Safety (2020) User Reviews (73)

A Pleasant Surprise That Shows The Value Of What is Truly Important

[garethvk · 8/10 · 11 December 2020]

Ray-Ray McElrathbey (Jay Reeves) is a man with a bright future. He is a gifted athlete who has accepted a Football scholarship to Clemson and is about to take the first steps towards a better future. In the new Disney + film "Safety" Ray-Ray is about to learn how complicated life as a student athlete can be.

Based on a true story; Ray-Ray struggles with adapting to the more complex defensive schemes, Freshman hazing, class and practice schedules, and adjusting to his new life. His roommate and teammate Daniel (Hunter Sansone); offers him frequent support as being a low on the depth-chart kicker has taught him a perspective on things.

Ray-Ray meets a lady named Kaycee (Corinne Foxx) and sees his life on campus start to improve until life steps in to further complicate things. His young brother Fahmarr (Thaddeus J. Mixson); has been removed from the care of his mother due to her numerous substance issues. With only his gangster relative available; Ray-Ray agrees to care for his brother rather than turn him over to the Foster systems. Unfortunately for Ray-Ray; having his brother in the dorm with him is a strict violation and his continued care of his brother and the complications it causes threaten his scholarship and very future.

The film is a very touching and engaging look at the extent a person is willing to go to care for a family member and how the politics of college sports often conflict with what appear to be sensible and worthy actions by players and coaches.

The film does not go overboard with game sequences and there is no big game moment as the focus is on the characters and their relationships. "Safety" is one of the more pleasant surprises of the year and one not to miss.

4 stars out of 5

I'd recommend this, for sure

[r96sk · 8/10 · 31 January 2021]

'Safety' - very good!

Disney enters the sports drama market for what feels like the billionth time, though in fairness they usually nail it - and do the same with this. They've done many better, e.g. 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' and 'Glory Road', but I very much felt entertained by this.

The cinematography is, truly, excellent - credit to Shane Hurlbut. I also took note of the editing (Terel Gibson), which is particularly neat at the beginning. The plot is compelling and features a lot of heart, it certainly uses the usual Disney/sports biopic beats but there's a lot of goodness in there as well. On this note, it has a decision scene where I half expected Chuck Norris to appear. Iykyk.

I enjoyed the cast. Jay Reeves gives a terrific performance as Ray, while Thaddeus J. Mixson is more than solid as brother Fahmarr. Corinne Foxx (daughter of Jamie), James Badge Dale and, despite only a short appearance, Amanda Warren are also good. Cool, for me anyway, to see 'The Walking Dead' alum IronE Singleton involved.

I'd recommend this, for sure.

Standard Feel Good Flick from Disney

[qiu_xinzhi · 6/10 · 13 December 2020]

Safety is the sort of movie one would expect from Disney: a rousing, heartwarming, family-friendly story dramatized for the Big Screen (or now, for streaming). But the film is not shot with flair, the jumps in logic are obvious and distracting, and aside from the commendable character development, the film felt rather flat and thinly plotted.

"Safety" is a safe holiday film for the whole family. But beyond that, there is nothing here that remotely resembles a touch down.

A movie the whole family can watch (and eventually forget) together.

[cricketbat · 6/10 · 17 January 2021]

Safety is based on an interesting true story, but it's done by filmmakers who didn't quite tell it right. This movie rambles on a little too long at times (it clocks in at over two hours) and it glosses over other plot points that could have been interesting. This Disney film plays it safe and sticks to the tried and true inspirational sports movie formula. It's a movie the whole family can watch (and eventually forget) together.

Oh, Enjoy It!

[emortland · 6/10 · 12 December 2020]

So it's a true story, Oprah validates it at the end, and you won't find fault with any acting or craftsmanship involved in this film. But it's also oh so painfully predictable - regardless of fact or fiction - and it just detracts from making this a really good film. Too Disneyfied? If you had to rewatch either "Safety" or "Remember the Titans" from the Disney football library, which one would you choose?

Regardless, Messrs Reeves & Mixson are good and pleasant to watch, Mr Sansone has a really great voice, and Ms Foxx is surprisingly electric - right up until the NCAA hearing scene, when her wardrobe just didn't make sense. Okay, my subjective #firstworldproblems. The bottom line is during this particular era, when we're streaming everything in sight, there are probably worse ways to spend two hours. Chill & enjoy.

Inspirational

[johnstewart-82742 · 10/10 · 11 December 2020]

A great Good Feeling movies to watch with the kids me and my son loved it

Disney+

[yusufpiskin · 6/10 · 30 December 2020]

Dude.... have I missed these feel good sports movies! They seem to be a dying breed these days. However, Safety reminded me just how much I enjoy this genre of films. In this flick, Ray McElrathbey, a footballer representing Clemson University, faces various trials as he raises Fahmarr, his younger brother after the latter's life at home is in turmoil. The McElrathbey family's real life events seem picture perfect to be adapted in a motion picture. There are some flaws with the movie but the brotherhood aspect between Fahmarr, the Clemson football players & Ray outweighs whatever complaints one may have.

