The Ultimate Gift (DVD, 2009, Dove O-Ring)

With the formation of 20th Century Fox's new Christian division, Fox Faith, the studio is set to launch several films aimed at a Christian audience. At the top of the pile is "The Ultimate Gift," a movie filmed two years before Abigail Breslin became a household name with "Little Miss Sunshine."

"The Ultimate Gift" follows Jason Stevens, an apathetic youth who must jump through a few hoops before receiving an inheritance left by his late, enormously wealthy grandfather. Along the way, Jason awakens from the disillusioned life he's been leading and meets a multitude of colorful characters.

"The Ultimate Gift" is so polished because it had a higher budget than most films in the inspirational genre. Sad to say, but money rules the day, and most faith films have less than $1 million dollars to work with. Apart from bludgeoning the viewer with a message while sacrificing quality scrips, filming or acting, many of these low-budget inspirational films are barely qualified TV movies.

But "The Ultimate Gift" is different. While the script does suffer from a few obvious plot holes, the film is mostly solid. Nor does it shove its message down the audience's throat. In all, a good inspirational film with Christian elements and an accomplished cast.

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