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Family Comes First in Disney+’s Newest Inspirational Sports Drama

Photo via Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution

Family Comes First in Disney+’s Newest Inspirational Sports Drama

By Movieguide® Staff

Mark Ciardi has produced some of the most inspirational sports movies to hit cinemas in recent years, including MCFARLAND, USA; MIRACLE; INVINCIBLE; SECRETARIAT; MILLION DOLLAR ARM; and THE ROOKIE.

His latest project, SAFETY, holds to similar hopeful themes that inspire viewers young and old.

According to the Movieguide® review:

SAFETY is a heartrending, powerful, triumphant movie streaming on Disney Plus [Disney+]. Ray has a full football scholarship to Clemson, a football powerhouse in the NCAA. He’s also extremely bright. At first, Ray is overwhelmed by taking too many course credits as well as the football training. Then, when their mother is forced to go to rehab after being caught with some drugs, Ray decides to hide his little brother at Clemson. When this is discovered the football coach tries to help Ray, but an NCAA official intervenes.

SAFETY is an extremely powerful movie about a brother’s love for his little brother. It’s peppered with references to prayer and the school chaplain’s kindness. The ending includes a Christian song about the help God always provides. The passion and love of Ray’s teammates and his coaches are heartwarming, as is the love of Ray’s romantic interest. The movie’s jeopardy is intense, since viewers will think the little brother is going to be discovered or taken away from Ray at any instant. Like many sports dramas, SAFETY is a great movie for families to watch together.

Ciardi reiterated this when he spoke to Movieguide® Publisher and Founder, Dr. Ted Baehr.

“Family comes really first with this film–family sacrifice and responsibility,” Ciardi said. “Here’s a young kid who stepped up and became a parent really to sacrifice his own future. He was lucky enough to be able to combine both and take care of his brother and continue with with school and football.”

The producer continued, “When you look at it from from a distance, it’s really incredible. Not everybody would step up. [Ray] said, ‘I didn’t even think about it. It’s just my family mattered that much to me.’ It was really beautiful, those sentiments.”

Ciardi credits the Disney brand for telling stories that matter and appeal to the whole family.

“We tried to show authentic moments, but you don’t need language, you don’t need things that would give you a [bad] rating,” Ciardi said. “That’s that’s what I love, too. We’ve done it with all our movies, they don’t feel like G or PG movies, they feel realistic and authentic. You want to be able to show a family. You don’t want to cover anybody’s ears or eyes. That’s what I like about this. It doesn’t feel like it’s a soft movie at all, but the whole family can. That’s what I love about the legacy of the films that I’ve done is that, especially with Disney, because it’s like that’s the stamp–you don’t have to worry about it. You don’t have to worry about, ‘Is there gonna be a moment in here that I can’t handle or my kids can’t handle?'”

Watch Ciardi’s full interview below.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.