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MOVIE REVIEW

Monumental: In Search of America's National Treasure

MPA Rating: PG-Rating (MPA) for some mild thematic elements.

Reviewed by: Curtis McParland
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Excellent!
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Family Teens Adults
Genre: Documentary
Length: 1 hr. 30 min.
Year of Release: 2012
USA Release: March 27, 2012 (live, one night theatrical event)
March 30, 2012 (wide—550+ U.S. theaters)
DVD: July 3, 2012
Copyright, Monumental Multimediaclick photos to ENLARGE
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Monumental Multimedia

TEN COMMANDMENTS—Does American government need the Ten Commandments anymore? Answer

BIBLE’S ROLE—What role should the Bible and Christianity play in America? Answer
It is often stated that there is a “separation of church and state,” disallowing Christianity from influencing our nation in matters of public interest. Is this type of censorship valid and beneficial to the United Sates?

What is LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE for students in America’s public schools? Answer

Is the religion of SECULAR HUMANISM being taught in public school classrooms? Answer

Does CHARACTER matter in political leaders? Answer

Are we living in a moral Stone Age? Answer

Featuring Kirk Cameron — “Fireproof
Director Duane Barnhart—“The Way of the Master” (TV series)
with Writer: Kevin Miller—“Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” (2008)
Producer Pyro Pictures
Angie Alvarez … producer
Duane Barnhart … producer
Kirk Cameron … producer
Distributor Monumental Multimedia

“Our families are worth fighting for.”

“Are we going down the wrong path?” “Are we supposed to just let it go?” Have we forgotten what made our nation so great? These questions are brought to our attention in Kirk Cameron’s documentary “Monumental,” a film that raises questions about today’s culture and how our nation, as a whole, is rolling on a decline.

I attended the live event of “Monumental” on March 27th (2012), and I could not believe the turn out… I found out that not only my local theater sold out, but numerous theaters across the country did, as well. The event mainly consisted of Kirk Cameron doing a “pre-show” and “post-show” from his home, live. He conducted a few interviews with some of his family and friends and also invited a few Christian music artists to his home to share some songs with the audience.

However, March 27th is not the only showing. Over 500 theaters across the country will be showing the full documentary (which runs around 90 minutes) starting March 30th. The documentary, itself, was pretty impressive for a low budget, independently made film. The documentary begins with Kirk giving us a history lesson on the Pilgrims. We are told how they overcame the odds to start their very own nation—America.

But that’s not all. Kirk travels to parts of Europe and parts of the east coast to gain more knowledge and insight on how these brave men and women survived and overcame numerous obstacles. From fleeing England to sailing to Plymouth, Kirk Cameron covers a lot of the Pilgrims” journeys and discovers how they made our nation so great. As Kirk travels through Europe and America, he meets with historians, so we can even receive a more in depth look on what the Pilgrims did to bring this nation from the ground up and how government originally ran the country. We are even introduced to an amazing monument that many Americans have never even seen or heard of before… including myself.

Although the film is rated PG for “some mild thematic elements,” there is really no content for concern in this film. I recommend this “Monumental” for ages 8+, mainly due to the theme and nature of the film, since most young children won’t fully understand its messages. At the most, “Hell” is used twice, in reference to a specific location and rape is mentioned once or twice, just to describe that Pilgrims didn’t come to kill or steal from the Native Americans. We also briefly see one or two Native American men in a historical flashback wearing traditional loincloth (no nudity).

Unfortunately, times have changed and government doesn’t run the same way it used to, back in the days of the Pilgrims. Instead of the government making a stronger nation, they’re making it a weaker one—step by step. That is the message I received from “Monumental”. But we mustn’t play the “blame game,” as Kirk states. And I agree, whole-heartedly. We can’t just blame the government for the state our nation is in; the people of America are responsible for this nation, too. We caused the problem, and we need to fix it; and that time is now.

We have forgotten what made our nation so great—what Christian values and traditions it was founded upon, and we must always hold onto them. God blessed us with this land, and it’s time to restore what has been lost. As Kirk Cameron says in one of his closing statements, “The answer [for change] doesn’t begin at The White House, but at your house.” That’s a powerful statement declaring that we the people of the United States need to rise and restore this nation before it’s too late.

Many need to hear the messages of “Monumental,” but few will see it. So I strongly encourage you to see this film, as soon as possible. Since the film is only in about 500-600 theaters, it may not last long… unless we can fill those theaters, so the film will run longer. Kirk Cameron had the courage to make this film, and we need to make it last long in the theaters. God bless Kirk Cameron, and may God bless America.

Violence: None / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: None

Official Web site: MonumentalMovie.com

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—My whole family went to see this movie on its opening day March 27th, what can you say except “Wow!” The movie is fantastic, and everyone in America should see it! I applaud Kirk Cameron for doing this film and standing strong for his beliefs in what this country and what are forefathers stood for!

I personally am tried of lies and just want the truth! I believe as a nation, we are seriously going the wrong way and need to stand up for the principles that this country really stands for, and fight for them! We need to exam ourselves and get in prayer and find out what God is calling each one of us personally to do. We have a country that, I believe, was given to us by God, and it truly is worth fighting for, for ourselves, as well as future generations!

If you get a chance, go see this movie!!!… You will not be disappointed!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 4
Pamela, age 55 (USA)
Positive—“Monumental” is a good documentary about the founding of this hitherto God-blessed country, starring and narrated by Kirk Cameron. I went to see this documentary with several of my family members on March 27th, and even though there was a glitch in the live feed, at the end, which cut off the res of Mr. Cameron’s message, the film itself is really good. My only criticism is that it wasn’t long enough… there is so much more material than what was presented in the documentary that is pertinent to the founding of this nation.

The PG rating is appropriate, because there are several allusions to death, which very young children (0-10 years) would not understand—the overall message would be too heavy for them. This is mainly a documentary for those 13 and over, who want to know (and appreciate) the TRUE HISTORY of how this nation came into being.

Sadly, the liberals are hell-bent on taking God out of every facet of life, and implementing their own twisted and anti-God agenda by spreading flat-out lies about the Founding Fathers, and it must be stopped. God Bless America.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4
D, age 26 (USA)
Positive—This was a compelling and thoughtful documentary. I enjoyed learning the “true history” of the Pilgrims and founders very much, although it is enough to leave one almost angry about the revisionist history we have been taught in public schools. Even my 7 year old daughter watched this with great interest, especially since we have been studying this time period in her homeschooling curriculum.

I appreciate Kirk Cameron’s desire for this story to be known, and his call for action to be taken to bring this country back to what it once was. However, some of the “filler” scenes such as the amount of time spent on the large wall map with the nails and wire seemed needlessly long… I would rather have had that time filled with more great content.

Although there is nothing objectionable in this film, there is some decidedly intense music and vivid scenes (especially in the beginning sequence which shows flaming pictures of past leaders). Although we assured our daughter that nothing bad would be shown, I saw her wincing and cringing a little due to the intensity of some of these sequences.

Overall, “Monumental” is a great piece and well made. This was a story and a call to action that has been long overdue.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 3½
S.R., age 35 (USA)
Comments from young people
Positive—A very interesting, well put together, entertaining, educational documentary! Parents, instead of taking your kids to see “The Hunger Games” this weekend, go take your family to “Monumental.” They will learn something!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Excellent! / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Koji Moto, age 17 (USA)

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