unstoppable christian movie review

UNSTOPPABLE

"god’s love is unstoppable".

What You Need To Know:

(CCC, BBB, V, N) Very strong Christian and Biblical worldview that explores themes like providence, grace, redemption, and why God allows bad things to happen to good people, and much of the movie is about Scripture; the “d” word is heard in a song, though not as a cuss word; reenactments show Cain chasing down Abel and killing him, the killing takes place out of frame, but the camera lingers on a stream of blood that flows from Abel’s body; no sexuality; reenactments of Adam and Eve show upper male nudity and shows just enough female skin to imply she’s naked, though little is shown; no alcohol; no drugs; and, nothing else objectionable.

More Detail:

UNSTOPPABLE is a documentary hosted by Kirk Cameron, who also brought us MONUMENTAL in 2012. The movie addresses some of life’s most difficult questions. Questions like: Where is God in the midst of tragedy; and: Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?

UNSTOPPABLE begins with Kirk talking about the loss of their friend Matt, a young teenage boy struggling with cancer. Kirk recounts his conversation with Matt’s father, who couldn’t explain to his son why God wasn’t healing him. This is a question that so many parents around the world ask. It sends Kirk on a journey to revisit Scripture, to discover the character of God and to understand how and why He does what He does.

Kirk then takes the audience to the beginning of history; the creation of man, the fall of Adam, and the first murder. By understanding God’s story in the Bible, we can better understand our story today, and God’s sovereign hand in it.

UNSTOPPABLE is an important message, though told in a unique way. It plays more like a sermon than an actual documentary or story. As Kirk explains Adam and Eve from Genesis, reenactments are played out for dramatic effect, though they don’t add much. In fact, the reenactments are distracting and draw attention from the actual story. The pacing is a little slow throughout. Some scenes go on too long. Some of the music is too obscure. Also, some of the direction lacks focus. However, the movie is meant to be played out as a live one-day event with other material, including some live interviews that Kirk and his team are doing. So, UNSTOPPABLE is not a movie that’s meant to stand totally alone.

By itself, however, UNSTOPPABLE contains a very important Christian message reminding us of God’s love and His grand plan for the human race. Kirk Cameron’s message will encourage many people who are struggling with loss or pain. Some of the reenactments do contain heavier elements that parents should be aware of before taking younger children to see this movie.

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Movie review of kirk cameron's 'unstoppable'.

The thought of spending $12.50 on a movie frightens me. I am perfectly content watching my favorite latest series on Netflix. The thought of going to a movie theater no longer appeals to me as it did ten years ago. So what would compel me to visit the theater this time? I confess, I was intrigued. I have been following Kirk Cameron for some time now. Kirk's rise to stardom occurred in the late '80s with "Growing Pains." Since then, Cameron has come to Jesus and turned his career toward the Christian movie industry. His official entrance into the evangelical scene came in the 2000 movie, "Left Behind." In those days, Cameron had drunk deeply of Tim Lahaye's best sellers. The Left Behind series became a sensation. The 16-part novels emphasized the rapture, a popular evangelical doctrine of the end-times. The "Rapture" occurs when Jesus calls His Church home. The vision of falling airplanes, tightly folded clothes, and millions of people disappearing has become more than fiction; to many, it is Christianity in its purest form. And Cameron's movies became the face of it.

Fast forward several years. Cameron's involvement in broad apologetic and evangelistic work with Ray Comfort has given him some notoriety. He has spoken courageously on a host of moral issues and has received the type of media persecution expected from those who are antagonistic to the exclusivity of Jesus.

Cameron's personal journey led him to some interesting figures. His youthful appeal can be deceiving. Kirk has actually become a fine thinker. And the greatest proof of his ability to engage the world of the Bible intelligently is his latest movie entitled "Unstoppable." Originally presented to an audience of 10,000 people at Liberty University, Cameron explores the traditional question of theodicy: "If God is sovereign, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people?"

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A Case for Christian Activism

The theme song summarizes the basic thrust of the movie. There is a time to speak and that time is now. Cameron's investigation provides an apologetic for Christian activism. The former "Growing Pains" star is now calling Christians everywhere to grow up. Speak for Christ. Defend Christ. The whole world has become a platform for the Christian vision.

