Better than I was expecting...

Rating: 7/10 (5 February 2003)

Ok, going into this movie, I did not have the highest of expectations. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. Don't listen to the people on the message board. Blue Crush isn't the best movie of 2002 but it definitely isn't the worst. Kate "Why in the world did I do Rules of Attraction?" Bosworth plays Anne Marie, a young girl who is forced into the role of mother to her younger sister (played quite well by Mika Boorem) when her mom runs off to Vegas with a man. Michelle Rodriguez plays Eden, Anne Marie's coach who lives vicariously through her when it comes to surfing. Surf star Sanoe Lake makes a convincing debut as a surfer girl and this is the inner circle of friends for the movie. Most of the surfing footage is edited quite well and the only thing I found to be really cheesy is the end shot (if you've seen Blue Crush you know what I mean). Rodriguez once again plays a tough girl (can she play anything else?) who is more driven by Anne Marie's goals than Anne Marie. I could've done without the love interest side story between Anne Marie and Matt, the NFL quarterback in Hawaii for what I presume is the Pro Bowl. I get that they were drawing parallels between Anne Marie and her mother (both have men wanting to whisk them away). Extras are cast quite well and you really get to appreciate the gorgeous scenery that is Hawaii throughout the movie. On the level of a surfing movie this works. The huge waves, competition, and girls in bikinis were all quite enjoyable. The side stories weren't as good although I did enjoy the football players and their antics. In the end you really felt for Anne Marie and Bosworth does a great job carrying off the character. There was great chemistry between the 3 surfer girls and that really showed in the movie. Props for most of the cast doing as much of their own stunts as possible as well. If you like good looking kids in paradise, this is the movie for you. Some of the unneeded cheeseyness takes points away but for a mindless summertime flick, I have to endorse Blue Crush.
*DVD includes loads of extras including commentary by Bosworth, Rodriguez, and Lake who arrives late (must have been surfing) and commentary by Stockwell. Music videos, surfing terms, a behind the scenes look at the making of the film makes the extras strong.* ***7/10 stars***