kurtisle It is a fun Hawaii film. Lots of home footage, lots of true to life ...interactions with locals and Hawaii itself. Good footage of the sea and the island. Though they don't show the traffic jams, long lines of JOJ Tourist whales at the Shave Ice Shack, who flock to see the famous North Shore and lay around on the sand smelling of Hawaiian Tropics cocoanut oil. My gripe is, the time frame. They make it look like you can become a pro class surfer in a few months. Folks, it taked years of hard surfing to become that good. No one learns it in a summer...The real surfers, "Soul Surfers" live and breathe salt water, on good and bad days. It HAS to be your life. There is no other way.

cwstrgzr I feel the writer Kleiser and Phelps should be ashamed of themselves. This movie, fun and enjoyable is a remake of Ride the Wild Surf of the 60s. They wont admit it though. Instead of 4 friends come to surf north shore, they combined the 4 into one. One of the boys falls in love, one is torn about going to school. Tab Hunter falls in love with the local girl who also does the hula for the crowd. Even the rain scene where they run for cover is the same as the scene with Fabian and Fabres but they run to a cabin. This is just an updated version. What is really pathetic is Kleiser and Phelps not realizing they have Brudda IZ in their movie. One of the most belove local talents from Hawaii and they disrespected him in the commentary by calling him "The Fat guy and the Big Guy". That was just wrong.

Peter Swanson North Shore is good mindless entertainment, but get real people, it is NOT a great film. Firstly, the very idea of there being an Arizona State Surfing Champion is hilarious. Secondly, his going to the north shore and even getting into a surfing contest is a major chuckle. His winning a heat is beyond-comprehension laugh-out-loud material. I do appreciate that we see early in the film that he REEally is not prepared for functioning in the actual ocean, as opposed to the Big Surf wave pool in Tempe. It's a good thing he acquired a mentor, or he would've died...and that's no hyperbole. The major enjoyment I get from this film is seeing truly excellent performances by a stack of genuinely legendary surfers, especially Gerry Lopez, deservedly known as Mister Pipeline, and one of history's great watermen. Gregory Harrison's beard came in handy, as it allowed us to watch Ken Bradshaw in his place in the water. I get a big laugh out of Laird Hamilton, who was clearly in a state of severe discomfort in front of the camera. Watching this after repeated viewings of Riding Giants is especially funny, because he is now completely at ease with being filmed and interviewed. I guess he put on poise and self-confidence along with those 30 or 40 pounds of muscle. Occy is a gas, the prototypical fun Aussie, and a natural performer. There's also a twinge of sadness at seeing the late, great Mark Foo in his prime. Even if you don't surf, you'll find this entertaining. I agree with the previous reviewers who opine that it has a lot more in common with Beach Blanket movies than reality, but it is fun to watch.

jrjoesullivan Wheter or not the film is a "b" movie or not this is a definite classic! Regardless of the absence of a blockbuster budget, there is much to be taken from this film. And yes it does portray some of the locals in an accurate light. (Some of the locals are very rude and extremely territorial over certain areas of Hawaii). All in all, the rite of passage made by the main character is very heartfelt. Although it may be a little cheesy and even dated, this film is A CULT CLASSIC! A must for surfers, especially 80's kids! Do not overlook this film's position in your DVD library. Even if you do not surf, there is a great love story and explorer's feel to the film. Enjoy it.