This journey seeks to offer some answers to the broad questions of good and evil. Instead of entering into the philosophical arena, Kirk enters into the narrative of redemptive history. The drama of life is being enacted in this great stage. "Unstoppable" presents a narrative theology that is often unheard of in the evangelical pulpit. This narrative is both compelling and rich. It is a story that starts in the beginning.

Narratival Theology

Through very rich imagery, Cameron takes us through the formation of man. Man is created with authority and that is most clearly seen in his ability to name animals. In doing so, Adam mimics His Creator. God gives man a mission to heaven-ize earth. The heaven-ification project began in the Garden. Adam then is put to sleep and, from his side, God forms woman, who is flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone. This beautiful, poetic, creative act, now puts man and woman at the center of God's great plans for history.

Man was to have dominion over all things. And the first great test they faced came in the form of a beast. Adam should have smelt it a mile away. He should have crushed it. But the compelling drama goes from the safety of the garden into the danger of the forbidden fruit. Adam's sin plunges humanity into chaos. But in the middle of this cosmic betrayal, God does not betray His creation. He makes a promise (Gen. 3:15). Even after Adam and Eve leave the garden He continues to provide for them.

But the narrative continues in bloody fashion. Humanity experiences its first death: the death of a son, the death of a brother. God then places on Cain the first true mark of the beast.

At this point, Kirk Cameron explores the persuasiveness of this narrative. This is a narrative, he argues, that would not sell. In Genesis, the Creator of the world destroys His own creation when He sent a great deluge to drown humanity in their sin. Why would the Protagonist do this? It is here when Cameron shines in his narration. He argues that God packs the whole world in a wooden box and then re-opens the box (the ark) to a new and better world. The new world is born through tragedy. The story is persuasive because it does not hide the consequences of sin.

The Theology of Unstoppable

"Unstoppable" is a short commentary on Genesis, which is consequently a commentary on the whole Bible. The great rainbow (bow) serves as an instrument of war. God took that instrument and directed it to His only begotten Son at the cross. At the cross, Christ was brutally murdered by His own creation. But it is precisely at the cross, argues Cameron, that "Jesus flips death on its head by dying for His enemies." After death came life. Life burst from the grave. In fact, every graveyard is a garden. And one day, "each seed will burst into a new world."

It is in this resurrection theme that Cameron transforms the question of evil into a case for the God who redeems humanity and will bring humanity from the dust of the earth into a new creation. Cameron takes the death of his young friend and uses it as an example for how grieving is not the end of the story. God's purposes are unstoppable.

This is not your typical Bible storytelling. Cameron weaved into his narrative a robust view of creation. Creation is not something to be despised or rejected. Creation was not left behind by its God. Creation is being redeemed by its Maker. Redeemed humanity united to the Final Adam, Jesus Christ, is now commissioned to disciple the nations and make the glory of God known.

Evangelicals will be deeply shocked by its overwhelming optimism. Cameron does not end in lament, but in triumph. The Christian vision is not an escapist one. It is a mission grounded in resurrection joy. And because of this, evil does not have the final word. God cannot be stopped. His purposes will be accomplished in history. His glory will be known from sea to sea.

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Unstoppable

Reviewed by: Alexander Malsan CONTRIBUTOR

Why does God allow innocent people to suffer? Answer

What about the issue of suffering? Doesn’t this prove that there is no God and that we are on our own? Answer

Does God feel our pain? Answer

What about the Psalm 91 promises? (“…no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent…”) Answer

ORIGIN OF BAD —How did bad things come about? Answer

“Where is God in the midst of tragedy and suffering?”

C hristians have had to face trial and temptations for thousands of years. And the question that roams through the back of our minds are, “Why do innocent people have to suffer , if God can stop it from happening?” It’s a question that Kirk Cameron , celebrity, world renown evangelist and born-again Christian, addresses, with the help of a Christian university. Join Kirk Cameron as he takes audience members through the Bible on the origin of sin, from Adam and Eve to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the 21st century, it’s not very often Christian films and documentaries get the recognition and publicity they deserve. Most of the time (and maybe this is just me speaking), they are much better made than big budget films. Example? A few years ago, “ To Save A Life ” was a popular Christian movie, yet its release was small, followed by “ Courageous ” (also, at least where I lived, a very small release). And so I ask myself, why is it that the movies Christian families (and even some non Christian families) protest—full of violence, gore and other questionable items—receive more attention and praise than the biblical, family-friendly Christian films?

