Monumental: In Search of America's National Treasure

“Are we going down the wrong path?” “Are we supposed to just let it go?” Have we forgotten what made our nation so great? These questions are brought to our attention in Kirk Cameron’s documentary “Monumental,” a film that raises questions about today’s culture and how our nation, as a whole, is rolling on a decline.

I attended the live event of “Monumental” on March 27th (2012), and I could not believe the turn out… I found out that not only my local theater sold out, but numerous theaters across the country did, as well. The event mainly consisted of Kirk Cameron doing a “pre-show” and “post-show” from his home, live. He conducted a few interviews with some of his family and friends and also invited a few Christian music artists to his home to share some songs with the audience.

However, March 27th is not the only showing. Over 500 theaters across the country will be showing the full documentary (which runs around 90 minutes) starting March 30th. The documentary, itself, was pretty impressive for a low budget, independently made film. The documentary begins with Kirk giving us a history lesson on the Pilgrims. We are told how they overcame the odds to start their very own nation—America.

But that’s not all. Kirk travels to parts of Europe and parts of the east coast to gain more knowledge and insight on how these brave men and women survived and overcame numerous obstacles. From fleeing England to sailing to Plymouth, Kirk Cameron covers a lot of the Pilgrims” journeys and discovers how they made our nation so great. As Kirk travels through Europe and America, he meets with historians, so we can even receive a more in depth look on what the Pilgrims did to bring this nation from the ground up and how government originally ran the country. We are even introduced to an amazing monument that many Americans have never even seen or heard of before… including myself.

Although the film is rated PG for “some mild thematic elements,” there is really no content for concern in this film. I recommend this “Monumental” for ages 8+, mainly due to the theme and nature of the film, since most young children won’t fully understand its messages. At the most, “Hell” is used twice, in reference to a specific location and rape is mentioned once or twice, just to describe that Pilgrims didn’t come to kill or steal from the Native Americans. We also briefly see one or two Native American men in a historical flashback wearing traditional loincloth (no nudity).

Unfortunately, times have changed and government doesn’t run the same way it used to, back in the days of the Pilgrims. Instead of the government making a stronger nation, they’re making it a weaker one—step by step. That is the message I received from “Monumental”. But we mustn’t play the “blame game,” as Kirk states. And I agree, whole-heartedly. We can’t just blame the government for the state our nation is in; the people of America are responsible for this nation, too. We caused the problem, and we need to fix it; and that time is now.

We have forgotten what made our nation so great—what Christian values and traditions it was founded upon, and we must always hold onto them. God blessed us with this land, and it’s time to restore what has been lost. As Kirk Cameron says in one of his closing statements, “The answer [for change] doesn’t begin at The White House, but at your house.” That’s a powerful statement declaring that we the people of the United States need to rise and restore this nation before it’s too late.

Many need to hear the messages of “Monumental,” but few will see it. So I strongly encourage you to see this film, as soon as possible. Since the film is only in about 500-600 theaters, it may not last long… unless we can fill those theaters, so the film will run longer. Kirk Cameron had the courage to make this film, and we need to make it last long in the theaters. God bless Kirk Cameron, and may God bless America.

Violence: None / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: None

Official Web site: MonumentalMovie.com

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.