Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 25, 2017

"Predictable" may as well be Gavin Stone's middle name, but the movie that also bears his name isn't any worse off for it. A faith-based film from WWE Studios that's as moving as it is funny, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone tells the story of a man who finds salvation when he's practically dropped into the Biblical New Testament story of salvation at a local church. The film not be drastically creative in terms of its basic narrative ebbs and flows, but it is rather crafty in how it uses subtle imagery to reinforce its spiritual underpinnings while still advancing basic plot mechanics, particularly as it relates to Gavin's relationship with his father. The picture should prove popular with Christians -- it's clean and approachable -- but many outside of the religion may find it trite. Yet as trite as it might be, there's no mistaking its simple charms, heart, and good will, all without really preaching to the choir.

Gavin Stone (Brett Dalton) was once a popular child star on television. But with fame and age came an irresponsible lifestyle. When his mother died, he parted ways with his father and took up life of boozing and became a staple on the party scene, transforming into the classic washed-out star who has just hit rock-bottom. His latest antics have landed him in trouble, and he's lucky to receive a relatively "easy" sentence of 200 community service hours at a local church in his hometown. His father agrees to allow him to move back in while he serves his time. Gavin takes up janitorial duties at the church under the direction of Pastor Allen Richardson (D. B. Sweeney) but he finds himself drawn to the church's stage where auditions for a major play are taking place. Gavin, eager to put down the mop and pick up his acting career, auditions for the part of Jesus and wows the church with his performance. But Director Kelly Richardson (Anjelah Johnson), who is also the pastor's daughter, doesn't know if he's worth the distraction. Her father talks her into casting Gavin, who quickly takes to the part, and takes a liking to Anjelah. Will he find redemption in the church, or will he simply serve out his time and make a triumphant return to the life he left behind in Hollywood?

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone is one of those rare films -- though not quite so rare in the faith-based arena -- where purpose overpowers predictability. With the basic plot set in motion, there's absolutely no room for surprise, and anyone who has seen a dozen movies can call the plot a mile away: Gavin will find himself drawn to the church and the people and find a twinkle of a purpose for his life the more he's exposed to the goodhearted folks and Jesus' story. He'll turn a page, metaphorically, in his life, until his old life comes calling at the last minute, leaving him with a decision to return to the old ways or realize what it is he's come to gain in his new life at the church and in the lead of its stage production. But the film overcomes with a tenderness, sincerity, and good purpose. The characters are well built and portrayed -- Gavin in particular, unsurprisingly -- and there's a believability as he wrestles with not just his conscience, but his very spirit and soulful essence along the way. The movie supports its story with some laughs that might find more agreement with those more familiar with the way church works, but the film is light on its feet as it tells a story that may not be (divinely) inspired but that does inspire its viewers to reach a little higher in their search for true purpose in the world.

Even as the plot flows with great predictability, its characters are nevertheless well drawn and strongly performed. There's a nice dichotomy between the film's father-daughter tandem, the pastor and his daughter who is directing the church's play. He sees Gavin as an asset, a potential for outreach, and the church's acceptance of him entirely within its purview and religious dogma. She sees him as flighty, untrustworthy, a hindrance rather than a help in spite of his strong audition. Then there's Gavin, a man whose rowdy past is but a hint, a necessary void in the film to keep things clean and on the up-and-up. The film only refers to his party-hard antics and lifestyle. And that's part of what makes his believable transformation all the more remarkable, that the audience never really sees or hears Gavin in his element, binge drinking, swearing, and more than likely doing other things that would be off-putting to a family audience but that are necessary character traits to drive the tale. Gavin is clean-cut from the outset, but Brett Dalton pulls it off very well. It's obvious from the beginning that he's in need of something, and it's even more obvious that he's not about to let go of it so quickly. And even without knowing the character's past all that well beyond a few blurbs, Dalton does a remarkable job of molding the character into a likable guy who shows some depth where it barely exists, evolves gracefully, struggles in the right places, and works hard to find himself, and his place in the world, by the end.

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone was digitally photographed and the resultant 1080p transfer is flat and smooth, but solid enough considering the source. The image is squeaky-clean, and even source noise isn't much of an intrusion. Detailing is fine. Gavin's ever-present facial stubble, for example, enjoys as much of a tangible texturing as possible under the silky digital sheen. Clothes are sharp, environments (mostly throughout the church's interiors) are clean, and basic skin textures are clearly visible. Colors are stable, fairly neutral but never wanting for much more vibrance. Black levels, on the other hand, frequently push rather pale, almost never holding true black. Skin tones appear accurate to several different complexions seen throughout the movie. No compression-related issues are apparent. It's not the prettiest image in the world by its digital nature, but given the source there's not much room to complain; everything seems to be in good technical order.

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack offers a good general listen. The movie's sonic demands are largely undemanding. A few beat-heavy pop songs push the hardest, offering a healthy low end and plenty of spacing width and depth. Music of all varieties presents with commendable stage saturation, never timid about making use of every speaker in the arsenal. A bit of applause following Gavin's audition proves nicely diffuse and defined, and some crowd din prior to the performance at the end is adequately immersive. Dialogue dives the majority of the film, and it's almost always well prioritized and positioned. The opening moments struggle with chunky, tinny echoing in a confined space, but such effects clear up and offer improved reverberation only minutes later when Gavin shares his "testimony" in the church.

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone contains interviews, deleted scenes, and a fun featurette. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.

• Deleted Scenes (1080p): Kelly and Charlotte (0:45) and Church Board Meeting (1:50).
• Church Uniform Advice (1080p, 1:25): Gavin Stone shows off his church attire.
• Cast Interviews with James MacDonald (1080i): Pastor James MacDonald and his son Landon chat with the cast about the film's themes. Included are Welcome Without Judgment (11:57) with Anjelah Johnson and Shawn Michaels, Love Without Condition (8:50) with Brett Dalton and Tara Rios, and Forgive Without Limit (12:29) again with Brett Dalton and Tara Rios.

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone is as predictable as they come, but it plays with a big heart and a few very good performances, particularly from Brett Dalton as the troubled actor who overcomes his past and finds his future in the present. Without much serious depth and a backstory that's but a blurb or two, he builds a character who is instantly likable but believably troubled and uncertain of where to go. The destination is never a surprise, even as it's the most important piece of the story, but the journey is satisfying thanks to a breezy script and solid acting. Universal's Blu-ray offers a few quality extras paired with solid video and audio. Highly recommended.