Point Break has always been a movie that I could watch and each time enjoy it. Visually it seems to differ from most movies of it's time. The action scenes were very close to the action by being shot many times in first person view. It hightens the action secquence even more especially when there is the foot chase scene between Utah and Bodhi. As I watched the scene i tried to visually look at it without the first person view and it would have completely ruined the scene, you would have been bored while watching. The skydiving scenes were amazing. Movie-goers never saw scenes like that at the time either which gives this movie extra appeal. You were in with the action like you see in films today which was about fifteen years ago; that is pretty impressive. If you think about these shots you can easily be drawn in at how difficult it had to be to capture that footage. To do those shots you had to have multiple cameras to get all the different angles and technically had to be very difficult.
It is interesting how you really do not dislike the so called "bad guys" like you usually see in movies like this. I think because they have this philosophy of life that may appeal to many and you get a glimpse into their lives to see what they are really all about. You see when they rob banks how well planned out it is so that people do not get hurt but use a forceful but polite way during the robbery. Even though they are doing illegal acts you cannot go against their motives and reasoning behind going against a system they do not believe in. These characters rationalize their crimes enough to make them extremely likable characters.
The philosophy that surfing is a way of life and the intense connection the characters have with the sea is prevelent. Like the underwater shot of Utah and Tyler is a visual shot that reminds of this connection between not only the character, but with the ocean as well. The boy at the begining that sold the surf board clearly states this idea by saying to "stick with it, it will change your life". I saw that surfing helped Utah grow by the end of the movie. It helps him become more centered into himself. At the end we see that he still surfs everyday. You also notice the apperance of the two friends. Bodhi cut the long hair off shaved and looked more grownup. We realize that the events that had taken place previously had changed his fantasy game he played. He had changed after the death of all of his friends, and seems to take silent responsibility for his actions in his changed appearance. Utah had let his hair grow out and had more of a rough and free look after his experiences with the friends he had came to have while on assignment. The end of the movie sticks with the viewer when you realize that Bodhi, who was suppose to be bad, actually was the most help in forming and showing Utah ways in helping him become better.
http://www.cinematical.com/2007/05/14/peter-iliff-says-hes-writing-point-break-2/
http://www.religionandnature.com/bron/arts/Taylor--Surfing.pdf
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4 comments:
I agree with you on the action scenes. The first person perspective pulled me in. I felt like I was involved in the action rather than just a spectator.
I completely agree with you that I didn't dislike the "bad guys" at all in this film. That Ebert review had been absolutely correct when he said that these are men of thought using their actions to display what they believe in. I had been surprised since I immediately thought that I was going to dislike this action film. I had been dead wrong. I also love your insight about the surfing in the film. Surfing really does present a connection between the lives of the characters and the ocean. I've never really seen surfing for more than it is but after viewing the film it's definitely apparent that there is more to it than a cruise on the water. Great blog!
This style of making the "bad guy" appealing is such a great technique in movies. It always makes me think of a movie like the Godfather where these people are clearly commiting terrible deeds and yet you still root for them. I feel that when a movie can make you see the grey in life that movie is a good one.
I too thought that even though the characters were doing illegal activity I couldn't help like them and also side with them at times. It's also funny how Bodhi in the end had so much influence over Utah's character and views.
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