Blue Crush (PG-13)

Tough yet tender surfer heroine story.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Universal Pictures
  • Directed By: John Stockwell
  • Cast: Michelle Rodriguez, Kate Bosworth, Sanoe Lake
  • Running Time: 105 minutes
  • Release Date: 08/16/2002
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 01/14/2003
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: language, drug references, and sexual situations

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has strong language and a lot of vulgarity for a PG-13. We see a mess in a toilet bowl and a used condom. Ann Marie is a poor guardian for her 14-year-old sister. She chases after her sister when she sneaks out to go to a raucous party and worries about her smoking and ditching school, but makes very little effort to set an example or impose limits. Parents of younger kids who want to see a movie about two sisters in Hawaii who go surfing should take them to see Lilo and Stitch,

Families can talk about the obstacles Ann Marie must overcome – not just the finding a way to support herself and doing all the training but overcoming her fears of failing and of succeeding. Some viewers may conclude that her attraction to Matt was in part a way to give herself an excuse not to do her best in the competition. Families might also want to talk about the way that the Hawaiian natives feel about the tourists (one tells a tourist to leave the beach he likes to surf, saying "We grew here; you flew here").

Message

Social Behavior:

Characters of different races and ethnicities, strong women

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Underage drinking and smoking, drug references

Violence

None Characters in peril

Sex

Sexual references and situations, some vulgarity

Language

Strong language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

Set in Hawaii, BLUE CRUSH centers on Ann Marie (Kate Bosworth), a cute tough-on-the-outside-but-vulnerable-on-the-inside surfer girl who has what it takes to be world-class if she can just (1) get over the fear she has had since almost drowning, (2) manage to train for her big chance while supporting herself and her younger sister, and (3) not get distracted by Prince Charming, a cute quarterback named Matt. Pals played by Michele Rodriguez and real-life surfer Sanoe Lake provide support.

Is it any good?

3
Blue Crush is one of those eye-of-the-tiger, Flashdance on a surfboard, will she believe in herself enough to follow her dream sagas with no special insight or freshness – it's a dreary attempt at story, acting, and dialogue. But oh, the visuals! Hawaii's glorious natural resources, including many very pretty girls in tiny bikinis, are lovingly photographed. The surfing scenes are breathtaking and the water is the most vivid and memorable character in the movie, but some may find the MTV-style camera tricks annoying.

The three actresses have a nice, easy camaraderie and it is easy to believe that they have lived together forever with a mixture of familial bickering and unquestioned loyalty and understanding. On the other hand, amidst the female empowerment there are some issues that make the characters less than ideal role models. Ann Marie accepts a lot of money ($1000 for "surfing lessons") and expensive gifts from the quarterback, and has sex with him after knowing him for a couple of days.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/17/07 by roxy_surf Kid contributor, age 12

awesome movie

This is a really great movie. I love surfing so i really liked it. I recommend this movie highly. If you like surfing its 4 you!
3


Posted on 01/17/07 by mulchi melissa Kid contributor, age 16
3


Posted on 07/05/06 by twigster Kid contributor, age 15

I saw this first when I was eleven...

and I was mildly disturbed (Penny's various issues and her older sister/guardian Anne Marie's lack of control over her), but in retrospect, this film is not disturbing. This is appropriate for mature children around age 11/12+, in my opinion. The only issue of commercialism that I recognize is Anne Marie's sponsorships by the surf company Blillabong. However, several of my friends are sponsored by various companies and this does not bother me personally in the least.
3


Posted on 10/08/03 by jumpinbini Adult contributor

This movie has a "You can achieve, if you just believe" (I know, corny)message to it. The main character has a handful of obstacles that she has to overcome throughout the movie in order for her to reach her goal, which is to become a professional surfer. She has real life responsibilities including taking care of her younger adolescent sister and paying the bills on time. A true story of struggle and determination. I highly recommend this movie to teens and older.

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

3


Posted on 10/08/03 by jumpinbini Adult contributor

This movie has a "You can achieve, if you just believe" (I know, corny)message to it. The main character has a handful of obstacles that she has to overcome throughout the movie in order for her to reach her goal, which is to become a professional surfer. She has real life responsibilities including taking care of her younger adolescent sister and paying the bills on time. A true story of struggle and determination. I highly recommend this movie to teens and older.

Kids Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/17/07 by roxy_surf Kid contributor, age 12

awesome movie

This is a really great movie. I love surfing so i really liked it. I recommend this movie highly. If you like surfing its 4 you!
3


Posted on 01/17/07 by mulchi melissa Kid contributor, age 16
3


Posted on 07/05/06 by twigster Kid contributor, age 15

I saw this first when I was eleven...

and I was mildly disturbed (Penny's various issues and her older sister/guardian Anne Marie's lack of control over her), but in retrospect, this film is not disturbing. This is appropriate for mature children around age 11/12+, in my opinion. The only issue of commercialism that I recognize is Anne Marie's sponsorships by the surf company Blillabong. However, several of my friends are sponsored by various companies and this does not bother me personally in the least.
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