If you want a history lesson, see the documentary; if you want entertainment, see this

Rating: 8/10 (3 June 2005)

A few months back I rented Stacy Paralta's acclaimed documentary "Dogtown and Z-Boys". While I myself am not an avid skateboarder, my love of the cinema and for counter-culture led me directly to this work. I was immediately drawn into the world of skateboarding as created by Skip Engblom's motley crew of surfer/skaters.
That's the factual history of skateboarding and the Zephyr team.
For a dramatized and entertaining account, see what I have dubbed "Stand By Me on acid".
Strong performances from the leads and certain supporting players are the main highlight of the film.
Heath Ledger finally impresses me as the seemingly always wasted Skip. Emile Hirsch, breaking what could have been a type-cast career by playing a bad-ass was the stand-out as troubled Jay Adams. And Rebecca De Mornay stole most of the scenes she was in as Adams' even more troubled mom.
My only real negative critique of the film is that the direction lacked the necessary focus. There were times when it felt like I was listening to a 5 year old describe "Crime and Punishment". Catherine Hardwicke was not the right choice, though a decent enough one to not let this film completely fail. The cast and crew were able to make up for her lack of direction and then some.
Overall though, as film, I give it an 8 out of 10 and has placed 4th in my current list of the top 20 films of 2005 (behind 1-Sin City, 2-Kingdom of Heaven, 3-Crash).