Sound of Freedom - Il canto della libertà

"Sound of Freedom" is based on the true story of Tim Ballard as he tries to rescue abducted children from sex traffickers. The movie was produced by "Angel Studios", and actually was made back in 2018 but faced a number of delays and finally saw the light of day in 2023.

It is important to be able to separate the theme of a movie, with the quality of the movie. I am 100% in agreement with the movie's message. Child slavery is an awful thing and this great evil should be stamped out. But that isn't the question, the question is: How is the movie? It is pretty good.

It is a very tightly edited, there is not a wasted minute of screen time. It is very well acted, from Cavizel to the children, there was not a performance in the film that I didn't believe. The music was also good, it set up the suspense and enhanced the action.

Don't be fooled by the marketing and genre, I wouldn't really consider this film an "action movie". It is much more a drama. They do a good job with suspense, but for the most part it is more focused on the depth of the situation. When they do action, it isn't all that well edited. But I do understand, that is not the focus of the film.

The movie also loses me as it approaches its final act. Most of the film felt grounded and real, it is based on a true story after all. But then the movie adds a bonus scene, that feels like it is from a different film. It may have happened in real life, I am just saying in the film, it felt out of place.

Overall, it is a really good film. I am glad it is doing well. I like seeing some lower budget films get a chance to shine, and I do think it has an important message to share. Let freedom ring.

I was really impressed with this film. At first thought, I didn't think I wanted to watch a movie about child trafficking. I felt like they would have made it graphic and evil. But this movie didn't do that. Instead of making you feel disgusting inside about the awfulness of child trafficking, it instead made you hopeful that something can be done about it.

The overall cinematography, storytelling, and interesting music made this film a perfect set-up for a powerful message. I only took off the one star because I think some of the acting could have been slightly improved, but the film still got it's point across: God's children are not for sale!

First half is very original, chilling and strong, but it gets formulaic and predictable like a Mission Impossible episode toward the end. Mira Sorvino who plays the wife who allegedly inspired the real life hero of this story, could not have been on the screen for more than two minutes, which was a bit disappointing. After all the raves and earned press the film received, it's hard for it not to disappoint on some levels, but one still has to be in awe of the first film to expose the horrific truth about child sex trafficking originating in Latin America. I would have liked to see much more about consumer activity on the US side of the border, given that the US allegedly represents the biggest share of customers that keep this industry going. Perhaps a follow-up film needs to be made to show that side of the story and how the open border plays into it.

This was a tough movie to watch. It wasn't graphic, but to see, to an extent, what Tim Ballard saw, really hits right in the heart. The children in the movie were phenomenal actors is helping to understand the innocence and fear that one would go through in being in that situation.

My heart went out to each one of them, yet still hurts knowing that they are just actors and there are actual children being sold everyday.

There is a great understanding of what Tim Ballard went through to save the children he did. The sacrifice. The pain, and the darkness that lies within the hearts of people that would take children and destroy their souls and lives.

I give this movie a high rating because it wasn't just a good movie, it was a wake up call to all people that there are atrocities occurring everyday towards children and it needs to stop. I appreciate everything this movie sets out to accomplish and it was so well done. It wasn't graphic, but it told the story that needed to be told the way it needed to be told.

I knew what the movie was about before going to the theater, but I was not prepared for what I saw. The true story of Tim Ballard's involvement - his sacrifice and courage - in trying to save children who had been sold into child trafficking was inspiring. His relentless determination to save those children was nothing short of heroic.

I think I had always assumed that children who ended up in this nightmare started as runaways who were preyed upon by those who stand to profit. It was eye-opening to learn just how easily, unknowingly, and innocently children can end up in this industry.

A definite "must-see" movie.