Is it wrong to have a guilty pleasure film? To enjoy something you shouldn't? To watch a piece of garbage and seek solace and pleasure in it?
To use the famous quote: "Frankly ... I don't give a damn." If you find a film you enjoy, there is no need to be ashamed of it, because there is quality even in the worst of movies.
It isn't a stretch to say that "Point Break" isn't an excellent film by any stretch of the imagination. Just take the premise: an FBI agent, Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves), learns to surf to track down a group of bank robbers he believes are surfers also. The leader of the surfers is Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), a devoted naturist and overall chill guy. There you go, basic premise that leads to a fun journey around Los Angeles, Mexico and Australia.
It is not the most logical or even relatable of plots. The dialogue is stiff, with the most unbelievable line delivery by Reeves. How are we supposed to believe he had never surfed before in his life when he talks like a surfer? You just have to suspend your disbelief and go along with the ride.
Sometimes, that's all you can do to enjoy a film, especially during the summer blockbuster season. It's an escape film at the core, giving the frigid winter of Indiana a glimpse of sunny surfside California.
Why would I pick this popcorn flick to watch randomly? The main reason: Kathryn Bigelow. For those who don't remember, my favorite film of 2009 is "The Hurt Locker" directed by Bigelow. She has garnered numerous awards for directing, including the Director's Guild of America Best Director, and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Director. "Point Break" happens to be one of her first big films, back in the early '90s.
The funny thing is that the executive producer on "Point Break" was none other than James Cameron, director of the 2009 hit "Avatar." Both directors used to be married, but now they are exes. Flash forward to yesterday, and you get the ultimate showdown between Bigelow and Cameron for Best Director at the Oscars, just to illustrate how twisted the movie business can be.
Enough sidetracking though; "Point Break" also makes another cameo in pop culture. A few years ago, the film "Hot Fuzz" used it as reference for how to be a cop. Nick Frost's character in that film adores only two movies: "Bad Boys II" and "Point Break." He immortalizes the scene in which Keanu fires his gun straight up in the air out of anguish for losing a criminal. I thought seeing this part might have spoiled me, but I was wrong.
Keanu Reeves was born to play Johnny Utah (probably the cheesiest of character names). He gets to surf, run around and play football. He doesn't have to rack his brain over what it means to be human or put a busload of people's lives in his hands. The funny thing is that he doesn't look like the most gifted of runners.
The amazing foot chase sequence is filmed well, but Reeves's running ability almost makes it laughable. He seems to limp his way through a sprint. Luckily, Bigelow's camera prowess saves the day, so we don't have to focus on him.
The camera style in the film is old school to say the least. The entire film could be an '80s episode of "Miami Vice," with the vibrant colors and slow-motion surfing. However, the action puts you back in the '90s. The bank robbery scenes are impeccable and well executed. Whoever thought of using ex-president masks for robbing banks is absolutely fantastic. Bank robberies aren't the only thing — bring on skydiving. The most extreme of activities always gets better with guns and no parachutes.
If all of that isn't enough to lure you, you are just a killjoy. "Point Break" is an adrenaline rush, with plenty of testosterone. And if that isn't your cup of tea, go out and find a film for the weekend because there are so many great ones.
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