Supposedly, while trying to create this film, Mr. Cameron (during the live stream I was able to watch) mentions that attempts to promote “Unstoppable” on Facebook and YouTube were temporarily silenced by the corporations (Facebook and YouTube/Google). The debate on whether Christians are being silenced more and more each day is one worth discussing, but perhaps a different time.

When I saw that “Unstoppable” was coming to a local cinema near me, I was interested in getting tickets, but later found out that they were sold out. In all honestly, this surprised me. Perhaps this was stubborn of me, but I didn’t feel that this film would draw that big of a crowd. My disappointment was turned to joy when I found out that they were showing “Unstoppable” on another screen because of the high demand (and if you weren’t able to see it, the movie will be available for a second screening on October 3rd, 2013).

All I can say is that is was inspirational. The first 10 minutes alone from the live stream at Liberty University, containing personal testimonies from friends of Kirk who turned to Christ , were simply breath taking and a personal reminder of how important Christ needs to be in our life, that whether we like it or not, God is always there, even when tragedy strikes. It’s so easy to mourn , and there is a time for that, and shake our hands at God for what he allowed to happen (I can relate to this recently). We ask him questions such as, “Why does He allow children to die?” “Why does He allow natural disasters to destroy homes?” “Why does he let sin have its day?

And yet, therein lies our answer. We don’t understand why he allows these things to happen, and we are not supposed to, fully. The Bible even references the fact that God’s understanding and reasoning are not our understanding and reasoning—and never will be. As humans, we want to know that we are the ones with all the answers and that we are the ones in control. But this is a trick of the Devil . Our primary concern, when our faith is shaken, is to trust God and remember that He will not “abandon us nor forsake us.” We can scream, cry, and shake our fists at Him, but he’s going to wait for us no matter how long, and wants us to trust that He is in control.

Cinematically, I had no qualms with this documentary. After the live stream, Mr. Cameron sequenced us into the actual film. The film is really, and I mean, really well done for a small production company and students from Liberty University. Beautiful settings and excellent camerawork surrounded the film. The film would go from black and white picture to color in just the right way to get the viewer to understand the serious nature of sin. Kirk Cameron narrates and speaks to his audience in a simple, straightforward manner, as if I was sitting in a Bible Study for the first time.

There is very little objectionable content (and I mean little). There is some blood and a little violence seen when Cain kills Abel during the film.

Final Thoughts and Strong Recommendation

As Kirk mentions, there were people who tried to stop “Unstoppable” from coming to theaters, but they weren’t silenced. They were, well, “unstoppable” just like God’s message and His Love . This film is a sight to behold and for the first time in a while I didn’t have to walk away with the feeling of regret from content issues. I encourage parents to take their children with you to this if it comes to your area (or if it comes on DVD). This film positively promotes Christ in every way, and I want to thank Liberty University and Kirk Cameron for putting together one great documentary, and I hope he does more of this in the future. Christians have not been silenced, as was apparent in the two sold-out theaters tonight, and perhaps this will become a part of something new.

Violence: Minor / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers .

Editor’s response (3.20.2017): We have never heard of a 2 or 3. The “Unstoppable” official film site does not currently mention their existence or plans for their production, nor does the distributor’s Web site ( Provident Films ). However, Kirk Cameron has made two somewhat similar films—“ Monumental: In Search of America's National Treasure ” (2012) and “ Revive Us ” (2016—brought to select theaters by Fathom Events, and soon available on DVD), and there is also “ Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas ” (2014). You can always keep up with what Kirk is doing by visiting his Facebook page .

PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.

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Unstoppable – Movie Review

These are the questions that are heard over and over, from people of all backgrounds and faiths:

“Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?”

“If God is love and He has the power to heal, why doesn’t He do it?”

In his latest documentary, Unstoppable , Kirk Cameron asks the tough questions that have damaged and even wrecked so many people’s faith.

Sitting on his front porch, Cameron ( Growing Pains, Fire Proof ) tells the story about the passing of his young fifteen-year-old friend named Matthew, who had been battling cancer for the past ten years. Cameron found himself struggling and asking God, “Why this family? They go to church every Sunday, they love you Lord. Why didn’t you heal my friend?” The passing of this young boy was clearly what triggered the inspiration for this documentary. According to Cameron, Unstoppable is one of the most personal projects regarding his faith that he has ever done.

