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Point Break (1991)
Despite some minor holes in the screenplay, 1991's Point Break is a high-octane, testosterone-charged action thriller that rivets the viewer from opening to closing credits thanks to spectacular direction and charismatic performances from the stars.
Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) is a special agent for the FBI who has been sent to Los Angeles to aid veteran agent Angelo Pappas (Gary Busey) in taking down a group of bank robbers known as the ex-presidents, because they wear masks of Reagan, Nixon, Carter, ad Johnson as they enter the banks. Pappas has gathered evidence that points toward a group of local surfers, led by the enigmatic Bodhi (the late Patrick Swayze). Realizing he cannot infiltrate without learning to surf, Utah manages to persuade Tyler (Lori Petty) to give him lessons, but it's not long before Utah's cover is blown allowing Bodhi to lure him into a vvery elaborate set-up.
What can I say, I LOVED this freaking movie. Every time I thought W Peter Iliff's screenplay was leading me in a particular direction, it did a 180 taking the story in an entirely different direction. Initially, I thought it was going to be primarily about the bonding process between Utah and Pappas, but the story eventually turns out to be a cat and mouse between Utah and Bodhi where the mouse gets the upper hand. The Bodhi character had a couple of things going on...this guy not only was a criminal mastermind, but he was also just the slightest bit insane, Hans Gruber on a surfboard if you will. He's such an enigma it's even impossible to tell when he actually catches onto Utah and that's no accident. I did love the scene when his crew catches on and challenges Bodhi about what their next move should be...Bodhi's vague replay to their worries, which seemed to cast a spell over them, sent a chill down my back.
The real star of this film is actually director Kathryn Bigelow, who 17 years later would win twin Oscars for producing and directing The Hurt Locker. Bigelow really cut her teeth here, creating an action drama that moves smoothly on land, sea, and air. Loved the opening shots on the beach with Bodhi surfing, that set up a metaphoric love affair between
Bodhi and the surf. Watch the spectacular camerawork as Utah chases Bodhi through those narrow alleys and through people's houses. And the skill displayed as Bigelow puts us in the air as the criminals jump out of a plane, prefaced by a tension-filled encounter as a question is raised inside the plane as to whether or not Utah's parachute has been tampered with...absolutely spectacular.
Keanu Reeves proves, long before Speed, that he had what it took to be a viable action hero and Swayze proved that he was more than the swiveling hips of Johnny Castle. Petty made a refreshing leading lady and Busey stole every scene he was in. James LeGros, John McGinley, Lee Tergeson, Chris Pederson, and Anthony Keidis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers also make the most of their screentime, This film provides solid entertainment for action fans and documented Kathryn Bigelow as a director to watch. Remade in 2015.
Despite some minor holes in the screenplay, 1991's Point Break is a high-octane, testosterone-charged action thriller that rivets the viewer from opening to closing credits thanks to spectacular direction and charismatic performances from the stars.
Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) is a special agent for the FBI who has been sent to Los Angeles to aid veteran agent Angelo Pappas (Gary Busey) in taking down a group of bank robbers known as the ex-presidents, because they wear masks of Reagan, Nixon, Carter, ad Johnson as they enter the banks. Pappas has gathered evidence that points toward a group of local surfers, led by the enigmatic Bodhi (the late Patrick Swayze). Realizing he cannot infiltrate without learning to surf, Utah manages to persuade Tyler (Lori Petty) to give him lessons, but it's not long before Utah's cover is blown allowing Bodhi to lure him into a vvery elaborate set-up.
What can I say, I LOVED this freaking movie. Every time I thought W Peter Iliff's screenplay was leading me in a particular direction, it did a 180 taking the story in an entirely different direction. Initially, I thought it was going to be primarily about the bonding process between Utah and Pappas, but the story eventually turns out to be a cat and mouse between Utah and Bodhi where the mouse gets the upper hand. The Bodhi character had a couple of things going on...this guy not only was a criminal mastermind, but he was also just the slightest bit insane, Hans Gruber on a surfboard if you will. He's such an enigma it's even impossible to tell when he actually catches onto Utah and that's no accident. I did love the scene when his crew catches on and challenges Bodhi about what their next move should be...Bodhi's vague replay to their worries, which seemed to cast a spell over them, sent a chill down my back.
The real star of this film is actually director Kathryn Bigelow, who 17 years later would win twin Oscars for producing and directing The Hurt Locker. Bigelow really cut her teeth here, creating an action drama that moves smoothly on land, sea, and air. Loved the opening shots on the beach with Bodhi surfing, that set up a metaphoric love affair between
Bodhi and the surf. Watch the spectacular camerawork as Utah chases Bodhi through those narrow alleys and through people's houses. And the skill displayed as Bigelow puts us in the air as the criminals jump out of a plane, prefaced by a tension-filled encounter as a question is raised inside the plane as to whether or not Utah's parachute has been tampered with...absolutely spectacular.
Keanu Reeves proves, long before Speed, that he had what it took to be a viable action hero and Swayze proved that he was more than the swiveling hips of Johnny Castle. Petty made a refreshing leading lady and Busey stole every scene he was in. James LeGros, John McGinley, Lee Tergeson, Chris Pederson, and Anthony Keidis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers also make the most of their screentime, This film provides solid entertainment for action fans and documented Kathryn Bigelow as a director to watch. Remade in 2015.