castle23-189-26613 I don't mind that this movie is similar to other "it's a wonderful life" stories. Sometimes we need a reminder of the same lesson with a different person telling the same story. It may be a bit predictable but is good to watch with the family. I would watch it with older children over 10, to get the message. Some Christian movies may not win academy awards but it is much the same reason why we still go watch a play. A play will never win for props but you go to enjoy the story. Its nice to see Cliff and Hercules acting in Christian movies. It's interesting to see how many people "hate" Christian movie messages. I am happy to see that Netflix carries these movies as they are difficult to find at the local video store which does carry new release Christian movies but not some of the older ones.

aesgaard41 I like everyone else recall Kevin Sorbo more for "Hercules The Legendary Journeys" than anything else. Even two of his major motion pictures, "Kull" and "Meet The Spartans" were cousins and/or extensions of that role so to see him playing someone more mortal is a dramatic leap. In "What If?," Kevin plays the same character as Nicolas Cage in "Family Man," a successful businessman who discovers the alternate life he might have had if he had made another choice; in this instance if he had followed his religious training and become a preacher. Kristy Swanson plays the girlfriend he left behind and the wife he could have had. Disney actress Debby Ryan plays their teenage daughter with an attitude, and John Ratzenberger, the voice behind all those Pixar films, is the wise angel that takes Kevin on his alternate reality trip. One of the fun parts is that Kevin references "It's A Wonderful Life" when he goes fighting against his role as a husband in the married universe. The plot is very predictable, but the religious undertone is not as strong as you would thing. Although its called a comedy, the humor is subtle; the film is actually more fantasy than a straight comedy, but it is very enjoyable and likable. I'm sure a lot of people will appreciate the religious connotations in this film, but as a family fantasy, adults may get it more than kids.

in-d-lover Perhaps the fastest growing classification of movies, faith-based films have a tendency to sacrifice production value for message. While movies like Facing the Giants and Fireproof have solid messages, they lack in the aesthetic polish audiences get from most Hollywood releases. With "What If...", Dallas Jenkins manages to give audiences an aesthetically beautiful film with wonderful performances on both sides of the camera. The movie feels like a mid-budget Hollywood release, a remarkable feet considering the low budget and tight shooting schedule. Kevin Sorbo has a great presence throughout, and Kristy Swanson, still beautiful as ever, shows off her dramatic chops. And John Ratzenberger's performance is angelic, in a good-old-boy way. Still, great direction and performances don't make a great movie unless the story matches. Thankfully, the story of "What If...", albeit somewhat recycled, is outstanding. Living a life of luxury and power, Ben Walker (Sorbo) is chosen by God to receive a glimpse of what his life could have been had he made a different decision 15 years earlier. The bulk of the movie is spent in Ben's alternate reality where he learns the true riches of life. "What If..." doesn't hide the fact that it's a Christian movie. Still, it doesn't hurl religion at the audience with reckless abandon. In other words, it's a movie that even non-Christians can and should enjoy. Without sex, violence, or language concerns, it's perfectly suited for all ages. Raising the bar for faith-based films, "What If..." is hopefully the start to higher standards for movies delivering messages of the Highest Standard.

sklupella I thought that this movie was a great throwback to how movies used to be. A modern day It's a Wonderful Life. It was very family friendly and contains many positive messages. For those who are looking for a thought provoking movie this one fits the bill. I saw it with my husband and teenage daughter and it gave us many meaningful conversations. The acting is top notch. We laughed and we cried often one right after the other. I haven't enjoyed an "angel" so much since Clarence. John Ratzenberger is fabulous. Taylor Groothuis who plays the younger daughter is delightful. Kevin Sorbo gives a very convincing performance as the corporate shark and as the man out of his element. As a Christian I was pleased to see an accurate depiction of faith without it seeming cheesy or fake.