Point Break – Film Review by Emily Elphinstone

Director: Ericson Core
Writers: Kurt Wimmer (screenplay), Rick King (story)
Stars: Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey, Ray Winstone

The concept of remaking previously successful films has always seemed a questionable one, but somehow every few years a new one is targeted. Now is the turn of Kathryn Bigelow’s 1991 action film Point Break, which starred Keanu Reaves as FBI agent Johnny Utah, who is sent undercover to infiltrate a gang of surfer dudes who rob banks to fund their lifestyle, and mess with ‘the system.’

Now in the new adaptation directed by Ericson Core a ‘bigger is better’ approach seems to have been adopted: Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey) is a former ‘poly-athlete’ who turns away from extreme sports after a (highly predictable) motocross accident kills his best friend. On his first case in the FBI, he discovers that the criminals responsible for a series of global heists are (conveniently) extreme athletes, and despite not yet having a badge, he convinces his superiors to let him go undercover in order to track them down. It quickly becomes clear that the gang are attempting to complete a series of ‘ordeals’ known as the ‘Ozaki Eight’, which honour the forces of nature by completing seemingly impossible feats, in order to achieve Nirvana. Funded by a rich playboy, they commit the crimes only to give back to the universe.

With extreme surfing, base jumping, sheer-face snowboarding, and wing-suit flying (strangely reminiscent of Ikea’s flying t-shirt advert), Point Break should be a thrill ride, especially with the impressive work by expert stuntmen. However, the awkward cuts between wide scenic shots of stunts, and close ups of the actors are jarring; and the sheer amount of added CGI make certain scenes feel more like a videogame, particularly if watching in 3D. With so much emphasis on action, there is little time for real characterization, which is instead shoe-horned in by the repeatedly disappointing script. Though Edgar Ramirez is wonderfully charismatic as gang leader Bodhi, he sadly gets stuck with some of the most disappointing clangers of dialogue; and the only female character Samsara (Teresa Palmer) is entirely two dimensional.

Though there are some exciting moments in the first half of the film, the decision to include every conceivable piece of action means that each element overpowers the next; and bizarre moments (such as the funeral pyre of a friend becoming the centerpiece for their benefactor’s next eurotrash party) which make the film increasingly implausible.  With eight ordeals specified, there should be an exciting build to a finale; but sadly in an action film which feels surprisingly long, you may just find yourself counting down until the end.