Uplifting film about the unbreakable bonds in communities and teams that will make athletes or former athletes smile!

Positive story my family needed leading up to Christmas

[aged-30648 · 10/10 · 11 December 2020]

Apparently based on true events and a great story about a young man taking on tremendous responsibility while in college. Great story about how the community surrounded him with love and helped him move forward. Well worth watching with your family. Very positive images of young black men!!!

Cheesy but heartwarming

[shoelessworks · 6/10 · 12 December 2020]

Not sure why there's so much hate for the movie other than maybe sour grapes from opposing fan bases to clemson. Other than FAU I don't think any other teams were mentioned really at all... even then nothing negative.

Don't think this has the same lasting impact as a movie like RUDY but it's also a completely different story altogether. It did seem a lot of creative license was taken in A LOT of the subplots/characters but again, it was still heartwarming.

Brought a smile to my face and was a welcome relief to the stress the world is in currently

And then they dropped his scholarship....

[bhsc · 3/10 · 13 December 2020]

After all the great PR and positive press, Clemson dropped his scholarship after he switched positions to RB and tore his ACL. They left him high and dry, injured, with a wave goodbye, and a "good luck, we'll help you with future endeavors." Google his name and "scholarship" and you'll see.

Don't listen to the other reviews

[jmarietta-65992 · 9/10 · 30 December 2020]

Everyone said things like "it's cheesy" or stuff like that, but this movie has a feel good story and was very inspiring. In my book, a 9 is like a ten. I barely give tens but this movie was incredibly great and I recommend you watch the whole movie before you make a decision on it.

I got beef with the wardrobe department

[lkirschner-89987 · 6/10 · 15 January 2022]

Good enough movie...some funny parts. But I gotta say, the wardrobe department phoned it in. This is supposed to be 2006? I'm sorry, where are the low rise jeans? The layering tanks? The graphic tees? They really said, here's your sidekick phone and Hey Ya ringtone, but otherwise it's 2020. Lazy.

Full of potential but underperformed

[smrhamedani-28253 · 7/10 · 17 December 2020]

It certainly has a heart warming story and if you are a fan of sport movies you would be satisfied. But the problem is the acting and in some cases directorial problems. You can not see the power of emotion in most of scenes and sometimes the actors are able to glare at each other. The lead mumble and stumble in his encounter with the female lead and doesn't produce a believable act. Although the straight forward way of story telling and cutting the unnecessary drama and detail was a risk that worked out well in the tone of the movie.

too long more than safe

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 23 December 2020]

Ray-Ray McElrathbey is a freshman scholarship football player for Clemson University. He's a first year safety. School and football is overwhelming but they don't compare to his home. His mother is in jail. His younger brother Fahmarr is abandoned at home. With her going to rehab, Ray-Ray decides to hide Fahmarr on campus instead of leaving him in the foster system.

This is a true story which got some media play including Oprah. It's a sports bio inspirational story. It is too easy to say that this is too safe. It is too long at two hours. This type of movies needs to be ninety minutes or so. It feels its extra length. The film needs to snip out extra seconds everywhere in the movie. First, it needs to be compressed for a simpler reason. It needs to get Fahmarr on the screen much sooner. The brothers' relationship is the heart and soul of this movie. It needs to bring that out as quickly as possible. They need to interact and build that chemistry. As for the two actors, they're fine especially for lesser known actors. They are able to build that chemistry over time. They have some great moments like the North-South scene. The movie needs to zero in on that like a laser beam. The other stuff often feels like overloading on Ray-Ray's back. If the movie wants to end with the NCAA stuff, it needs to be set up with some better foreshadowing. I know that I advocated for cutting out the fat but the movie could start with his recruitment. It would show his mother's condition, the brothers' relationship, and the NCAA restrictions all in one scene. In the end, just cut out about thirty minutes and this would be better.

An incredible story

[clemsontigers1 · 10/10 · 11 December 2020]

It's pathetic that the rating is being dragged down by jealous gamecock-loving, Clemson haters. Their only weapon; a 1 star. That's the case with movie ratings and football players.

A Heartwarming Story of Football and Family, But Not Without Problems

[Mysterygeneration · 6/10 · 4 March 2024]

The true tale of Ray McElrathbey, a football star for Clemson University who overcomes enormous personal obstacles to care for his younger brother, is told in the film Safety (2020). The movie has a touching message about perseverance, sacrifice, and family, although other parts may seem shallow or conventional.

