I Can Only Imagine 2 * A Heartfelt, Spiritual Film That Explores Themes Of Family, Connection, And Faith
After the breakout success of the song “I Can Only Imagine,” MercyMe’s Bart Millard (John Michael Finley) is living the dream—sold-out arenas, a devoted fan base, and a thriving career. But behind the spotlight, Bart’s past threatens the family he’s built, especially the fragile bond with his son, Sam. When hopeful newcomer Tim Timmons joins the band for their biggest tour yet, he unknowingly brings a renewed gratitude to Bart’s life through their unlikely friendship. Bart soon discovers that Tim carries hardships—and secrets—of his own, forcing Bart to face his past and repair his relationships with Sam and his wife, Shannon, before fame costs him what matters most.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Kyla C. comments, “I Can Only Imagine 2 is a heartfelt, spiritual film that explores themes of family, connection, and faith. This film contains characters and storylines that truly captivate me…” Braedyn M. adds, “A great element of this film is how real all aspects are. Both this film and its predecessor are based on true stories of Bart Millard and the band MercyMe. This greatly increases the relatability and connection of the plot…” Ashish S. wraps it up with, “I love how it manages both heavy and dramatic moments of conflict as well as more lighthearted plot points. It all culminates into a beautiful and valuable lesson by the end.” See their full reviews below.
I Can Only Imagine 2
By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16
Milo Ventimiglia as Tim in I Can Only Imagine 2. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
I Can Only Imagine 2 is a heartfelt, spiritual film that explores themes of family, connection, and faith. This film contains characters and storylines that truly captivate me, creating a powerful plot driven by the pulse of music and heart.
I Can Only Imagine 2 follows Bart Millard (John Michael Finley) as he faces the challenges of raising a family, including a son, Sam (Sammy Dell), who struggles with diabetes, amidst his band’s big tour. Following Bart’s personal struggles in the original I Can Only Imagine film, the sequel focuses on how the scars from his past continue to impact his present. A new addition to the tour, Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia), and his own struggles are introduced as the two characters form a bond and discover how to help each other. Bart must learn to cope with his past and strengthen his faith to move on and bond with his son, family, and fellow band members.
Dennis Quaid as Arthur in I Can Only Imagine 2. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
This film aims to empower viewers through emotional connection. It balances an atmosphere of grief with intense tones of hope and faith. The realness of the characters’ experiences and struggles makes them relatable. Throughout the film, I felt myself forming deeper and deeper connections with the characters until their grief became my grief and their joy became my joy. The strength of emotion in this film shone through immediately, captivating me and bringing me into Bart’s universe. The powerful acting performances, specifically in the roles of Sam Millard and Tim Timmons, deepen the emotional connections that viewers experience throughout the duration of the film. Furthermore, this film addresses the reality of life post-success. Many stories about musicians, actors, athletes, and other professionals who achieve success illustrate their success as the end of the story. They fail to acknowledge the reality that life always throws curveballs, no matter how much success someone has. The success of Bart’s song brought him plenty of joy, but also brought new challenges. The flashbacks to Bart’s experiences with his father provide insight into Bart’s feelings and thought process, allowing viewers to better understand his struggles. This sequel serves its ultimate purpose of demonstrating not just the struggle and conflict of the characters’ lives, but also how they cope with it by forming stronger relationships with each other and their faith. At its center, the film focuses on what brings us all together: passion, dreams, faith, and heart.
I Can Only Imagine 2. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
I Can Only Imagine 2 is extremely powerful in conveying a message that each and every person has their struggles, no matter what success they have had in the past. The film explores the idea that strengthening one’s faith and focusing on what matters most is what will carry us through hard times. Viewers should be aware that the film covers sensitive subject matters, including chronic illness, as well as some mild profanity.
I Can Only Imagine 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. I Can Only Imagine 2 is playing in theaters now.
I Can Only Imagine 2
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17
Milo Ventimiglia as Tim, Aaron Benward as Barry, John Michael Finley as Bart, Mark Furze as Nathan, Ezra Proch as Robby, Jason Burkey as Mike, Sammy Dell as Sam, and Trace Adkins as Brickell in I Can Only Imagine 2. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
What do you get when you combine multiple hit songs, a powerful true comeback story, and a focus on faith and family? You get I Can Only Imagine 2, a sequel that delivers on all its expectations, and finds ways to excel and share God’s word.
Following the events from I Can Only Imagine, lead singer of the Christian band MercyMe, Bart Millard (John Michael Finley), is living the life he always wished for with cheering crowds and nation-wide tours filling his days. But as his family evolves and tensions rise, he realizes that the hard times might not be over. His son Sam (Sammy Dell) is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a condition that stresses the bond that Bart has maintained with him throughout the years.
