I was pleasantly surprised..

Rating: 9/10 (18 May 2005)

Having been dragged to this movie preview by my 9 year old skateboarding son, my expectations were low. This film was well done, and did not require a dramatic denouement. The biggest surprise was Heath Ledger, who casts off his pretty boy image and chews up the scenery. My 16 year old daughter is going to love it because of the boys, the board-boys will love it because it chronicles the history of the sport, and parents like me will be swept away by the soundtrack alone. I hope this film gets the attention it deserves. My husband had seen the trailer and warned me that I was in for snooze, but I was actually quite engaged the entire time. I am currently putting together a program in Seattle that will pair teen skaters with beginners in exchange for community service hours. Hopefully this film will reinvigorate the sport and draw more attention to the need for decent skate parks in the area.