AnnaSophia Robb in Soul Surfer
SOUL SURFER SPLASHES INTO THEATERS
Many of you have heard the true story of Bethany Hamilton. She was a teen surfer from Hawaii who had her arm bitten off in a shark attack in 2003. Against all odds, she returned to the water to surf again. And now you can see the movie chronicling her experience, Soul Surfer (rated PG) in theaters.
It stars AnnaSophia Robb (from Race to Witch Mountain, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Bridge to Terabithia) as Bethany Hamilton. AnnaSophia worked with Bethany and became friends with her doing the movie, and you can tell on screen. I recently saw the movie at a media screening, and thought it was amazing. But warning: it's a tear jerker. I had to hold back tears several times, and judging from the sound of sniffles in the theater, so did my fellow movie reviewers (and these were adults by the way!).
Basically, the movie starts with Bethany as a kid, surfing in Hawaii. Born to famous surfing parents, she won her first surfing competition at age 8. She surfed with her best friend Alana, and they got sponsored by major surfing companies. On Halloween morning 2003, while they were surfing, a 14-foot tiger shark bit off her left arm. I swear I jumped a foot in my seat during this scene! I wasn't expecting it at that point.
After undergoing many surgeries, and refusing a prosthetic arm, Bethany returned to surfing. Her whole struggle was gut wrenching. Her faith in God helped her a lot. In the movie, her youth group leader (played by Carrie Underwood) took her to Thailand to help the victims of a tsunami. This opened her eyes to others' suffering, and eventually led her to leadership roles helping others. Not to mention, she also went on to win a 2007 National Surfing Championship, and turned pro!
On my way out of the movie, I was chatting with a New York City newspaper reporter, who was also reviewing the movie. She said she thought the acting was a bit melodramatic and overdone. I was like, "But the girl just got her arm bitten off by a shark!" Honestly, I forgave the drama in the movie. I thought it was really an amazing story, and the movie did it justice. I had known about the story from the news, but the movie really put a cool spin on it. It was very uplifting.
What do you guys think? Have you seen Soul Surfer or read the book? Drop a line in the Comments!
—Ratha, Stacks Writer
so, it looks good but kinda creepy. the girl is inspiring but im not really a surfing person. anyways, it's probably still good.
Comment #26 | Posted by: samantha on April 16, 2011 at 02:50 PM
i loved soul surfer! i love how stong and powerful you were. the real girls story was sad i almost cried! yor are a such a good actor!
Comment #27 | Posted by: jaelyn on April 16, 2011 at 03:09 PM
cool but i didn't see it
Comment #28 | Posted by: jabecapital3 on April 16, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Thats so sad i feel very sorry for her i mean WOWIE just thinking about getting ur arm getting bitten off in a shark attack makes u wanna cry imagine it being a family member huh just wonder how her parents felt ...............awww
Comment #29 | Posted by: jess on April 16, 2011 at 03:37 PM
THE MOVIE ROCKS!!!
Such a great story
If you have not seen it, you should, it truly is awesome :)
Comment #30 | Posted by: mcg17 on April 16, 2011 at 04:21 PM
I can't wait to c the movie. her story is inspirational 2 us all!! :)
Comment #31 | Posted by: sweetsundae30 on April 16, 2011 at 04:22 PM
Ive seen the movie, Soul Surfer and im being honest: It is an exellent movie, it is also sad and scary but very amazing at the same time. To sum the movie up with one word i would say emotional. :D
Comment #32 | Posted by: SnailSport on April 16, 2011 at 04:27 PM
That movie looks really good! Don't you think so? I hope I can see it soon. I'd love to read the book, too. I'll see if I can find the book at a library.
Comment #33 | Posted by: YellowWave6 on April 16, 2011 at 04:40 PM
i'm gonna try seeing this movie with my mom in a couple of days. i didn't really know what this movie was about till i read this. thankx a lot!
Comment #34 | Posted by: SkullGoth99 on April 16, 2011 at 06:29 PM
awesome
Comment #35 | Posted by: biebs on April 16, 2011 at 09:21 PM
cool
Comment #36 | Posted by: biebs on April 16, 2011 at 09:21 PM
I saw this movie when it first came out last week. My review of the movie is that it is AMAZING. It is really inspirational, so I say go see this movie if the opportunity comes.
Comment #37 | Posted by: silllymonkeys on April 16, 2011 at 09:47 PM
This movie shows that anyone who follows their dream and sticks to it through it all, they will achieve.So I say, believe in yourself and never lose faith
Comment #38 | Posted by: Linda on April 16, 2011 at 09:52 PM
I saw Soul Surfer. She did a great job. The movie did a good job telling the story of Bethany. I have read her biography too.
Comment #39 | Posted by: pegasusathena1 on April 17, 2011 at 08:45 AM
She sounds so brave! She surfs because it's her passion even after a shark attack!
Comment #40 | Posted by: Alysha on April 17, 2011 at 08:52 AM
I saw that movie! It was really awesome! She is my hero! It's just so amazing, the bravery out there! I love her!That is really cool! If you haven't seen it yet, you should try your hardest to see it soon!!!!:)
Comment #41 | Posted by: BrookeAnne on April 17, 2011 at 10:12 AM
i saw the movie yesterday! its amazing and very inspirational<3
Comment #42 | Posted by: Catherine on April 17, 2011 at 10:48 AM
I like the book, it was so awesome and I want to watch the movie!!! If you watched the movie and you cried a lot I promise that the book will make you do the same, it was so sad at some points. I really look up to Bethany and so does my brother, who loves surfing. I want to watch the movie BADLY!!!
Comment #43 | Posted by: lobsters4lunch on April 17, 2011 at 11:19 AM
THAT MOVIE WAS THE BEST MOVIE EVER!!!Right know i`m reading the book
Comment #44 | Posted by: gingerfan1 on April 17, 2011 at 12:26 PM
i saw it and i hav to say it wuz the best movie i hav evr seen. it wuz so tuching and it wuz inspiring to people who are shy and scared to follow their dreams...and if there is one thing i learned from this movie it wud be: IMPOSSIBLE IS IMPOSSIBLE IF U HAVE FAITH, TRUST, LOVE AND SUPPORT...
Comment #45 | Posted by: ashley on April 17, 2011 at 03:08 PM
I saw the trailer at the movies. It sounds good!
Comment #46 | Posted by: mintchocolatechip100 on April 17, 2011 at 06:27 PM
I really wanna see it!
Comment #47 | Posted by: willatreewillatree on April 17, 2011 at 07:03 PM
the movie is what everyone is talking about it seems really great I can't wait to watch it!!!!!!
Comment #48 | Posted by: greenpuppy2 on April 17, 2011 at 08:11 PM
it sounds so sad!
Comment #49 | Posted by: natalie on April 17, 2011 at 09:02 PM
I saw this movie....
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #50 | Posted by: BritGIrl1017 on April 17, 2011 at 10:06 PM