Money or Mission

Before I saw this movie, I didn't expect very much, but my friend said it was good, so I went ahead and saw it anyway, and guess what? It was great! My only complaint is that it was too short! I wish I could have had 2 more hours of this. Sure, this movie may not be a movie the Academy will give an Oscar to, but I enjoyed the heck out of this film! And Greg Ilk is so cute! He really needs to put a picture on this site- that way everyone can see what I saw in this movie! I would like to see him in a big blockbuster very soon (and I expect him to, as well)! I felt like this movie had a very balanced cast, and a great storyline that really kept your interest. I really expect many of the people in this cast to go places- especially Greg Ilk. I am pretty sure that soon, that name will be heard in tabloids, newspapers, and entertainment shows everywhere- especially if he puts a picture on this site so casting agents can see what a great choice he is.

A great film with a great message.

Nick really shines. It's funny. Some people have charisma on screen and some people don't, but this kid has it in spades. Great performances by the other actors as well. Charan Prabakhar did a great job of looking good on the cover of the DVD. I thought by far the best performance was given by none other than the director himself who has a great cameo as an irate....grocery guy? What I love most about this film is that it's based on a true story which makes it even more meaningful than it would be otherwise. I attended the premiere and had a chance to meet the people that these characters were based on. What a great story they have to tell there kids! And now they don't even have to tell them, they can just show them the movie =)

While I feel the message of this film is laudable, the execution isn't great. It's full of mediocre acting, bad story and character development, bad writing, and is completely predictable. A movie promoting good church values doesn't have to be this bad. Simply said, this movie doesn't offer anything interesting or new. It's the stereotypical story of a young man struggling with the decision of whether to serve a mission or not and offers its audience no surprises or insights we haven't already seen dozens of times in other "feel-good" LDS movies. Like I said, I think the message is important, but the movie comes off as bland and, quite honestly, a bit preachy. I think there are more artistic and compelling ways to tell the same story or deliver the same message.