Kirk Cameron speaks very candidly about the nature of God. Photo Courtesy of Provident Films.

The adventure in Unstoppable is of the spiritual kind. It’s to help us better understand why we have pain and suffering in our lives, and to ultimately give us hope. We start off by looking back through the beginning of time at the book of Genesis, the Bible in general, and hearing Cameron’s own thoughts about God’s Character.

Back in Cameron’s living room in an intimate one-on-one setting, we start to discover a little of why things are the way they are. Cameron begins by taking a look at Genesis 1- 9. We see some creative and edgy clips of: the creation of man out of mud, how Eve came into the picture, the fall of man and how sin entered the world, as well as Cain and Abel in the first murder. There’s even a humorous Hollywood movie pitch meeting about Noah and The Flood.

While Cameron stays very biblically focused and maintains an incredibly strong gospel message, the movie was initially too concentrated on the sufferings of humanity and an apparently indifferent God. Most of the documentary seemed dark and I felt unsure of where Cameron was trying to take the film. However, it seemed he was building to a climax of some kind.

Scenes in the movie reenact pivotal moments in the Garden of Eden. Photo Courtesy of Provident Films.

In the last few minutes of the documentary, Cameron fills the viewer with hope as he reveals another – much more loving – view of God in each of the stories that he had shared. Showing truly how amazing, compassionate and trusting our God is.

Unstoppable reminds us that God is not immune to pain and suffering. He experienced our world: the joys, tears, suffering, pain and death. He stepped into it willing, because of His love for us. He does care for us. Seeing the young boy’s funeral and the family releasing balloons in the film reminds us that the grave is not the end, but the hope and beginnings to something better.

Overall, Unstoppable emphasizes that God is here, He is good and He loves us. We can trust Him knowing that His purposes are unstoppable, and that He has a plan for our lives. If you find comfort in this, you will be thrilled with what this movie has to say.

However, even Kirk Cameron himself says that this side of Heaven, we may never know the answer to the specific question of, “Why does God allow bad things to happen?”

Unstoppable is now available on DVD! Watch this journey with Kirk Cameron and see if you can become Unstoppable in your faith.

Watch the trailer here:

Biblical Worldview

In Unstoppable , Kirk Cameron sticks to the Bible and really focuses in on the Genesis account to explain why there is pain and suffering in our world.

Part of Cameron’s answers to his questions in this documentary can best be described by Romans 5:3-5 (HCSB) “We also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

There are some things to beware of in the documentary. At “Adam’s” creation he is covered in mud, several shots are full body… nudity implied, but nothing is ever seen. For the rest of the garden clips, “Adam” walks around the garden bare chested, and “Eve” is shown with bare shoulders and arms.

There are a few violent scenes that take place between Cain and Abel. Cain chases down and beats Abel with a stick and a large rock. Blood is seen on both boys, and then blood is seen flowing on the ground after Abel is assumed to be dead.

Due to the topics being discussed and the violence in the documentary, I would recommend this film for ages twelve and up. There may be some more mature children who can handle it, but I would highly recommend that parents watch it first.

No matter the venue, Kirk Cameron speaks very personally about his faith. Photo Courtesy of Provident Films.

Biblical Discussion

We hear the story of creation and about the entrance of sin into our world, which causes pain, suffering and death. As Kirk Cameron said in the film, if there was ever a time that God could have given up on humanity it was at the very beginning. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, Cain murdered Able, and when the whole Earth was so wicked that he could have wiped every single living creature out. But he didn’t.

God loved us so much that He sent His perfect, sinless, son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. God took a tragic event and turned it into the best thing to ever happen to mankind, salvation for our sins. Christ loved us so much that He even died for the people who rejected him and considered Him an enemy.

If God can do that with such a horrible event, what amazing transformations can he perform in us in difficult times?

In the middle of hard and even tragic experiences, we can’t always understand why we are going through them, and we may never know the reason. It’s important to remember that God has a plan for your life, and He’ll never leave you and never let go of you!

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2(NLT)

Do you lean on God in the good times and the bad? How is God molding you? How can your past experiences be used to help others?

