Point Break (2015) Parent Guide

Do you remember those old Hollywood musicals, such as Singin’ in the Rain or The Band Wagon, that featured a storyline akin to a clothesline upon which were pinned various production numbers where dancers like Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire or Cyd Charisse would strut their stuff? If so, then you will know what to expect from Point Break, which is really just an excuse to string together numerous scenes of well-choreographed sports action.

For what it is worth, the plot involves a group of extreme athletes attempting to complete the Osaki 8 – a fictional series of challenges that honor the forces of nature. Part of this Nirvana-attaining pursuit requires the participants to give back to Mother Earth more than they take. This aspect of the quest has inspired Bodhi (Édgar Ramírez), Grommet (Matias Varela), Roach (Clemens Schickand), and their accomplice Samsara (Teresa Palmer) to mastermind some daring, Robin-Hood-style heists. Luckily for the FBI, these would-be crusaders begin their crime spree at the same time as Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey) is in training with the government agency. A former motocross star who changed his career path after the accidental death of a close friend, Utah has the right skill set to help the elite operatives catch the culprits.

That thread sets up the perfect scenario: The contest requires eight different tasks so high-speed motocross, wingsuit flying, surfing, free rock climbing, snowboarding and street fighting can all be showcased. These daredevil feats are to be performed on different continents—hence the film globetrots through Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Venezuela, French Polynesia, India and the United States. The perpetrators supposedly have environmental motives that should solicit sympathy from the audience, while having the main character be an undercover cop ought to mollify the movie’s unabashed glamorization of illegal activities. And, just in case that’s not enough eye candy, there are plenty of shots of half-dressed, muscular men and bikini-clad, sensual women.

Sadly, not much of that formula worked for me. Sure, the stunts are amazing—and so they should be because they are carefully crafted and edited sequences preformed by professionals – not footage of real sports events. The scenery is majestic, but the rationale for the characters’ reckless “eco-warriors” behavior is ridiculous. (What possible ecological advantage could there be for blowing up a mountainside and causing an avalanche? And how would showering a poor, foreign nation with American cash do anything besides incite a riot and flood their floundering economy?) Meanwhile the Intelligence Bureau appears rather stupid for handing out badges to rule-bending, emotionally fragile individuals, ignoring the cost of human life and authorizing foolish uses of tax dollars. And really! Where did these athletic hippies manage to find a fabulously wealthy patron (Nikolai Kinski) to sponsor their adventures, plus host big parties full of drinking, drugs and invitations for sex?

This is a remake of the 1991 movie with the same title (starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves). In both the old and new versions, peril is the prevailing portrayal. The 2015 incarnation depicts life-threatening exploits that often do end in death. Other violence includes fistfights, gun battles, car and motorcycle chases, stealing and property damage. Bloody injuries and corpses are shown. The movie also contains a smattering of profanities, one use of a sexual expletive and several crude finger gestures, smoking of cigarettes and marijuana, implied sex (a man and woman are shown kissing, fondling and undressing each other), and an unexplained attraction between Utah and gang leader Bodhi.

According to the script, the title Point Break refers to that moment when fear takes over a person’s will. Personally, I fear few viewers will even break a sweat during the controlled action scenes presented here, or see any point in the contrived justifications of these self-aggrandizing characters.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.