When a sudden change brings the cheerful musician Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia) into the band’s fold, Tim’s bright spark helps others see the world in a new light. Through this lens Bart comes to terms with his troublesome past, keeping in the present moment, while learning to trust God’s plan for his future.
John Michael Finley as Bart, Trace Adkins as Brickell, and Milo Ventimiglia as Tim in I Can Only Imagine 2. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
A great element of this film is how real all aspects are. Both I Can Only Imagine 2 and its predecessor I Can Only Imagine are based on true stories of Bart Millard and the band MercyMe. This greatly increases the relatability and connection of the plot – helping others who may be going through similar challenges. As Bart and Sam learn to put more trust in each other while the band tours nationwide, they realize that, maybe, they can work together after all. This, coupled with the support and inspiration from Tim Timmons, eventually culminates in my favorite scene of the entire film, the writing of the song “Even If.”
The way the directors stage and execute its filming is very smart, with echoes and flashes of past moments that influenced Bart’s lyrics. Throughout this scene, I saw how much of himself Bart puts into his music. All his doubts, hopes, fears, trusts, not to mention Tim’s own, are heard in his words. This makes for an epic and triumphant comeback. Using this freshly-made song, Bart, Sam, and Tim share God’s love with those who need to hear it most.
John Michael Finley as Bart and Sammy Dell as Sam in I Can Only Imagine 2. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
This film’s message is to always look and see God’s goodness. Both Bart and Tim have difficult histories that they struggle with, but through it all, they realize they are looking for the goodness of God. They trust that God is with them in their struggles and, even if He doesn’t lessen their load, their hope and faith is in Him alone. By the end of the movie they both are able to share gratitude instead of grief.
I Can Only Imagine 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is available in cinemas now.
I Can Only Imagine 2
By Ashish S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17
Director/Writer Brent Mccorkle and Director Andrew Erwin in I Can Only Imagine 2. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
I Can Only Imagine 2 is a heartwarming film that captivated and entertained me from start to end. I love how it manages both heavy and dramatic moments of conflict as well as more lighthearted plot points. It all culminates into a beautiful and valuable lesson by the end.
The film follows the true story of the band MercyMe, picking up from their rapid rise to fame following the success of their chart-topping, award-winning single, “I Can Only Imagine.” However, things go from high to low fast for lead singer Bart Millard (John Michael Finley), when he discovers his teenage son, Sam (Sammy Dell) has type one diabetes. Following a career slowdown and trouble with his son, Bart reluctantly agrees to let Sam and singer Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia) join him and the rest of MercyMe on tour.
There are so many great things about this film, but the writing stands out. The screenwriter is clearly a master storyteller, effectively weaving together what is shown on screen with dialogue.
I Can Only Imagine 2. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
Some scenes require more words to communicate the mood, such as when Bart bursts into the hospital after his wife, Shannon (Sophie Skelton), calls him to say that Sam isn’t waking up. Others convey intense emotions with heated dialogue, such as Bart and Tim’s conversation later in the film. The writer structures the story well by providing moments of levity in between more intense scenes. For example, Tim pranks his wife, Hilary (Arielle Kebbel) by pouring ice on her while she is in the shower and, in another scene; the MercyMe boys prank Tim while he is in the bathroom. The story moves along at a rapid pace and effectively utilizes flashbacks to support various character arcs. At one point, we see Bart struggling with his relationship with his son, and he leans into memories with his father, Arthur (Dennis Quaid) to figure out how to handle it. Another thing that I love is John Michael Finley’s portrayal of Bart. He makes the character feel real to the audience with every single emotion – whether frustration, embarrassment, joy, or despair – and nothing feels fake. For instance, Bart’s heartbreak feels so real, especially how much he blames himself for Sam’s accident. I also really enjoyed the background music choices. They contribute to the mood and messages of the film. For example, when Bart leaves the hospital and enters the elevator he gets flashbacks of his father abusing him while stabbing Sam with the needle for his treatment. The music dies down and gets more serious as Bart witnesses a grieving couple whose child just passed away leaving the hospital. My favorite part is the character, Tim Timmons. His story of overcoming adversity is so inspiring. Even in the midst of having cancer, he continues to have a positive outlook on life and is pursuing his dreams. We see him put an X on his wrist every day to thank God for waking him up again, and then he goes on tour with MercyMe. His sense of humor is great too, like when he says, “It’s nice for you to meet me” when he first met the MercyMe boys.
Tim Timmons and Milo Ventimiglia as Tim in I Can Only Imagine 2. Photo Credit: Jake Giles Netter
The film’s message reinforces the concept of “it is well with my soul.” No matter what situation life throws at us, we are never alone, because we have others to support us and we have God who is always there for us. The film stresses that our hope and trust is in God and God alone. Regardless of whether things change or not, all is well, because life is all about carrying grief and gratitude at the same time.
I Can Only Imagine 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is available in theaters now.
