REVIEW: ‘Chasing Mavericks’ not for the seasick
Some people visit the beach. Others wade in the sea. Those who surf return home to the ocean.
As a young boy counts ocean waves on a rocky shore, his friend’s dog chases a ball and runs past him, but he acts quickly and saves the dog from being crushed by the waves. A giant wave crashes over the rocks and pulls the boy into the sea.
A passing surfer miraculously arrives in time to rescue the boy. Inspired, the boy begins to take steps to learn to surf using an old surfboard he found in his garage. He takes some advice from a surfer about his age and the two become buddies.
Seven years later the boy, Jay Moriarity, played by Jonny Weston, is a teenager and a highly skilled surfer. He still lives in the same old town with the same old people: his friends, the town bullies, and the girl he’s had a crush on since they were kids, Kim, played by Leven Rambin.
The man who saved Jay, Frosty Hesson, played by Gerard Butler, lives across the street with his family. Over the years, he’s carefully watched and observed Jay’s talent. Jay’s also kept a close eye on Frosty.
Late one night when Frosty drives away with his surfboard, Jay stows away to see exactly what kind of surfing is available to the bold and adventurous.
Frosty meets up with three of his friends for a surfing excursion others only dream of. Jay watches in awe as the four men conquer waves thirty feet high. After he’s discovered, he pesters Frosty to teach him how to ride the big waves, called the mavericks.
Frosty’s wife Brenda, played by Abigail Spencer, sympathizes with Frosty and encourages Frosty to adopt Jay as a temporary son to teach him how to conquer the giants of the sea.
Frosty finally decides to instruct Jay, but only because he recognizes Jay will ride the big waves due to his sheer determination. Frosty doesn’t want to have a death on his conscience.
Jay excitedly accepts Frosty’s offer, but Frosty has a plan Jay wasn’t expecting. Frosty teaches him the four pillars of a solid human foundation: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
Slowly, Jay evolves into a fierce surfing warrior, ready to take on any challenge the ocean may throw at him.
“Chasing Mavericks” is a biographical film based on the journey of young surfer star Jay Moriarity who tragically passed away at 22 years of age.
The film featured fantastic character growth from the main characters, mostly from Jay and Frosty, but a significant amount of growth came from Jay’s mother Kristy, played b
y Elisabeth Shue. This added to the layers of the story.
The focus of the movie was more on the characters than the surfing. Surfing just happened to be the medium through which the characters evolved.
If you get seasick easily, don’t see this movie. There were some very cool shots with the thundering waves and the white foamy surf, and the fierce currents and crashing waves under the surface of the ocean showed the true power of water.
Unfortunately, “Chasing Mavericks” is an average movie that just happens. I didn’t come out of the theater disliking it, but it didn’t leave a mark on me.
Director Michael Apted brings a varied background to “Chasing Mavericks.” Much of his past includes documentaries, but he delivered action with “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” and “The World is Not Enough.” Unfortunately, his latest work does not measure up to his masterpiece “Amazing Grace.”
Co-director Curtis Hanson comes with different credentials, including “L.A. Confidential,” “8 Mile” and “In Her Shoes.” His real talent didn’t have the chance to shine with this movie.
Weston is a newcomer to the film industry. He’s only been acting for a little over a year, but in that time has started to build a resume of ten titles including “Sugar,” “John Dies at the End,” and “Under the Bed,” although none of those made a mark on the movie world. He does have potential, but needs the right script and story to more effectively show his skills.
As the most well known actor of the entire cast, Butler sure delivered. He was very believable as a normal guy. He did seem to put a lot of effort into his American accent. Many of his movies are quite enjoyable and popular, including “300,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “The Phantom of the Opera.”
Shue, still remembered as Jennifer McFly in “Back to the Future Parts II and III” but active in “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” gives a great dramatic performance as a single mother raising a determined child through many difficult decisions and circumstances.
Rambin is a fast rising actress with roles in “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and her most famous role as Glimmer in “The Hunger Games.” Her skills surpass her age, and she will be a force to be reckoned with in the future, as will be expected in next year’s “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.”
Composer Chad Fischer draws from his experience in “Private Practice,” “The Rocker” and “Garden State” to produce a soundtrack that develops with the characters, giving a unique perspective to his latest movie score.
The music had an overarching hometown feel, using guitars, electric guitars and a steady drum beat. During the scenes when the characters are out of the ocean there are large, sweeping scores. The hometown base slowly amps up as the plot progresses. In the climactic sequences, the music rises in intensity to equal the danger.
“Chasing Mavericks” is worth a viewing if you’re a surfer or are interested in the history of surfing, bu
t it’s not worth the money to see it in theaters.
– Spencer Palmer is a graduate student working toward an MBA with a recent bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. Email him at spencer.palmer@aggiemail.usu.edu or visit his website, themovieknight.wordpress.com.