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Parents' Guide to

Step Into Liquid

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

All about the sights, which are glorious.

Movie PG 2003 90 minutes
Step Into Liquid Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Alex M.
Alex M. Parent of 6 and 9-year-old
August 15, 2020
age 9+

Inspiring, beautiful, heartfelt stories about surfing

Surfers from around the world, from different backgrounds, ages and capabilities tell their stories about what surfing and being in the ocean means to them. Amazing cinematography and created by the son of the creator of "Endless Summer".

This title has:

Great messages
Jen B.
Jen B. Parent
November 15, 2019
age 11+
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Bruce Brown's film captures the heart of surfing and the people who love it. Brown shows us children just beginning to surf and those who have been surfing for 30 or 40 years, amateurs and world champions. Some surf in sun-drenched resort areas, on ocean waves that lap up against sparkling white beaches. But we also see the dedicated surfers of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, three American brothers in Ireland who bring Catholic and Protestant children together to learn to surf with them. We see the original Gidget and the women she inspired and we catch up with the surfers from the original The Endless Summer. We meet a paraplegic man who broke his neck in a surfing accident but is still happiest when he is surfing, and many other remarkable stories. Brown also captures big wave surfers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The classic 1966 documentary The Endless Summer by Bruce Brown introduced audiences around the world to the glories of surfing and made the search for the perfect wave thrilling and epic. Brown's son Dana created STEP INTO LIQUID, another movie about surfing and also a stirring tribute to waves, sun, and the people who believe that they best honor nature and the farthest potential of the human spirit by riding on the waves.

You may believe that, too, as you see the heart-stoppingly magnificent swells on the most beautiful beaches of the world and the intrepid and deeply devoted people who surf them. The stories are striking, but this movie is all about the sights, and they are, simply, glorious. The cameras take us inside the pipe waves so that we can almost smell the saltwater. It is a very sweet ride.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the way that a common passion unites all of the very different people in the movie. What do you think about the idea that the best surfer in the world is the one who is having the most fun? Is there another sport (or any other activity) where attitude and a sense of humor is considered more important than talent and achievement?

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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