a variety of themes that include forgiveness the power of prayer, salvation, personal responsibility, evangelism, and perhaps most importantly to the film, Christian discipleship. The film aims to present discipleship as intergenerational where such people are constantly being disciples, and being equipped to make more disciples.
Discipleship ought to come at a cost. This quote expresses concern illustrated by one speaker Dryzek in which he gave up golf for Christianity.
The young adult he is mentoring deliberately decides not to engage in video games. The moviemakers want to portray a message that the need for Jesus and the peace that comes from following him and having a purpose in life is much stronger than the worldly things you give up for Him. This film gives a kind of blueprint for its viewers to establish their own Forge in which multi generational men (and presumably women) shoulder each other’s loads.
This is an encouraging message. However, There is an element that annoyed me a bit. No offense to the Baby Boomer generation but the film’s view on the future generation appears to give off this sense of Boomer fantasy. It portrays all young adults today as only lethargic and unmotivated drifters who indulge in video games and other non-productive activities and require a stern lecture from the older generation to help them mature. Maturing is necessary as is direction. But this movie seems to have more of a talking to young people rather than about younger people. Within the movie, the main character has an arc that centers on becoming a good boomer, a person who ignores most of their passions and friends due to working long hours and going to church frequently.
During the film, he matures into a more responsible person but in the process, his self image departs him. This is well meaning in intent, but it is a call to uniformity where the youth are not embraced for their complexities and the uniqueness they offer. It reminds me of this old lady who was associated with my youth group she was not there because she loved the teenagers but she hoped to fix them.
Masculinity
The Forge’s depiction of biblical masculinity works within a larger culture that has sought to redefine, shrink, or even demonize manhood. It is not done at the expense of women or through supporting alpha male worship, but rather, it extends a tough love to men and urges them to take ownership over their lives: Putting in work is part of being a man. It is likely that younger Jake’s objectives will alienate some young adults in the audience of this film, but it also offers a few valuable dad lessons to the boys about the proper way to shake hands with someone, how to keep one’s eye contact and how to arrive somewhere on time.
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