With our nation celebrating the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, a momentous event, it would have been nice to see Hollywood get in on the act by producing films commemorating our amazing history. Yet over the 4th of July weekend, the only patriotic film recognizing the events surrounding our nation’s birth was a movie produced by Angel Studies titled “Young Washington.”

The movie, as the title indicates, focuses on a young George Washington and his heroic actions during the Battle of the Monongahela, an early battle in the French and Indian War.

Historically accurate, the movie depicts the development of Washington’s strong convictions and fidelity to his countrymen. It follows his efforts to serve the king in the British military, his surveying of the Ohio territory, and his first failed battle against the French at Fort Necessity.

The movie is well-acted, with a cast that includes a number of well-established and accomplished actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Ben Kingsley, and Andy Serkis.

It’s clear from this film that Angel Studios is getting better and better with the movies it produces.

Thematically, the film follows the classic hero’s journey, in which young George Washington, who loses his father at a young age, must confront a world that often seems unfair. Furthermore, George is encouraged to learn from his failures, seeing them as opportunities for growth rather than as defeats. It’s that indelible American Spirit that has long defined our national character, but has seemingly been forgotten by too many. It’s a message that desperately needs to be taught and embraced by today’s generation of Americans.

It is a curious thing that Hollywood has historically produced so few films depicting the history of our nation’s birth and the lives of our Founding Fathers. In an era when patriotism is too often derided as deluded at best and racist at worst, films like “Young Washington” go a long way in confronting this false view, and do so in an inspiring and non-condescending manner.

The thematic messages of this film are not preachy, but are presented realistically and believably by the characters. One will not feel pressure to like this film because of a desire to support alternative studios rather than Hollywood. This is a genuinely good movie, from the writing to the acting to the cinematography.

If you have an opportunity, go out and enjoy this film. Indeed, many people already have, as the movie has exceeded expectations, generating nearly $20 million in its opening weekend and putting it in third place in box-office revenue this week.

In an era when so much negative revisionism has distorted the historical record and produced an overall negative view of our nation’s founding and heroes like George Washington, it’s a breath of fresh air to see films like this that accurately and positively depict our nation’s Founders. Men like Washington were legitimate heroes for a reason. Their values, resolve, and commitment to fight for and found a nation on the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the embodiment of what it means to be an American.

These are good values to be proud of and celebrated, not to be ashamed of and dispensed with as if they were evil. America is that shining city on a hill, precisely because of these values generations upon generations of Americans have lived, fought, and died for.