Faith returns to the big screen in "I Can Only Imagine 2"

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The 2018 drama I Can Only Imagine told a complete story. Because of its clear and distinguished ending, a sequel felt unnecessary. The original ended as singer Bart Millard (Joh Michael Finley) overcame the abuse he faced as a child and built a solid relationship with his father Arthur (Dennis Quaid) the perpetrator of that abuse. At the story's conclusion, Millard was on a path to musical superstardom with his band MercyMe.

Fortunately for viewers, the film's sequel I Can Only Imagine 2 shows how a sequel to a true story can stand on its own and tell another personal story without repeating the same beats as the original.

Early on in the new film, the question of “is there life after the happily ever after” is posed and it’s an inquiry that the feature focuses on. John Michael Finley returns as Bart here and the character-- so unsure of himself in the original-- is thriving in the music industry. MercyMe has become a successful band and Bart — now a married father — is accustomed to touring with his group while raising his family.

However, that success has its limits as Bart spends much of his time away from home. Even though he’s publicly successful, Bart faces a personal crisis, struggling to connect with his diabetic son Sam (Sammy Dell). Remembering his troubled relationship with his late father, Bart attempts to connect with Sam but often finds himself feeling as an overbearing parent. 

When MercyMe embarks on a new tour, Bart hesitantly brings Sam along. He understands the risks but also knows that something good could arise from the arrangement. Alongside Sam, MercyMe also invites Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia), a young singer hoping to make his name in the industry, along the ride as MercyMe’s new opening act.

Writer Brent Mccorkle (who co-directed the feature with Andrew Erwin) manages to tell a new story here while maintaining some of the key elements of the original. Quaid, for instance, returns here in a series of flashbacks that reminds Bart of his past. While the original featured that relationship prominently – showing some of the abuse Bart suffered at his father's hands-- this follow-up compellingly shows the long-term repercussions of that abuse, wisely recognizing how that abuse affects Bart's relationship with others.

While showing Bart’s attempts to become a better father, the film really thrives when it focuses on Tim Timmons and his faith and his hopeful spirit. Tim’s relationship with Sam is one of the feature’s best elements as it shows the youngster Sam — who is learning how to take more responsibility in his own life — seeing faith through Tim’s eyes. While Sam grew up in a Christian household, it’s powerful to see him talk about religion and perseverance with a stranger who has faced his own difficulties in life. It helps him see things through a new perspective. 

Ventimiglia, best known for his work on Gilmore Girls and This is Us, becomes an essential part of this story with Sammy Dell also doing great work as Bart's strong-willed son.  

There are times when the father-son drama of I Can Only Imagine 2 don't feel as compelling as the drama from the first film. However, the feature more than makes up for that with the addition of the relationship between Sam and Tim, a relationship that helps make this sequel so compelling. While a sequel to the original feature didn't seem necessary at first, this strong follow-up shows that there can be inspiring and powerful stories that arise even after a "happily ever after" ending.