 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Blue Crush
- Review Date: May 18, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Tough yet tender surfer heroine story.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What 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,
What's the story?
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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").
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AGE
Okay for teens
Very Underated. The person at the movie store I went to suggested this to be a good 'family movie', and because the back of the dvd anounced PG, I decieded to watch it. I regret that. It wasn't overly bad, it was an okay movie, but I seriously want to know if the people giving an age rating to the movie fell asleep half way through to give it PG.
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AGE
Teens Approved
The main role model in this story is a young adult, surfergirl, dropout who is struggling to raise her kid sister and instill values that she isn't exactly living out. Through this story the girls mature and grow together, building a positive relationships and overcoming fears.
Questionable moments in this flick: The young sister does make some poor decisions and is found smoking and drinking and partying. The older sister and friends are housecleaning and find condums in one of the hotel rooms and quit their jobs over the issue.
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AGE
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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AGE
Cliche Morals, But Amazing Movie!
Blue Crush is a very good movie. Sure, we all know this storyline has been reused in many different films (minus the surfing), but in this flick all of the sappy, where-have-I-seen-this-one-beforeness has been drained out. Despite the fact that the main character works as a maid in a hotel and finds a condom on the floor, finds her sister out partying with people twice her age, and is showed just about to have sex almost three times (with the same guy though, not any hookups), it is a good movie and all of the things above aren't played out very dramatically. I think Anne Marie could be descibed as a hero in some circumstances, and she even inspired me to give surfing a try!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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!
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | John Stockwell |
| Cast: | Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanoe Lake |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 105 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 16, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | January 14, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language, drug references, and sexual situations |
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