Grade: B+
As a Christian, I anticipate these types of movies (Saved! and Religulous) with an interesting blend of fear and excitement. Fear of the minute chance that its criticism of my faith will ultimately destroy one of it's foundations. And excitement that another perspective can stimulate my growth that exceeds the stereotypes and Sunday sermons.
And though I can say both with disappointment and relief, that I am still the same person now as I was before watching the film, Jesus Camp did deliver on what was expected of it: serving a thin slice of conservative Christian America. Filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady allow the people to a) make complete fools of themselves and b) express their passion for something they will believe to the grave. It's the type of refreshing documentary that understands how to always show, never tell.
Pastor Becky Fischer is the head of the Christian summer camp, trying to raise up an army of Christian soldiers from the ground up. Brainwashing or providing an anti-culture is up for you to decide while we enter the lives of three home-schooled Missouri children whose personalities are sometimes disturbing, and sometimes hysterical.
What was most enjoyable for me were the personal battles raging within during the film. Defense mechanisms fought off subtle claims that a radical love for Jesus was hurting our world. Meanwhile, I have to come to terms with how far insecure Christians will go while forgoing the message of Jesus. Despite all that, it's sad that the audience doesn't see that most of these children turn out okay; we do not become carbon copies of Pat Robertsons in America. Instead, the only adults we see in this film are camp counselors like Ms. Fischer and a weird (to say the least) scene involving the pre-shamed Ted Haggard.
Another fault of this film is voice of God credibility lent to radio talk show host Mike Papantonio. Every fifteen minutes or so, we hear his one-man commentary about the absurdity of neo-conservative Christians until he ultimately confronts Ms. Fischer on his program. But like all radio talk shows, the host always wins, always gets the last word, and always hangs up on the caller. Whatever he says goes, and the filmmakers almost wanted us to trust his commentary.
Not that a documentary should be unbiased, but it should strive to reveal deeper understandings for the motives or the reasons behind what see on the screen. Jesus Camp is interesting and entertaining for sure as an above-average film, but as a very good documentary, it falls just a tad short.
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