To learn more about this documentary, please see its page on the Christian Film Database

Want to read another Christian movie review? Check out Gimmie Shelter – Movie Review

To learn more about this film critic, visit her site  Cross Shadow Productions

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Unstoppable (2013)

Dove Review

This is a movie that families everywhere need to see! Who, after all, hasn’t been touched by tragedy or suffering? Kirk Cameron’s film is an amazing look at the origins of suffering, the Garden of Eden, and our ancestors, Adam and Eve, and the fact that we are born into sin because, after all, how can something clean be taken from something unclean? Yet Kirk shows the hope that was present from the beginning when God promised that Eve’s descendent would one day crush the serpent’s head, speaking of course of Christ, the coming Jewish Messiah and Savior of the world.

The likable Cameron shows a real sincerity as he visits a family that lost a teen son to death, a young man named Matthew Sandgren. We see the hope the family has in a future resurrection and their symbolic sending of balloons into the sky demonstrates their faith in Matthew’s soul going on to be with God. Kirk mentions that Matthew’s body was planted like a seed in the earth and that one day the seed will come forth anew, in a resurrected and glorious body.

There is a bloody scene or two in which we see Cain murder his brother Abel. But despair gives way to hope as Cameron reminds the viewer that God is a God who is for us and is always with us. He uses the rainbow as God’s symbol of forgiveness and love and the fact that God’s own son died for man. We are recommending this film for ages twelve and above but parents should consult the content listing. Many parents will be comfortable with their children under twelve seeing this wonderful film, although it is not intended for young children. This film courageously tackles the difficult topic of suffering, and does a more than commendable job. We see that God is a God that we can trust. Don’t miss “Unstoppable”!

Dove Rating Details

We see a scene in which Cain hits Abel with a stick and then a rock. There is blood on both Cain and Abel, some is seen on the ground and in the water. This scene is replayed in a flashback scene with a fair amount of blood.

H (as a place)-1

Shirtless man; woman's bare shoulder seen.

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• DVD & Streaming

Unstoppable

• Action/Adventure , Drama

Content Caution

In Theaters

• November 12, 2010
• Denzel Washington as Frank Barnes; Chris Pine as Will Colson; Rosario Dawson as Connie Hooper; Jessy Schram as Darcy Colson

Home Release Date

• February 15, 2011

Distributor

• 20th Century Fox

Positive Elements   |   Spiritual Elements   |   Sexual & Romantic Content   |   Violent Content   |   Crude or Profane Language   |   Drug & Alcohol Content   |   Other Noteworthy Elements   | Conclusion

Movie Review

AN AUDIO SNAPSHOT REVIEW

Kirk Cameron’s Unstoppable is an hour-long documentary that tackles the difficult subject of why we experience pain and suffering. Motivated by the death of a teenage family friend, Kirk takes viewers back to the first family on the planet: Adam and Eve. From that biblical story and others, we’re reminded that the fall of man brought pain to the world. But where is God in all of it? How can Christ’s death, burial and resurrection make a difference in those deep, dark times of the soul?

Viewers will need to know that a couple of scenes are a bit gory—such as Abel’s murder in the story of Cain and Abel. But perhaps a bigger potential downside is how the issue of pain and suffering is handled. Let’s be frank here, this is a large and perplexing life question. And even Kirk admits that answers are hard to come by. For some people, just harking back to the fact that God is in control is going to be comforting. But others will be hoping for more answers than this film has to offer.

Positive Elements

Frank and Will both have their share of relationship problems—Frank is feeling the heat after forgetting a daughter’s birthday and Will was recently slapped with a restraining order by his estranged wife. But as their story unfolds, it becomes apparent that these two guys love their families dearly. Frank tells Will that it’s never too late to try to patch things up. And they both reach out via cell phone and try to express their feelings several times.

Mostly, though, the big positive here is the tiny little fact that these two train-running he-men risk life and limb trying to save the lives of thousands of people they’ve never met.

Spiritual Elements

Sexual & romantic content.

Frank’s two (adult) daughters both work at a Hooters restaurant. We see several quick shots of them and other servers dressed in the chain’s signature formfitting T-shirts and short shorts. When Frank calls his daughters at home we also catch quick glimpses of scantily clad dancers in a TV music video.

A female rail line exec wears a formfitting top. And Will’s wife gets out of bed dressed in a cleavage-baring tank top. Wearing only a pair of briefs, Will crashes on a friend’s couch.