Ray's adventure is the main source of the film's strength. It is incredibly motivating to see how committed he is to his studies, football career, and most importantly, his caregiving duties. The ensemble has strong performances; Jharrel Jerome as Ray and Thaddeus J. Mixson as his brother Fahmarr stand out in particular. Their friendship is made even more charming by their on-screen chemistry. The video illustrates the sacrifices one makes for family and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood in a compelling way. Audiences of all ages can relate to this message.

Despite its good intentions, the story of the movie follows a formulaic path, depending heavily on cliches and leaving little room for unexpected developments. A more feel-good storyline may be sacrificed in favor of a more straightforward portrayal of some real-life problems that Ray and Fahmarr encounter in the movie. Although the movie recognizes Ray's struggles as a student-athlete, it skips over some of the subtleties of collegiate sports culture.

Funny and touching

[leiros91 · 8/10 · 1 January 2021]

Worth watching. Sweet drama, based on a true story. The whole family enjoyed it.

Decent enough feel good movie

[Nathan4 · 6/10 · 16 January 2022]

Has a low budget feel to it with mediocre acting. It's cheesier than I would have liked, and is much more geared towards kids than adults. However, the two stars do a solid enough job to carry it through. Corinne Fox is gorgeous and potentially a future star, although she's not there yet. There are also enough laughs sprinkled throughout to help lighten the mood. Good enough for a one-time viewing, but that's about it.

Clemson Fluff Piece

[jcd-39158 · 1/10 · 13 December 2020]

Disney fails to tell the full of story of Ray Ray's time at Clemson and seems to be more concentrated in filling your screen with vomit orange instead. What Clemson did to Ray Ray is one of the bigger travesties in college football where they decided to pull his scholarship when he tore his ACL because they moved him to offense. This all after he brought them national attention. Also, overall, is just a sad attempt to try and create another Rudy movie.

A great Clemson recruitment film

[mdf-87936 · 10/10 · 11 December 2020]

I remember when the story of Ray and his brother became national news. Even back in 2006 I thought this story would make a great movie (it certainly wouldn't be any worse than "Rudy"). As a HUGE Clemson fan, I was so psyched when I heard that a film was actually being made. Sure, it has your typical sports movie schmaltz... a la "Remember the Titans", but, again, being a Clemson fan, I loved it from start to finish. I'm sure that many South Carolina Lamecock fans will rate it very low, but don't listen to the haters and decide for yourself. Now I guess I know how Norte Dame fans felt about Rudy. Perhaps the movie is terrible, but seeing it through rose colored glasses due to my passion for my beloved Tigers, it's awesome!!

Please inform yourself before commenting

[joeiassogna1 · 6/10 · 26 October 2022]

Several have taken pot shots at Clemson regarding the scholarship issue. Please research the issue before commenting. Actually read something before forming an opinion. Isn't there enough quick reaction/comment in our society now? Ask yourself how you would feel if someone said something about you without all the facts.

This is a nice story, plain and simple regarding a strong young man overcoming obstacles in his life. It is inspirational. This film and Clemson University should not be attacked by social media miscreants. Try reading what this wonderful young man said about it himself. Jeez!

A bit disappointing

[jsaus63304 · 5/10 · 21 December 2020]

I like movies based on real people so I was looking forward to this one. While it had potential, it never really lived up to it. Somehow it never grabbed you like other movies of this type. Look to movies like "Rudy", "Invincible", "Remember the Titans". "We Are Marshall". "Greater" and others before watching this one. Perhaps the writers and directors should have watched them too.

Cute...

[RosanaBotafogo · 7/10 · 19 April 2021]

It would be raining in the wet to say that Disney knows how to make cute and moving commercial movies based on real events, one more to count, simple and delicate, captivating characters, that overcoming that we like and kindness gestures that leave our hearts warm .. It is unnecessary to report that I cried in the "court"... Cute...

Good family movie

[desertrose0601-690-503760 · 6/10 · 19 July 2022]

Pretty good. I was distracted throughout it though about why his brother couldn't even be seen on campus. It's not like kids are verboten on college campuses. I've been to college. I know things. Lol. Not sure if that was dramatic license bc they thought it'd make for a more interesting movie, or if this guy really is that dumb to think people would blow a gasket to see a kid on campus.

Safety was a touching film

[Strikeguy · 10/10 · 16 December 2020]

I watched this film yesterday, and it almost broke down & cried. That man taking so much time off for his brother, that means that his heart is bigger than any football players I've heard. Plus this film is NOT AT ALL like"Remember The Titans". I was reading more about "Safety" & finding out that this was more than just football. Ray-Ray went the distences for his family (including his teammates as well). Re-watch this film &you will really understand of how much one young man can go farther than just school & football. I respect Ray McElrathbey.