Blu-ray Release: War Room

By John Corrado

Today, Sony Pictures is releasing the popular faith-based drama War Room on Blu-ray.  Tony (T.C. Stallings) and Elizabeth Jordan (Priscilla Shirer) live a privileged life with their daughter Danielle (Alena Pitts), but their lives are actually crumbling under the weight of increasing distance and a stalled out marriage, aggravated by his constant business travelling and possible infidelity.

When Elizabeth meets her latest real estate client, a spunky older woman named Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie), who spends much of her time in her “war room,” a closet devoted to prayer, the family gets a much needed jolt to their once-strong faith that just might change their lives.

Following Fireproof and Courageous, War Room is the latest surprise box office hit from brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, once again made on a pretty modest budget with help from their community and local churches.  Although not every element works, including a cringe-inducing running gag involving foot odour, the production values are slick, and the story clearly has its heart in the right place.  Enlivened by a likeable performance from Karen Abercrombie, War Room is a slight cut above the average religious drama, and faithful audiences will surely find it to be inspiring if predictable entertainment.

The Blu-ray also includes commentary with the Kendrick Brothers, deleted scenes, bloopers and outtakes, as well as nine featurettes on different aspects of the production and a music video.

War Room is 120 minutes and rated PG.