'Soul Surfer' makes very few waves

By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY

The inspiring story of surfer and shark attack victim Bethany Hamilton deserves a better dramatization. While well-meaning, this montage mashup comes across more like an extended commercial for Hawaii tourism than a stirring tale of resilience.

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  By Mario Perez, FilmDistrict/TriStar

  AnnaSophia Robb plays Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm to a shark in 2003.

By Mario Perez, FilmDistrict/TriStar

AnnaSophia Robb plays Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm to a shark in 2003.

A documentary featuring the real Bethany would have been far more compelling than this simplistic version.

AnnaSophia Robb plays Bethany, a Kauai native who grew up on a surfboard.

Her sun-dappled life, marked by a strong Christian faith, seems golden. As she rises up the ranks of Hawaiian surf competitions, her supportive parents (Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt) and two brothers love her unconditionally.

Soul Surfer
* * out of four

Stars: AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Lorraine Nicholson, Carrie Underwood
Director: Sean McNamara
Distributor: TriStar/FilmDistrict
Rating: PG for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material
Running time: 1 hour, 46 minutes
Opens Friday in select cities

Then the unimaginable happens. Bethany (who was 13 at the time) goes surfing with best pal Alana (Lorraine Nicholson), and out of nowhere, a shark bites off her arm.

Strangely, this moment is the least dramatic shark attack ever put on film.

Singer Carrie Underwood has an awkward acting debut as Bethany's religious mentor. She should definitely not quit her day job.

Quaid and Hunt engagingly portray loving parents. Robb has a casual grace, convincingly playing a surfer, thanks to effective stunt work and digital effects. But most of the other roles could be cardboard cutouts.

Bethany's determination and faith are remarkable. It's too bad this movie made a brave young woman's life appear like an unremarkable soap opera.

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