Find the best for your family
See what's streaming, limit strong violence or language, and find picks your kids will love with Common Sense Media Plus.
Blue Crush
Common Sense says
- PG-13
- 2002
- 105 minutes
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
We think this movie stands out for:
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Blue Crush is a 2002 movie about a young woman in Hawaii determined to be a champion surfer. The lead character, Anne Marie, shows determination and perseverance to overcome the naysayers who don't think she can compete in what has historically been a male-dominated sport. She is also trying to raise her tween little sister, who is now frequently getting into trouble, going to parties, drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana. Main characters have sex. Some gross-out scenes occur: While working as a maid in a hotel, one of the lead characters steps on a used condom that gets stuck to her shoe. Vomit and excrement are shown in a trashed hotel room. There's some profanity: "s--t," "a--hole," "pissed," "bitch," "hell," "nut hugger," and "p--n." There's also some violence and peril: The memory of Anne Marie wiping out and injuring her head by smashing into a coral reef is shown several times throughout the movie.
Wondering if Blue Crush is OK for your kid?
Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. Join now
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Teens Approved
Cliche Morals, But Amazing Movie!
Okay for teens
What's the story?
Set in Hawaii, BLUE CRUSH centers on Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth), a 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 offers no special insight or freshness. 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's easy to believe that they have lived together forever with a mixture of familial bickering and unquestioned loyalty and understanding. On the other hand, amid the female empowerment, there are some issues that make the characters less than ideal role models. Anne Marie accepts a lot of money ($1,000 for "surfing lessons") and expensive gifts from the quarterback, and has sex with him after knowing him for a couple of days. Still, teen surfing fans will enjoy the ride.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the obstacles Anne Marie must overcome – not just finding a way to support herself and doing all the training, but also overcoming her fears of failing and of succeeding.
How does the movie show the reality of a young woman trying to make a living while raising her rebellious tween sister?
This movie was based on a magazine article called "Surf Girls of Maui." What do you think would be the challenges in taking a magazine article about the life of a group of female surfers in Hawaii and turning that into a movie?
Movie details
- In theaters: August 16, 2002
- On DVD or streaming: January 14, 2003
- Cast: Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanoe Lake
- Director: John Stockwell
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- Run time: 105 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: language, drug references, and sexual situations
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
For kids who love sports
Our editors recommend
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.