Soul Surfer [Original Soundtrack]

Recording information: Garth's Place; Seven Seas Of Sligh.
A feel-good movie about a spunky surfer girl who loses an arm in a horrific shark attack deserves a feel-good soundtrack, and Soul Surfer, an inspirational biopic on Bethany Hamilton, achieves just that with a pleasant mix of alternative rock, CCM, teen pop, and a little slack key Hawaiian music tossed in for good measure. Opening with the impossible chipper radio hit "Sound of Sunshine" by Michael Franti & Spearhead, the soundtrack dutifully rolls out nine more amiable tracks, including "This Is the Life" (Two Door Cinema Club), "Ho'oheno Keia No Beauty" (Bla Pahinui), and cover of Katy Perry's "Firework" by former American Idol contestant Chris Sligh. ~ James Christopher Monger