Director Douglas B. Maddox’s family feature, Operation Friendship, explores the enduring values of teamwork, family, and courage in the face of adversity, and how lessons of the past can be applied to the problems of today. Chaz Smith (Izaak Bellis) idolizes his grandfather (Vincent Dantone), a World War II veteran, and loves hearing his stories about his vital role in D-Day. Later that night, Chaz’s father, Dave (James Arnold Taylor), discusses with his mom, Lisa (Libby Smallbone), his grandfather’s fading memory and the toll it’s taking on the family. Dave says that with prayer, goodness will prevail.
Meanwhile, at school, Chaz is dealing with a local bully, Zach Brown (Maddox Mitchell), who steals other kids’ plastic toy soldiers to build an unbeatable army, annihilating everyone who challenges him. When Chaz divulges to his grandfather about the bullying, Grandpa recalls how Germany bullied the world during WWII. His piece of advice to Chazz is that sometimes you must stand up for what you believe in.
Zach challenges Chazz to a winner-takes-all army man battle, where the winner keeps everything. With support from his dad, his class—including Craig (Raphael Joseph Sommer) and Phoebe (Gabriella Dillenback)—and his teacher, Chaz organizes a massive dirt-clod war at the park. Through teamwork, strategy, and the encouragement of his grandfather, Chaz learns the value of friendship, family, and standing up to bullies.
James Arnold Taylor plays Dave Smith, a devoted father supporting his family in Operation Friendship.
“…Chaz learns the value of friendship, family, and standing up to bullies.”
Operation Friendship targets its audience squarely at children under ten. Just as kids love dinosaurs, boys still love the war stories of old, especially the message of brave men who risked their lives by doing what was right. Written and directed by Douglas B. Maddox, Operation Friendship takes on the theme of standing up for the underdog and hits hard with this important message for the younger set—don’t sit back waiting for someone else to come to the rescue, but be that person.
Famed voice actor James Arnold Taylor anchors this crew of young actors. Yes, Taylor may slip into his arsenal of accents and characters for a bit of fun, but he plays the steady father who is there in a time of need for his wife, father-in-law, and most importantly, his son. His relationship with Chaz reminds me of the famous father/son duo Andy and Opie.
My only qualm is that the acting is a little too improvised at times. The tipoff is when there’s just too much banter between characters trying too hard to establish some camaraderie before the important dialogue is brought in. You can see it in the opening scene between Dave and Lisa, and the music discussion between Dave and Chaz.
Operation Friendship is a film that aims to revive the kind of good American values of being a good citizen, looking out for your neighbors, and lending a hand when someone’s in need. At its heart is a portrait of a family that prays together, leans on one another, and teaches children that doing the right thing is the lesson you need to become a better adult. These are messages that the big studios stay away from with a very long stick.
Operation Friendship premieres August 12 on all streaming & cable platforms across the US & Canada.
"…don’t sit back waiting for someone else to come to the rescue, but be that person."
