Parents' Guide to

Waiting for Lightning

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Routine docu about skateboard champ Danny Way.

Movie PG-13 2012 96 minutes
Waiting for Lightning Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 11+

Based on 1 parent review

Nick's Momma
Nick's Momma Parent of 9-year-old
December 10, 2012
age 11+

Thrill Ride

My 10 year old and I watched this On Demand actually from Comcast and thought it was great. We have never heard of Danny and so it was a very entertaining story for us about a boy determined to reach his dreams and push himself to explore new challenges. He certainly did not have an easy childhood but I do not think it is anything that a child 11 or older could't watch. It isn't graphic. But it does unfortunately shed light on some less than stellar moments.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much consumerism
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

During the days leading up to his monumental skateboard jump over the Great Wall of China in 2005, WAITING FOR LIGHTNING tells the story of skateboarder Danny Way. Born in Vista, Calif., Way's childhood was plagued by the death of his father, the departure of his beloved stepfather, his mother's series of violent boyfriends, his brother's serious injury, and other troubles. He found escape and success through skateboarding, inventing more and more elaborate stunts and building bigger and bigger ramps. It all leads up to the huge, potentially record-breaking, potentially deadly Great Wall jump. Will he make it?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

Rosenberg's filmmaking is as pedestrian as it comes. He slickly combines dramatic music, heavily edited talking heads, photos, silly dramatic re-creations, and some "cool"-looking skateboard footage. The construction is more like a TV reality show than a work of journalism or personal exploration; it's meant to keep you tuned in without actually revealing anything. The presence of skaters Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen only serves as a reminder of how good a documentary like Bones Brigade is by comparison.

"I cannot even imagine what was going through his mind," one interviewee says. Neither can anyone else, because WAITING FOR LIGHTNING director Jacob Rosenberg never really interviews Danny Way in person. The other interviewees speak breathlessly about his bravery and skills but rarely about his humanity. As a result, Way comes across like a cipher -- slightly aloof and distant, slightly reckless and stubborn, and not much like the role model he's painted to be.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Waiting for Lightning's violent crashes and accidents. What makes skateboarders push themselves so hard in such a dangerous sport?

  • Did the movie inspire you to do push yourself toward a specific goal? Is that goal related to skating or some other activity or sport? Can this attitude be applied to other things in life?

  • Does Danny Way seem like a role model for kids or teens?

Movie Details

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