🎬✨ Movie Review – I Can Only Imagine 2: How This Faith-Based Movie, it's Music, and Message Spoke to My Heart

Hello movie friends! I'm excited to share with you all a new movie review!

Lionsgate recently provided me an early screener for I Can Only Imagine 2, and I must say, I was honored and absolutely delighted. However, to be honest, I couldn’t *imagine* that this sequel could move me in the same way as the original film.

I Can Only Imagine (the first movie) is so powerful and spiritually moving. Could this sequel make me feel the same? Oh my, yes! A resounding YES! It most certainly did!

As the credits rolled at the end of I Can Only Imagine 2 and I wiped tears of joy from my eyes, these words flooded my mind…

Wow! Phenomenal. Amazing! Raw. 

Powerful! Anointed. Outstanding!

But I’m getting ahead of myself a little. Let me start back at the beginning…

This incredible sequel, I Can Only Imagine 2, begins as the success of the song “I Can Only Imagine” begins to soar. We see the Christian music band MercyMe on the road, performing that life-changing song for countless fans, yet as time passes and years roll by, the pressure builds. They have a longing to create something special again. The band hopes to write another song that will reach hearts in a fresh, meaningful, eternal way.

As the lead voice of MercyMe and the writer of the chart-topping song, “I Can Only Imagine”, Bart Millard carries the weight especially heavily. Not only does he feel the pressure of writing something new, but he also carries the ache of being away from home, from his wife and children, especially his teenage son, Sam, who struggles with ongoing health challenges that require constant care.

When Bart brings Sam on the road with the band, their relationship still remains strained. They clash over Sam’s health, and that tension stirs up old memories for Bart, memories of his own difficult childhood and teen years, with his abusive relationship with his own father. There are a few flashbacks to those hard days, reminding us of how deeply our past can still influence our present.

As Bart and his son, Sam, struggle to connect, Sam forms a meaningful connection with the band’s opening act, musician Tim Timmons. Tim becomes a gentle mentor, treating Sam with compassion and understanding.

Milo Ventimiglia (This is Us) portrays Tim with warmth and sincerity, and Arielle Kebbel (Bridal Wave, A Brush with Love), plays his loving devoted wife.

The entire cast is truly exceptional. John Michael Finley (Faith of Angels) once again steps into the role of Bart Millard with such depth; it is remarkable the way he portrays his testimony.

Sophie Skelton (Outlander) takes on the role in this sequel as Bart’s supportive wife, Shannon.

Sammy Dell (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), who plays Bart and Shannon’s teenage son, Sam, is absolutely remarkable- honest and heartfelt.

Country singer Trace Adkins returns as Scott Brickell, the steady and faithful manager of the group, bringing a grounded presence to the chaos of the road.

And Dennis Quaid (The Rookie, Soul Surfer, On a Wing & a Prayer), reprises his role as Arthur Millard in new flashback scenes that are touching and redemptive.

The main theme of the movie revolves around reconciliation and redemption- it’s about connecting fathers and sons, mending broken pasts with hopeful futures, and ultimately focuses on our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It is an amazing story of second chances and wounds that only God can truly heal.

I sincerely hope this movie blesses you in the same way it has blessed me. I laughed. I cried. Each scene drew me in... in such a personal, meaningful way, drawing my heart closer to our creator.

If you know MercyMe’s hit song “Even If,” then you’ll likely recall how it includes a touching tribute to the beloved hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” This film honors the incredible true story behind that cherished hymn and weaves in a message of healing and hope.

*Even if* God doesn’t fix everything the way we hope or make life perfectly smooth, it’s a beautiful reminder that we can still trust Him, and we will still praise His holy name. Our hope, our peace, our everything… is always in God!

I hope many of you will be able to see this powerful, spiritually uplifting movie when it arrives in theaters.

I Can Only Imagine 2 is rated PG; however, due to the subject of illness and physical abuse, I feel the movie is probably best suited for mature preteens and up.

See this film in theaters nationwide beginning Friday, February 20th. I've included a link for tickets and the official trailer for I Can Only Imagine 2 below.

Blessings to you all,

Net

Ticket information here:
https://tickets.icanonlyimagine.com/

Trailer:




*images courtesy: Lionsgate / From Kingdom Story Company