The Ultimate Gift
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Movie Reviews of The Ultimate Gift
Movie Review: Betcha didn't know...
Summary: 5 Stars
In The Ultimate Gift, Jason loses his estranged wealthy grandfather, Red. In Reds will he set up a plan that Jason has to go through a series of tasks that lead up to the ultimate gift that he will receive. Red set this up through a series of videos giving instructions of how to complete the tasks and then when Jason completes them he learns that each task helps him receive an intangible gift. Along the way Jason learns what it is like to truly live and love. Even though its a secular movie The Ultimate gift, shows two major examples of biblical principals: the first is shown by Red that they need to love their neighbors as themselves, and Jason finds that losing his life is to find it, but there are also some negative aspects of the movie.
"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:39. Red must have known this or understood this. He was a generous man, so much so that his family mocked him for it. When his family went to look for the bulk of his estate, the first place they looked was charities. Red knew that if it weren't for the help that he got then he wouldn't be where he was therefore he wanted to help others.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39. The second "gift" that Jason "receives" is the gift of friendship.What Jason doesn't know is that he then must lose everything to find out who his true friends are. Everything including his penthouse and all of his money. While Jason didn't lose his life for Christ, he still lost his life. Of course, in losing everything he found the one person who didn't care that he was broke. He fell in love with a single mother, who's daughter had cancer. The daughter became the inspiration for what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.
In this movie disrespect is a common sight. The children of the late Red, mock him when he about the good deeds he had done. They also were complaining about the multi-million inheritance that they received. The girl that had cancer, Emily, was disrespectful to everyone but the director tried to make it look cute. There was a few cuss words but nothing bad. Also Reds family held themselves to a high standard and thought that money was everything.
Despite some of the negative elements The Ultimate Gift shows two important biblical principals very well. The first by Red, that you need to love your neighbors as yourself. Then by Jason that to lose your life is to find it. Overall a very good movie that I think everyone should watch at least once in their life.
Movie Review: In the class of A Christmas Carol
Summary: 5 Stars
Do you need a little wake up call about the meaning of life? Are you looking for a movie that pulls you in and makes you stop and think yet entertains you with laughter and tears at the same time? If the answer is yes, then pick up this pleasant surprise of a movie.
The premise of The Ultimate Gift (based on Jim Stovall's book by the same title) is a snotty rich kids expects to inherit millions from his Grandfather to continue with his limitless cashflow of a life he's lived thus far. Boy is he in for a surprise. The film begins with a billionaire's death. His more than superficous, obnoxious relatives all come in for the reading of the will. Of course, no one is pleased with the reading. The main character, grandson, Jason Stevens, is no exception. The billionaire, aptly played by James Garner, has left Jason a peculiar gift. A series of gifts actually, via video tape and delivered through his longtime lawyer and friend Ted Hamilton, played by Bill Cobbs. Jason Stevens must successfully complete all requirements of each "test" to get each gift, without knowing what he gets each time he is successful and always with the threat that if he blows it, everything is lost.
Jason's world is literally turned upside down with each new gift as everything is literally taken away from him--his money, his friends, his car, his home, his dignity and even his freedom.
Not since The Christmas Carol, has a story successfully engaged its viewers in such a journey. Screenwriting newcomer Cheryl McKay does a beautiful job adapting Jim Stovall's brilliant tale. An enhancement to the already great book was McKay's expansion of the "one true friend" little girl character Emily, played by Abigail Breslin. In the film version of Ultimate Gift, Emily is a major storyline which worked well for the big screen. Certainly director Michael Sajbel deserves credit and mention for the well done adaptation as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed the casting as well, especially James Garner, Bill Cobbs and Lee Meriwether. If you've ever been spoiled, taken your life for granted, felt broke, been disenchanted about your life, been unappreciative, or just had one of those days, grab a tissue and watch The Ultimate Gift. You'll get your life back into perspective.
Movie Review: A Life Changing Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm not up on the latest movies, so when a screener of a film called The Ultimate Gift arrived in my post office box on Tuesday morning, I didn't give it much thought. I hadn't heard of the movie when it was released in theaters, but was reviewing the screener for potential review at the request of a colleague. The fact that one of my favorite young actresses, Abigail Breslin of Little Miss Sunshine fame, was involved did pique my curiosity.