Violent Content

Unstoppable is chockablock with high-action danger as numerous leaping and high-speed attempts are made to stop the runaway train. And as the megatonic rocket speeds down the tracks, it smashes through a number of obstacles in its path.

For example, a truck accidentally broadsides a large horse trailer onto the tracks and ranchers hurriedly get their animals out—just seconds before the runaway obliterates the trailer. The same sort of thing happens to another train’s boxcar. And an engineer is killed when his engine is rammed off the tracks and explodes in a ball of fire. Large cuffs are installed on the tracks to derail the hurtling train, but as the front locomotive rips through the derailer, chunks of metal shoot outward to lacerate and tear apart nearby police cars.

In a few up-close moments the rending becomes more personal. An attempt is made to lower an engineer to the cab of the runaway lead engine, but while still attached to a hovering helicopter, he’s flipped back to the second locomotive, smashing its windshield. (He’s rendered unconscious.) A conductor falls and has his foot smashed in the large steel connecting knuckle between trains. After extracting himself, we see his bloodied and ripped shoe.

Crude or Profane Language

One f-word and over a dozen s-words. Five to 10 uses each of “a‑‑,” “h‑‑‑” and “b‑‑ch.” God’s and Jesus’ names are misused over a dozen times. A hefty portion of those times God’s name is combined with “d‑‑n.” And obscene gesture is made.

Drug & Alcohol Content

Customers have beer and mixed drinks at a Hooters restaurant.

Other Noteworthy Elements

Railroad company executives are portrayed as being more concerned about the bottom line than they are the public’s safety.

Inspired by a true story, Unstoppable never swerves from its primary destination: thrilling audiences with the tale of an unmanned train leaving the yard under a full head of steam and rushing to deliver a ticking time bomb to a paralyzed populace. Through 100 minutes of screen time, the tension continues to ratchet ever higher as our two likeable, average-guy heroes struggle to find a way to stop a million tons of hurtling steel and explosives. It’s a straightforward white-knuckler that plays to every single one of Denzel Washington’s old-school movie star strengths.

“This movie has pace, momentum and fear … more than any movie I’ve ever done,” director Tony Scott said in a traileraddict.com interview. “It’s what I call an edge of the seat movie”

He’s not kidding. If it weren’t for the niggling little detail that just about every pulse-pounding scene is marred by profanity, this would be one of the greater action pics of the decade.

I suppose all that four-letter dialogue and the scenes at Hooters were added in hopes of communicating a sense of workman realism and/or strained anxiety. But in fact the crassness only serves to distract, like a loose and constantly squeaking wheel. And it derails any fun a family audience might have had.

After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.

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Movie Review: Unstoppable

Unstoppable is the latest CamFam Studios documentary film, written by outspoken evangelical Christian and friend of Answers in Genesis, Kirk Cameron.

Unstoppable is the latest CamFam Studios documentary film. Written by outspoken evangelical Christian and friend of Answers in Genesis, Kirk Cameron, Unstoppable was directed by Darren Doane and developed collaboratively with Liberty University.

Described by Cameron as the “most personal project I have ever made,” Unstoppable boldly addresses the issue of theodicy—or the problem of evil, as it’s more commonly known. In short, why do bad things happen to good people? Cameron says, “I want to answer that question based on what we can know from experience, and from history, and from God ’s Word.”

Cameron began working on Unstoppable after a personal friend, Matt Sandgren, died of cancer at the age of 15. The film is bracketed by the details of Sandgren’s passing, including actual footage from his funeral. Unstoppable is simply argued and conversational in format. The film is narrated by Kirk Cameron.

Overall, the film is quite good. More than once, Cameron emphasizes the authority of Scripture; that it is the ultimate source of propositional truth. Cameron presents God ’s creation of Adam from the ground, the Fall, and the global Flood as actual, historical events, and he clearly communicates the gospel . In parts, Cameron stresses both the pure justice and the pure grace of God .

Naturally, there are many different ways of approaching the topics of pain, suffering, and death. In Unstoppable , Cameron avoided heavy, philosophical terms, and instead took a basic, literary approach. “Well, the best way I know how to get a grip on what God is doing is looking into the book that He wrote,” says Cameron, as he picks up a Bible , “and understanding that there is an Author who is writing the greatest story in the world. The great drama of life is being enacted right now on the stage of this world and you and I are characters playing roles in this.”

