Actor Dylan Baker's debut directorial effort is an uplifting true story about Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka), a talented high school football player whose life is abruptly changed when an ocular infection literally leaves him sightless. A film with an inspiring Christian subtext, 23 Blast briefly features the real Freeman as the preacher he always wanted to become, but the script thankfully doesn't pound home the religious message with a sledgehammer, instead adopting the earnestness of a cable-telefilm, with all the virtues and flaws that suggests—i.e., it is well-meaning and high-minded but also predictable. Baker, who also plays Travis's father, coaxes good performances from Hapka as his straight-arrow son and Bram Hoover as the reckless quarterback who is Travis's best friend. Meanwhile, Becky Ann Baker, Dylan's wife, brings infectious energy to her role as a social worker who forces Travis to shake off his self-pity and go back to school. And Stephen Lang is genially gruff as the coach who puts the blind boy back on the field as a center. 23 Blast actually plays fairly fast and loose with the facts, but this is an often engaging inspirational sports movie, overall. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include the production featurettes “The Travis Freeman Story” (10 min.) and “What Ever Happened to Jerry Baker?” (6 min.), a behind-the-scenes segment (5 min.), bloopers (3 min.), brief “Cinematography of a Football Scene” and “Multiple Cameras Look at a Football Scene” clips, and an online discussion guide. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven but often winning faith-based film.] (F. Swietek)
23 Blast
Capitol Christian, 98 min., PG-13, DVD: $19.98 Volume 30, Issue 2
23 Blast
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