Soul Surfer is a perfectly fine inspirational sports movie that tells a genuinely remarkable true story. Bethany Hamilton's comeback is legitimately moving, and the film handles her trauma with appropriate sensitivity while still showing the real struggle.

The problem? It's aggressively formulaic. Every beat is telegraphed, every emotional moment is underlined three times, and the pacing feels like it's from a different era (which, fair—2011 was 14 years ago). The 45% critic score tells you what you need to know: this is competent but uninspired filmmaking that leans heavily on the inherent power of its true story.

For families looking for wholesome, faith-forward content with strong messages about perseverance, this delivers. The Christian themes are sincere and central without being preachy. But if your kids are used to the faster pacing and sharper writing of modern films, they might zone out during the slower middle section.

The shark attack is handled well—scary but not traumatizing—though definitely too intense for kids under 9 or 10. Overall, it's a solid choice for the right family at the right age, but it's not going to blow anyone away. Think of it as comfort food: nourishing, predictable, and maybe a little bland.