At Answers in Genesis, we often discourage using the word “story” to describe historical events recorded in Scripture. We do this because people sometimes tend to view “ Bible stories” as moralistic, fictional tales divorced from actual history. Cameron, on the other hand, essentially argues the same thing, but from a different angle. Rather than using “stories” in contrast to real-life historical events, he argues that history is itself a story; that there is a continuous plot running from Adam through us, all the way to the last day. So, for example, there is perfect historical continuity between God ’s story for Noah and God ’s story for your life—your subplot is simply established at a different point in the grand narrative.

Unstoppable does contain some interpretive conjecture. Although Answers in Genesis might lean a different direction than Cameron on some points or refrain from taking a stand on an issue, 1 his arguments are well reasoned and rooted in the biblical text. Cameron’s dialog seems a bit off-the-cuff at times, and he does not always present the details of the biblical narrative in chronological order. This may be slightly confusing for viewers who are unfamiliar with the text. The movie also includes some odd production choices—the serpent in the garden, for instance, appears as a man with scorched and peeling skin—but on the whole, director Darren Doane is a solid visual communicator, applying the qualities of beauty and grit with a discerning eye.

Unstoppable ends on a high note, emphasizing Jesus’s victory over sin and death. Cameron refers to the Great Commission ( Matthew 28:18–20 ) as our “mission of heavenizing the earth”—a term he used earlier in the film, referring to the cultural mandate ( Genesis 1:26–28 ). Cameron states that Christ has established the pattern for overcoming our enemies—not by killing them, but by laying down our lives as sacrifices for them. In this final portion of the film, there seems to be a lot of historical optimism. It may strike some viewers as leaning postmillennial. 2 It is worth noting, however, that Cameron avoids making any truly definitive statements on eschatology. In wrapping up the movie, he asserts that “ God is good, we can trust Him, and His purposes are unstoppable.”

Appropriateness

Concerning potentially objectionable content in the film, violence is present in the form of Cain killing Abel—though the act is presented in the right context: decidedly wicked and unworthy of imitation. There is also a very quick flash of Adam’s rib being removed, which may startle some viewers.

Likewise, with the creation of Adam and Eve , they are clearly nude, though mostly by implication: nothing explicit is seen, as the shots were carefully staged. (We find out later in one of the behind-the-scenes special features that the actors—a real-life married couple—were partially clothed; and it is apparent even in the film that “Eve” was wearing a dress in one shot.)

The film contains no profanity, though one song does contain some strong lyrics.

Unstoppable is not rated by the MPAA. We suspect that if it were, it would likely receive a heavy PG or a mild PG-13 rating, mostly for violence and the gravity of the subject material. All things considered, we believe the film is appropriate for many older children and adults. Ultimately, it is your call whether Unstoppable is appropriate for you and your family.

Recommendation

Considering the film’s pacing, themes, and content, we recommend Unstoppable for discerning teens and adults.

Related articles

• Was Satan the Actual Serpent in the Garden?
• Was Adam With Eve When She Spoke to the Serpent?
• There are many theological topics (e.g. Covenant theology vs. dispensationalism, eschatology, and Calvinism vs. Arminianism) that fall outside the scope of Answers in Genesis’s ministry. For more information, click here to find out where we draw the line.
• Postmillennialism is a historic orthodox eschatology; one that enjoyed a high degree of popularity in the church for many centuries, now seeing a revival. Adherents teach that the earth will gradually be overwhelmed by the Kingdom of God through the preaching of the Word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men in a period prior to the last day of history; a day that will include the resurrection of dead—first of the just and then of the unjust—the second advent of Christ, and the final judgment. Since postmillennialism is an eschatological perspective argued from Scripture rather than externally imposed upon it, it is a topic that falls outside the scope of Answers in Genesis.

Recommended Resources

• Creation Vacations
• Curricula Resources
• Online Courses
• Church Curriculum
• Public School
• Spurgeon Sermons
• Study Guides
• Vacation Bible School
• Train Up a Child

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Parents' guide to, unstoppable (2013).

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 2 Reviews
• Kids Say 0 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Faith-based docu is mainly a sermon on suffering, pain.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Unstoppable is more of a sermon than a documentary. For a little more than an hour, Kirk Cameron (a popular young teen of Growing Pains fame in the '80s) tries to answer the eternal religious mystery: Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? He speaks…

Why Age 13+?

