MOVIE
PHOTO: COURTESY OF OCEAN AVENUE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
REVIEW
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Title:
23 BLAST
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
Rating:
Starring:
Mark Hapka, Bram
Hoover, Stephen Lang,
Alexa PenaVega, Max
Adler
Written by:
Bram Hoover, Toni Hoover
Directed by:
Dylan Baker
Genre:
Sport, Drama
Running Time:
98 minutes
MPAA Rating:
PG-13
Production Company:
Touchdown Productions
LLC, Toy Gun Films
Released by:
Ocean Avenue Ent.
eviewed by:
Leah St John
Release Date:
Jan 20, 2015 : DVD & VOD
B
ased on a true story, 23 Blast is a
sport-drama about high school
football player Travis Freeman, a
smart outgoing young man who is
considered the best player on the team.
But after suddenly and permanently losing
his sight, Travis withdraws from his team,
his friends, and his life in general. But
eventually, Travis realizes that he must
learn to overcome his disability if he is to
live again.
23 Blast is an inspirational movie about a
young man overcoming almost
insurmountable odds. Throughout value is
placed on family, friendship, and faith.
Equipped with an engaging story, 23 Blast
has emotional drama, humor, a little bit of
romance, and of course, sports action in
the form of football - there is literally
something for everyone.
There are a lot of notable actors who
appear in 23 Blast. It’s nice to see yet
another Christian faith-based movie
attracting the attention of a number of well
known names in the film-industry. Acting
veteran Stephen Lang (Avatar) fits the bill
as the stern yet encouraging Coach Farris.
Mark Hapka was very well cast in the role of
Travis Freeman, likewise with Bram Hoover
who played Freeman’s troubled best friend
Jerry Baker. They both played their
struggling characters well, and succeeded
in portraying a very believable friendship
on-screen. Also worth noting is that the
real Travis Freeman has a cameo in the
movie.
23 Blast represents a number of firsts, as it
is the directorial debut from long-time
actor Dylan Baker, as well as the first
screenplay to be penned by Bram Hoover,
both of whom starred in the movie - Dylan
Baker in a smaller role as Travis’ dad, Larry,
and Bram Hoover as Jerry.
Dylan Baker demonstrates with his work on
23 Blast that he is a skilled director. As far
as production goes, it is great on all fronts.
Also worth noting is that the screenplay is
very well written, and the soundtrack is
excellent.
23 Blast is a inspirational underdog sports
drama with high production values and
great acting all around. In a day and age
where sports movies are so common, 23
Blast proves itself a winner.
CHRISTIAN REVIEW > 31