In 2015, War Room charted a path for success rarely seen in the faith-film space. Almost a decade later, The Forge continues in the same narrative universe and has the potential to mirror that 2015 success and beyond.
From the minds of the Kendrick Brothers, the force behind such films as Fireproof, Courageous, and War Room, The Forge tells the story of Isaiah Wright (Aspen Kennedy), a young man who finished high school without a set plan for his future. Stuck in the difficult but common circumstance of no longer being a child but ill-prepared for adulthood, his mother Cynthia (Priscilla Shirer) makes matters worse by handing him an ultimatum: either find a job to pay her rent or find another place to live. An absent father doesn't help the situation either.
The film hits on a relatable moment in time after high school. A great deal of children have found themselves remiss in their adult responsibilities at this stage. Education, Career advancement, and even financial planning are often an afterthought. Instead, they focus on recreational activities like Isaiah: socializing, sports, and video games. When are you going to be that young again with minimal responsibility? It's completely understandable… to a degree. Isaiah's problems mount when he drops the ball with simple tasks around the house. As much as his mom loved him, he wasn't seen as mature or reliable. He wouldn't check on her when she'd come home from work with groceries or take out the trash knowing she relied on him. People, whether they realize it or not, are never "too busy", they prioritize things differently. In Isaiah's case, he prioritized his friends over all else.
Cameron Arnett as Joshua Moore
His attitude and poor demeanor wouldn't transition well into anyone's workplace. He fell flat on his job search until he went to Moore Fitness. As unprepared and uncouth as he was, owner Joshua Moore (Cameron Arnett) was willing to take a chance on Isaiah as long as he agreed to meet for mentorship before each shift. His decision would not only alter his life but also illustrate the vital role of community.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:24-25
As a child, the first people you look to as an example are your parents. For Isaiah, all he knows from his dad is absence and disappointment. That continuous disappointment often builds up to resentment and anger. Harboring all that weight can fester in a variety of ways. But who could he talk to? His mother owned a business and that left him alone all day. Without any guidance in his life, his choices were often counterproductive and led to setbacks. With a mentor, his daily walk went from online gaming and basketball (looking inward) to gainful employment and outreach (looking outward). He was never supposed to be alone. When his mother Cynthia found herself frustrated, her community (friends, siblings, and parents) supported her with their wisdom, presence, and prayers. When Josh came into Isaiah's life, he brought that presence that had been absent for so long. Because of this new access to mentorship and community, Josh was able to begin the first step of discipleship.
Joshua Moore (Cameron Arnett) showing Isaiah Wright (Aspen Kennedy) the power of community.
One of the key elements missing from the modern-day church body is discipleship. Jesus gave specific instructions to "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations" but what does that mean? Making a disciple is getting someone to commit to Jesus Christ. Words like "Go and "Baptizing" refer to the process of discipleship with the commitment to Jesus being the end product. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." That verse from John tells us that not just some people, but everyone will identify disciples of Jesus by loving one another. The word "loving" is in verb form, which implies action. In short, if our actions are rooted in love and follow Jesus' teachings people will know we follow him. So many people "attend" church but how many actively love one another? And how many do so outside of their church?
Cameron Arnett is exceptional as Joshua Moore. He not only sets the tone for how a man should conduct himself but also how a man should be rooted in The Word and be a beacon of light for those around him. Arnett showed leadership in kindness, patience, and understanding—the opposite of what's taught in society and the corporate workplace. When alongside Aspen Kennedy, it often looked like a father was talking to his son, instead of a local businessman mentoring a young teen. Arnett's acting chops are in top form and his onscreen chemistry with Aspen is powerful.
Aspen Kennedy is a delight and shines as the focal character of the film, Isaiah Wright. In a genre where most fans have to suffer poor acting and dialogue for the sake of wholesome content, Kennedy breaks that belief and puts on an unbelievable performance. Fully equipped with typical teenage mannerisms, reactions, and a soundtrack that speaks to his age group (Hulvey and Lecrae for example), the writing and production set up Kennedy for the easiest acting layup of his life.
Priscilla Shirer as Cynthia Wright
The most recognizable face of the bunch, Priscilla Shirer is back as the anchor of the entire War Room universe. You'll have to watch and listen closely as there are a few easter eggs (hidden messages or imagery for fans to find) that are pretty incredible. She did an excellent job as Isaiah's mom, Cynthia Wright, and if you're familiar with the 2015 film that name might ring a bell.
The Forge gets a 9.5 out of 10. What War Room did for women, The Forge will do for men, offering a healthy picture of mentoring and discipleship. In the trailer, there's a bit of a misleading moment where it looks like Isaiah's joining a group with the sword as a welcome or initiation. Thankfully, that's not the case. Remember that sword, as it's used to teach an extremely valuable lesson in the film. With a PG rating, The Forge is a film for all to see, and wouldn't be surprised if church groups see this in droves as it's a spectacular film that just so happens to focus on faith. It's a bit longer than most faith-based films at two hours and three minutes, but an engaging film with an awesome soundtrack will pass the time quickly.
The Forge hits theaters this Friday, August 23.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of AFFIRM Films
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