“Sound of Freedom” is a movie that places its message about child sex trafficking before its storytelling. It aims to evoke a stronger sense of concern for the horrors of this issue by presenting unsettling scenes of endangered children, manipulated by unsavory adults, and making their faces unforgettable. The protagonist, Tim Ballard, is portrayed as a weary hero, an American man who possesses an extraordinary capacity for empathy. He abandons his career at Homeland Security, just ten months short of earning a pension, to rescue children in Colombia through undercover operations. Jim Caviezel brings a gentle yet grave seriousness to this role, reminiscent of his portrayal of Jesus Christ in “The Passion of the Christ.”
The story is based on true events but struggles to come to life due to its heavy-handed approach. Director Alejandro Monteverde manages to meet the minimal expectations for message-driven movies, despite having ambitious cinematic aspirations. If “Sound of Freedom” were less focused on being “important,” it could transcend being merely atmospheric and become a truly captivating film.
As it stands, “Sound of Freedom” is a ponderous and monotonous experience that lacks a particularly bold narrative stance. Caring about the safety of children is one of the easiest causes for any decent human being to support. Previous films like “Gone Baby Gone” and “Taken” have successfully capitalized on this tension, demonstrating how easily an audience can become invested when children are stolen and placed in jeopardy. However, the truncated storytelling by co-writers Monteverde and Rod Barr fails to expand on its ideas or characters, leaving Tim Ballard’s slow and agonizing search for two specific children (Miguel, played by Lucás Ávila, and Rocío, played by Cristal Aparicio) without additional intensity. The framing of the film as a “true story” adds a limited edge before losing its impact. Visit myflixer movies for more!
Summary: The incredible true story of a former government agent turned vigilante who embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue hundreds of children from sex traffickers.
Countries: United StatesLanguages: English, Spanish
