Parents' Guide to

Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Tsunami sequel fun, but doesn't make waves.

Movie G 2007 90 minutes
Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

In this sequel, 17-year-old Johnny (Brandon Baker) heads to his native Hawaii for his surfing legend grandfather's wedding, and to reunite with best buddy Sam (Lil' J), who now lives in the islands. As a favor to his grandpa (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagama), Johnny keeps an eye on rebellious Chris (Jake T. Austin), the 12-year old son of grandpa's fiance. But Chris wants nothing to do with anyone in his new family, so Johnny takes up Chris' extreme sport -- dirt mountain boarding. But Johnny's camaraderie with the dirt boarding gang -- especially cute blonde Val (Rose McIver), whom Chris adores -- drives the troubled tween to take drastic measures to prove himself, and Johnny must find a way to reach out to him before his actions hurt someone else.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2):

Back on Board lacks some of the spark that made its predecessor such a fan favorite. But it still blends a decent script with strong performances and positive messages about being true to yourself and thoughtful about your choice in friends. Top that off with thrilling scenes of the latest extreme sport, and families will likely find a lot to like.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the media influences people's taste in hobbies and entertainment. Tweens: Had you ever heard of dirt mountain boarding before this movie? What do you think of it? After seeing it, would you want to try it out? What other activities have you wanted to try because you saw them in TV shows or movies? Families can also discuss peer pressure. Have you ever felt negative pressure from a friend? How did you handle it? Do you think this movie's scenario is plausible, or did the characters' problems get solved too easily?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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