Safety

Safety is based on an interesting true story, but it's done by filmmakers who didn't quite tell it right. This movie rambles on a little too long at times (it clocks in at over two hours) and it glosses over other plot points that could have been interesting. This Disney film plays it safe and sticks to the tried and true inspirational sports movie formula. It's a movie the whole family can watch (and eventually forget) together.

Safety is the sort of movie one would expect from Disney: a rousing, heartwarming, family-friendly story dramatized for the Big Screen (or now, for streaming). But the film is not shot with flair, the jumps in logic are obvious and distracting, and aside from the commendable character development, the film felt rather flat and thinly plotted.

"Safety" is a safe holiday film for the whole family. But beyond that, there is nothing here that remotely resembles a touch down.

Everyone said things like "it's cheesy" or stuff like that, but this movie has a feel good story and was very inspiring. In my book, a 9 is like a ten. I barely give tens but this movie was incredibly great and I recommend you watch the whole movie before you make a decision on it.

'Safety' - very good!

Disney enters the sports drama market for what feels like the billionth time, though in fairness they usually nail it - and do the same with this. They've done many better, e.g. 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' and 'Glory Road', but I very much felt entertained by this.

The cinematography is, truly, excellent - credit to Shane Hurlbut. I also took note of the editing (Terel Gibson), which is particularly neat at the beginning. The plot is compelling and features a lot of heart, it certainly uses the usual Disney/sports biopic beats but there's a lot of goodness in there as well. On this note, it has a decision scene where I half expected Chuck Norris to appear. Iykyk.

I enjoyed the cast. Jay Reeves gives a terrific performance as Ray, while Thaddeus J. Mixson is more than solid as brother Fahmarr. Corinne Foxx (daughter of Jamie), James Badge Dale and, despite only a short appearance, Amanda Warren are also good. Cool, for me anyway, to see 'The Walking Dead' alum IronE Singleton involved.

I'd recommend this, for sure.

I like movies based on real people so I was looking forward to this one. While it had potential, it never really lived up to it. Somehow it never grabbed you like other movies of this type. Look to movies like "Rudy", "Invincible", "Remember the Titans". "We Are Marshall". "Greater" and others before watching this one. Perhaps the writers and directors should have watched them too.