Imagine my shock two hours later when I came to the stunning conclusion that this film now ranks in my top five favorite movies of all time. The Ultimate Gift is based on an inspirational novel by author Jim Stovall and tells the story of one young man's life transformation from a spoiled rotten trust fund leech into a loving philanthropist. The main character, Jason Stevens, must navigate a series of twelve tasks/gifts given to him posthumously by his paternal grandfather in order to earn a mystery inheritance. The "gifts" are designed to teach him a series of life lessons and become progressively more challenging and life wrenching. Jason comes from the most despicable breed of wealthy snobs you've ever seen and is nursing a lifelong grudge against his grandfather. He launches into the challenge with one sole goal in mind: getting the money. It's his assumption that more money will equate to happiness. Happiness appears to be one of the only commodities that's sorely missing in his life.
I won't give away the ending of this remarkable film, but I do challenge you to get to the conclusion without feeling your own heart grow three sizes and reaching for the tissue. The Ultimate Gift is a movie to be shared and discussed with family members of all ages for the wonderful life lessons it shares. Entertaining performances by a talented cast lend to the charm, but the true value of this film is in the "gift" it gives to the watcher. You will be inspired to look around your own life and to pursue your own path of gifts on a journey towards making your world a better place. For those seeking support and encouragement along your path, check out The Ultimate Gift Experience website for discussion guides and inspirational ideas for helping your own family grow closer.
Movie Review: Wow ! What a great film, touching & good for the entire family..
Summary: 5 Stars
After searching through some of the best rated/seller DVD Movies, I stumbled across this one. I decided to rent it first, since I had not heard of it before at all. What a great movie. I tell you it's just so nice to watch a film that you can even watch with the whole family. A movie where you can find things that you can personally draw from and think to yourself, "Hey I can work on that with myself.. ", or "Yes, I should be doing that."
This story involves a rich self absorbed young guy, who has pretty much never had to work and always had everything he wanted. His friends basically only liked him because of his money and he never really had any true friendships or goals or dreams. After the death of his grandfather and the process of the execution of his will, the character, Jason, has different tasks he must complete before he can receive the "gift" at the end, which he doesn't know what it is until they they have not just been "done" in a real sense, but also done to the point where Jason has really turned his life around and realized the true sense of so many things.
Abigails character and her mom come into his life and really help Jason to start thinking about others for the first time in his life. I loved Abigails previous acting roles so to find her in this movie was a clincher that I had to see it. The actors in the movie have been around for a while, but not enough to the point where they are typecast at all and the mixture was just like having a fresh new set of actors in a story.
All blended together, this is a perfectly delightful film that you will absolutely treasure. The title is The Ultimate Gift, and it really is a gift of a film. You'll be nicely surprised you can watch this film with the whole family as there is, from what I can remember virtually no profanity in the entire film, and its modest too, so you wont have to worry about any "bedroom" scenes either. Just a nice, film, that you'll want to watch again the next day.
Definitely Five stars on this one, you won't be disappointed.
Movie Review: A path we all need to travel
Summary: 5 Stars
The Ultimate Gift is thoughtful and entertaining while addressing one of humanities greatest faults: exclusive self interest and pride. You'll not be bored by the seemingly under-budget nature of similar movies that are long on virtue and short on dollars. The movie is well produced and the team of actors highly professional.
Jason, the lead character of the film is, like most of us, occupied with his own exclusive pursuits. Fulfilling his own passions is what life is all about. The opportunity to inherit a large estate peaks his interests and he is challenged and subjected to the will of another. This is strange territory for him but something, even if its only the lure of great wealth, holds his attentions as he embarks on the journey to receive his Ultimate Gift.
The remainder of the movie catalogues the journey of a young man once in love with his own need to thrive and play. Through the journey he learns what we must all learn. Our lives mean nothing and will count as very little until we learn to give ourselves in service and develop a mindset that places value and equality on every human being we encounter.
If we could each learn the secret of this gift there'd be nothing to report on the evening news but what good we had all done for each other. Its no exaggeration that our problems of homelessness, health care and hunger would all be solved.
This concept and the film are based on the lives and principles of the saints and servants of humanity that gave themselves so others would live in receipt of their Ultimate Gift: self sacrifice.