The Forge Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

The Forge Blu-ray Movie Review

"And they will not depart from it..."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown December 12, 2024

You already know if The Forge is for you. Faith-based films have a "look," from cover art to trailers to final cut of the film, and if you're in for some preaching to the choir, you're in. If not, well, a film like The Forge is a long shot, if the goal is converting the unconvinced, skeptical or quote-unquote lost. The A-plot is A-plottier than your run-of-the-mill morality tale, though I will say it's less Bible-thumping than most recent Christian films. More crucially, it sidesteps the current glut of politically charged, Trump-is-the-second-coming nationalism in favor of a more non-denominational and altogether timely take on next-generation mentorship. If that all reads like the gentle opening of a biased attack from a non-believer, plot twist: surprise! Believer here. However, I've long grown weary of films in the vein of The War Room and Courageous, and their painfully poor grasp on culture, the left, members of the LGBTQ community, et al; actual people who struggle with belief or shake their heads at what Christianity has predominately become in 21st century America. If such films prove encouraging or motivating to you and yours, more power to ya. Enjoy. If you find them to be a call to prayer, I hope it helps focus your heart on the needs of the less fortunate and the outcasts in your community who've been hurt by plenty of red-faced Mace-n-MGT-like "Christians." In my house, though, these films tend to play like a toddler's attempt at depicting the secular world and its residents, who, if I'm not mistaken, the Great Commission calls believers to love, gently and with kindness, and more to Jesus's point, without judgement or condemnation. (Sermon concluded.) To its credit, The Forge gets it mostly right, presenting wizened mentors who simply care about the next generation; men and women who are willing to lean on patience, empathy and life experience to solid effect. Plus, how often do we get to see an almost fully African American cast in a faith-based film that doesn't feature Madea?

Written and directed by The War Room's (very white) Alex Kendrick and produced and co-written by his brother Stephen Kendrick, The Forge tells the story of Isaiah Wright (Aspen Kennedy), a 19-year old suburban African American college dropout who lives for little more than basketball and PlayStation games. A year out of high school, he has yet to land a job (this one hit a bit too close to home), no real plans for his future, and a poor grasp on what it takes to be a responsible adult. At odds with his single mom, Cynthia (Priscilla C. Shirer), he finds himself facing an unwanted ultimatum: grow up, get a job or get the h-e-double-hockey-sticks outta my house. Fortune smiles on Isaiah, though, when he's hired by Moore Fitness, despite accidentally disrespecting its owner, Joshua Moore (Cameron Arnett), the minute he walks in the door. With the prayers of his mother, the unexpected guidance from a new mentor, and an invitation to a dinner group dubbed The Forge, Isaiah is given the choice to deal with his past, sacrifice his selfishness and discover how God might have a greater purpose for his life or end up like so many other young men who are in the world and of it. And we know Isaiah's life is being changed... because he stops wearing his hat backwards and playing Madden. Sigh.

If you wonder why I took time to point out that the Kendricks are white, it's because I initially assumed I'd be watching a film directed and produced by black filmmakers. (Wait... does that make me racist? Ugh. So confusing.) But the more I watched The Forge, the more I began to realize, nooope. The faces behind the camera are very, very white. The results are all well-intentioned and not the least bit offensive, I suppose, but Isaiah "feels" like a suburban white kid, or rather a white writer/director's idea of what a suburban black kid is like. The cast steps up and lends more and more legitimacy to the experience as it plays out, but you just know there was endless discussion on set as the actors worked to inject more authenticity where they could. The Kendricks also continue to up their writing and casting game with each successive movie -- I remember the days of Fly Wheel and Facing the Giants -- which is a plus, as The Forge unfolds with more big screen swagger than previous indies from the duo. Cinematography and music still needs some time in the wash (both are terribly generic), but one thing at a time.

But The Forge isn't a film for wandering teens or aimless young adults. It's not for the unsaved or the non-Christian either. It's a movie for the older, grizzlier men in the room (and their wives, I guess) who might be toying with the tired idea -- or are already completely convinced -- that Gen Z and the A's-slash-Alphas soon to follow it are a hopeless cause. The Kendricks mean to stir such men to action. (Similar to the call to action they made to husbands with Courageous.) The wives, mothers and grandmothers are influential in the faithscape of Isaiah's world, but it's the "heads of household," which Isaiah is missing, who are called to step up here. It's a shame, considering how profoundly both men and women could have played roles in the story. But this is definitely a center-right conservative Christian production, without an ounce of liberal or progressive faith to be found. Cheer or jeer as you will, but at least you know what you're walking into. And if you're noticing how hard I'm trying (or failing) to keep my own beliefs out of the mix, be prepared to do the same. The Forge is either representative of your specific faith and theology or it isn't. You'll know within minutes, if the trailer doesn't suffice, whether you'll be grinning and bearing your way from scene to scene or if you'll be weeping and starting a new small group by film's end. I admire the Kendricks' motivation to pair their love of film with their faith. I just find it interesting and personally disheartening that only one sliver of Christianity -- traditional evangelicalism -- seems to make it to the faith-based screen. Ah well, you could certainly do worse and more cringe-worthy than The Forge, which wears its heart and good will on its sleeve with a pure, unironic desire to inspire adults to not give up on the next generation.

The Forge Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Forge features a slick, striking 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that rarely falters. Colors are bold and vibrant, skintones are lifelike and nicely saturated, black levels are deep and satisfying, and contrast is dialed on perfectly. Detail delivers too, with crisp edge definition and plenty of fine-texture know-how. Never mind the uninspiring cinematography (which feels like a sin to write); the digital image is clean and impressive at every turn, capturing the filmmakers' every intention. I did notice the tiniest instances of exceedingly minor banding, but otherwise, I didn't catch any instances of macroblocking, errant noise or other distractions or issues.

The Forge Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Forge offers a decidedly decent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. My only complaint is that it's merely "fine." It is a chatty movie, though, without much in the way of LFE oomph or rear speaker immersiveness. Dialogue is notably clean, clear and intelligible at all times, low-end support does lend welcome weight on occasion, and the various locations -- bedrooms, warehouses, restaurants and meeting rooms -- sound unique and distinctly sized, with convincing acoustics. The warehouse scenes are the highlight of the overall soundfield, with plenty of activity from every direction, subtle as it may be. But the rest of the track doesn't disappoint or underwhelm.

The Forge Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary - Director Alex Kendrick and producer Stephen Kendrick discuss the here's and how's of the production, but it's the why's, where the duo speak to their motivations, that make for a decent listen.

• The Making of The Forge (HD, 16 minutes) - A by-the-number behind-the-scenes featurette.

• Discipleship in The Forge (HD, 6 minutes) - Biblical mentorship in the film.

• The Heart of The Forge (HD, 5 minutes) - An extended promotional trailer/EPK.

• Deleted Scenes (HD, 13 minutes) - Ten in all, the vast majority wisely cut.

• Outtakes (HD, 4 minutes) - Gag reel.

• Trailers & LifeWay Ad (HD)

The Forge Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Forge is pretty standard faith-based fare, though less preachy than most. It has a great message at its core -- don't abandon the next generation; believe in their potential -- and its writing and performances are better than most of Kendrick's low-budget films. Still, you know what you're getting with a movie like The Forge, so don't expect anything that wanders too far off course. Sony's Blu-ray delivers too, with an excellent video presentation, solid lossless audio and a good variety of supplements.