Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Sound of Freedom Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 21, 2023

Sound of Freedom releases through Angel Studios, the same company behind the smash hit Christian TV show The Chosen. While a Christian film, Sound of Freedom is not necessarily a family friendly affair. Moderate foul language and a very dark, distressing, and disturbing subject matter -- children kidnapped for the sex trade -- is at the center of the film. It's a difficult watch, but it's a necessary watch, shining light on unimaginable darkness not presented as entertainment but rather as a sobering perspective on the prevailing evil within the world today. Be prepared to be moved and broken as the story develops and, eventually, resolves.

Official synopsis: 'Sound of Freedom,' based on the incredible true story, shines a light on even the darkest of places. After rescuing a young boy from ruthless child traffickers, a federal agent learns the boy's sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her. With time running out, he quits his job and journeys deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his life on the line to free her from a fate worse than death.

Sound of Freedom may hold back a bit to secure its PG-13 rating and greater relevance within the faith-based community, but despite some appearances this is as much a mainstream film as it is a Christian film, balancing its faith message and its hard-hitting look into the vile practice of child sex trafficking. While there are some spiritual components and propellants in the film, Sound of Freedom never pushes to "preachy" and instead aims to reveal a sinister subject with teeth and grit that oftentimes pushes the PG-13 boundaries, not so much in terms of language or violence or any graphic sex acts but rather for the visceral nature of the subject and the inhuman and inhumane depravity seen in the film. The picture will test the audience's resolve to endure not a bad film but a terrible subject that the film explores not in a significantly graphic manner but rather in a way that exposes the grotesque nature of things as they are in the world. The film is compelling yet difficult to watch, necessary but also a film that lacks traditional "entertainment value" considering its push to position itself more as information and less as a "good time" at the movies.

The film is powerfully performed, with Caviezel delivering a sincere work that sees him legitimately grapple with the darkness through which he must maneuver. It's not a performance that seems a product of the material on the screen but rather a product of a deeply rooted desire to be someone like Tim Ballard, a man who devotes himself to good rather than sit back and allow evil to multiply. That is one of the reasons that the film is so powerful; there's a tangible sense of right and wrong at play that is manifest in the performances. Everyone knows the film's bigger purpose and they work to expose that purpose with a radical depth of emotion and sincerity that does not stop on the screen. Caviezel's work certainly stands out for its depth and realism, but the support stars, on both sides of the issue, also deliver inspired performances that build the film to dramatic excellence.

Sound of Freedom Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Angels Studios releases Sound of Freedom to the Blu-ray format with a satisfactory 1080p transfer. The image is largely unremarkable, offering good, if not basic, HD visuals as sourced from the mid-grade digital shoot. Noise is fairly prevalent, especially in lower light -- and there are a good number of lower light shots, scenes, and sequences in the film -- but for the most part the image is fine. Colors are a little amplified for effect, giving the sense of slight heat and sweat through the colorful and sticky South American locales. Colors lack absolute nuance but appear to be impactful within the filmmaker intended appearances. Blacks are a little soupy, too, adding to the visceral impact at work. White balance is decent and skin tones look fine, again within context. Detail is solid enough. The image isn't remarkable in terms of the definition found on faces and clothes and environments, but suffice it to say everything reaches a satisfactory level of intricate clarity on essentials in close- and medium-distance shots. The source is not the best, and the Blu-ray appears to do all it can under the constraints. It's a very serviceable image, but not one to exhibit for reference consideration.

Sound of Freedom Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sound of Freedom features no lossless audio option; the primary presentation here is Dolby Digital 5.1, the same found on Vidangel's Blu-ray releases for The Chosen. Despite the lack of lossless, the presentation is solid enough in its own right, offering listeners plenty of surround extension in bustling South American locales or reverb and confinement in the cargo containers into which the kidnapped children are shipped around the world. Overall clarity is good, lacking the nuance that lossless affords, but most listeners will probably not notice much difference between this and any would-be 5.1 lossless mixes. Musical clarity and fidelity are fine, offering good front stretch and modest surround support. Dialogue is clear and efficiently presented with natural front-center placement and solid prioritization.

Sound of Freedom Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Sound of Freedom includes the following Trailers (1080p): Angel Promo (2:48), Sound of Freedom (2:08), Cabrini (2:27), The Shift (2:32), The Wingfeather Saga, and Tuttle Twins (1:37). A DVD copy of the film and a digital copy code are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

Sound of Freedom Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sound of Freedom explores challenging material in a way that is gritty but accessible. It is one of the darkest faith-based films on the market, but the "faith-based" label is certainly not the defining element here: the call to attention to the depravity of child trafficking is. The film is difficult to watch but nevertheless necessary as a sobering look into the realities that pervade the world today. Angel Studios' Blu-ray delivers adequate 1080p video and lossy 5.1 audio. No meaningful extras are included. Recommended based solely on the strength, quality, and necessity of the film.