Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
So-so surf docu sequel has more sexy content than original.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Endless Summer II
What's the Story?
Roughly 30 years after the first movie, THE ENDLESS SUMMER II director Bruce Brown and two new young men retrace the journey taken in Brown's iconic 1966 surfing documentary. They also explore some new places like Fiji, Costa Rica, and France. Surfing's changed a lot in the years between trips. Some places visited in 1964 have changed a lot, while others haven't changed at all. What hasn't changed is that as long as there are waves, devoted surfers like Pat and Wingnut will be determined to find them.
Is It Any Good?
Visually, this sequel's a lot more polished than the original, with more advanced photography and film techniques available as well as a bigger budget that allows an entire crew to join the adventure. But those advantages also mean that The Endless Summer II has lost a lot of the spontaneous and adventurous feel of director Bruce Brown's iconic 1966 surf documentary. There's also less focus on the friendship and camaraderie between the principal surfers. The underwater photography is especially gorgeous, and of course there are still plenty of waves. This time, almost all of them are much, much bigger, too, making the film a good choice for fans of the sport, but with limited appeal as a travel adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Endless Summer II compares to the first movie. If you've seen the original, which do you like better, and why? If you haven't seen the first one, would you like to now?
Pat and Wingnut are risk takers. Does the movie make that seem appealing? What consequences could have occurred? Do we get to see any?
Is it OK to show topless sunbathers in a movie that kids might watch? Why or why not? If it's no big deal in France, why do you think it's not as acceptable in the United States?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 3, 1994
- On DVD or streaming : September 30, 2003
- Cast : Patrick O'Connell , Robert Wingnut Weaver
- Director : Bruce Brown
- Studio : New Line Cinema
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 109 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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