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An exhilarating adrenaline wave. Kathryn Bigelow’s crime thriller Point Break (1991) remains classic camp fun with surprisingly artistic direction from Bigelow. Her direction is riveting and fast paced, making a 2 hour long movie feel like one. Point Break is basically Bad Boys, but with surfers and bank robbers. Bigelow captures the earnest soul of the surfers trying to catch a big wave, while also demonstrating how dangerous it is to be an adrenaline junkie. W. Peter Iliff’s script is full of hilarious 90’s jokes and neat twists. His pithy writing makes Point Break consistent fun and not so dated. Kathryn Bigelow juggles a genuine romance drama in the middle of an action feature. Kathryn Bigelow is honestly a more refined director than James Cameron or Michael Bay could ever hope to be. Her action is focused and streamlined into intense long take and beautiful shots of surfing. The skydiving sequence is so breathtaking that neither Cameron or Bay could have directed it as strikingly as Bigelow. Donald Peterson’s cinematography during all the surfing sequences as well as capturing the island aerial shots is sublime. Bigelow is actually underrated as an excellent director of skill. Keanu Reeves is entertaining and likable as FBI Special Agent Johnny Utah, who must go undercover as a surfer. His acting can be terrible, but Reeves delivers some intense moments very convincingly. When he is trying to get a surf instructor to like him, he gives a wonderful monologue wherein he fakes his parents dying in a car accident for an effective speech. His last conversation with the movie’s villain is compelling as well. Reeves knows when to go full camp like when he screams while shooting his gun into the air out of frustration. Meanwhile, Reeves kills it as the love interest with seriously romantic scenes of gentle love and sweet chemistry. Lori Petty is wonderful as Reeves’ love interest Tyler Ann Endicott. She is a cool surfer girl with a pixie cut and a sensitive side. Petty is absolutely gorgeous in Point Break. She looks like a young Demi Moore here. I think she had nice chemistry with Reeves, while maintaining that very independent teen angst so popular in the 1990’s. She’s a fantastic character and very fun to watch surf. Patrick Swayze seriously commands the scene with his undeniable presence as the surfer Bodhi. He brings a real gravitas to the screen with his natural athleticism and outrageous adrenaline junkie stunts. The surfing and skydiving scenes are unmissable. I think he makes for a fascinating and sympathetic villain of sorts. Swayze plays up the homoeroticism of Point Break, making Point Break nearly as ridiculous as Top Gun in its depiction of male friendship and bonding. Gary Busey delivers an awesome supporting actor role as Reeves’ hardened partner FBI Agent Angelo Pappas. His silly attitude and insane line delivery is iconic Busey stuff. I found him riveting and actually sad at the end. I like all the cameo roles in Point Break. John C. McGinley was born to yell and insult people with petty commentary. James Le Gros is great as Roach. Anthony Kiedis of The Red Hot Chili Peppers is funny and cool as Tone. Tom Sizemore appears as a cop named Deets. John Apicella also has a great moment as a bank security guard. I could have sworn he was James Gandolfini while watching Point Break. In all, Point Break is silly and odd at times, but it never stops being entertaining. Mark Isham’s score is exciting and often beautiful, especially for all the pretty wave shots. Well directed by Kathryn Bigelow and captivating in its hyper performances, Point Break is still worth a watch.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Works great
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Good and fast A++++
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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