A lengthy promo for Liberty University, a Christian college, precedes the movie.

Several scenes depict Cain's slaying of his brother Abel. Though an effort i

A lengthy sequence shows Adam and Eve at the moment of their creation, and their

Any Positive Content?

Faith-based, message-driven film attempts to answer the question, "Why do b

Kirk Cameron as the narrator is sincere and earnest in his faith and passionatel

Parents need to know that Unstoppable is more of a sermon than a documentary. For a little more than an hour, Kirk Cameron (a popular young teen of Growing Pains fame in the '80s) tries to answer the eternal religious mystery: Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? He speaks directly to the audience throughout, illustrating some of his heartfelt Christian beliefs with a number of visual scenes and sequences taken from the Bible, as well as current-day events (an "imagined" business meeting and an actual funeral). The depiction of Bible stories, as they are seen here (some sensual, some brutal), may be disturbing or frightening to kids; the Cain and Abel portion, specifically, is accompanied by some violent and bloody images. Primarily of appeal to teens and adults who already have a strong religious mindset.

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Products & Purchases

Violence & scariness.

Several scenes depict Cain's slaying of his brother Abel. Though an effort is made to bring film artistry to the event, it's clear that Cain uses both a club and a rock to brutally kill his brother. Blood flows in several shots as the narrator attempts to explain God's purpose by allowing this act of violence.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A lengthy sequence shows Adam and Eve at the moment of their creation, and their discovery of a mutual sexual purpose in the Garden of Eden is suggested with bare shoulders, caresses, and lingering appraisal of one another.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Faith-based, message-driven film attempts to answer the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" The Bible is used as literal source material for Kirk Cameron's belief in an all-powerful God who uses pain and suffering to create unshakeable faith and confidence in His goodness and purpose.

Positive Role Models

Kirk Cameron as the narrator is sincere and earnest in his faith and passionately promotes Christian values as they're defined in the Bible and as he interprets them. The role of women is dubious as represented by Eve (shown as she emerges by God's hand from Adam's rib) and one woman in a male-oriented business meeting; the woman has no lines and takes notes throughout. No ethnic diversity.

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (2)

Based on 2 parent reviews

BIAS- Fictional account based Documentary

Unstoppable is unbelievable...horrible...a must see, what's the story.

Using a teenager's death from cancer as UNSTOPPABLE's point of departure, Kirk Cameron earnestly tries to explain God's purpose in allowing "bad things to happen to good people." By tracing the biblical history of man as Adam takes his first breath rising from the mud of the earth and moving forward to the climactic resurrection of Jesus, Cameron hopes to impart his personal understanding of God's message, God's protection, and the need for the viewers to retain unshakeable faith in the face of adversity. Cameron addresses the audience directly for most of the film. It's an earnest, passionate plea. He further illustrates his viewpoints with some strong images set in Adam and Eve's Garden of Eden and at the scene of Abel's death at the hand of his brother, Cain. In a very long section of the film, Cameron intercuts his directive with sad, silent scenes from the teenager's funeral.

Is It Any Good?

As a film, Unstoppable has little to recommend it. This film is entirely based upon Kirk Cameron's fervent viewpoint; Cameron accepts the Bible as a literal document and expounds upon its teachings to include his own evangelical interpretations of both God's message and His motives. Most likely, its relevance to audiences will depend upon already-existing attitudes and beliefs. Cameron's passion and charisma can't offset the less-than-artful Garden of Eden sequences, the brutal and poorly executed killing of Cain, the clumsy editing throughout, and one particularly inept scene set in an "imagined" business meeting. It's all well intended but amateurish and assembled without subtlety or grace.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can discuss the differences between "documentary" films that present actual events without a bias and those which are designed to convince or "sell" a specific attitude or belief. What resources are available to audiences that would help them determine the filmmaker's purpose?

How does the presence of a well-known person or popular celebrity affect your willingness to accept the messages in a documentary film?

How did you feel as you were watching Matthew Sandgren's funeral? Why did Kirk Cameron want you to be a part of someone's very private moments?

Movie Details

• In theaters : September 24, 2013
• On DVD or streaming : January 28, 2014
• Cast : Kirk Cameron
• Director : Darren Doane
• Studio : Provident Films
• Genre : Documentary
• Topics : Book Characters
• Run time : 65 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : November 20, 2022

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