Point Break

UK Release Date: 22 November 1991

Certification: 15

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Cast: Gary Busey, John C. McGinley, Lori Petty, Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze

Rating: 84% 

The movie that kickstarted Keanu Reeves' action career.

Review:

Point Break is one of the countless great 90's action movies where undercover FBI agent (Johnny Utah played by Keanu Reeves) has to track down a group of surfers who are believed to have been robbing banks. Kathryn Bigelow creates an original story that spends it's opening 45 minutes putting all of it's pieces in play, setting up an intriguing story, warranting the chaos that ensues. 

Reeves' and Swayze's relationship is pivotal to the movie's success - they're almost like brothers, creating a strong bromance as the movie progresses. The relentless pressure of Johnny Utah's heroism collides with the charismatic spiritual philosophy of Swayze's Bohdi. The late Patrick Swayze throws everything at the role making surfer, bank robber and gang leader extremely believable. Whilst Reeves' acting isn't great, feeling very camp at times, it's fun to see the two play cat and mouse. Both actors also learned how to surf for Point Break hoping to make it feel more realistic with Patrick Swayze also refusing a stunt double an approach that Keanu Reeves has also taken up in his recent ventures in the John Wick series. However, I did particularly enjoy Gary Busey's portrayal of Pappas. He's a brilliant mentor towards Johnny Utah whilst still getting his own cool moments throughout the movie. 

Made 30 years ago I thought all the action scenes in Point Break held up amazingly well. Every scene is shot superbly providing either a sense of urgency or uneasiness. Both skydiving scenes are exhilarating leaving me on the edge of my seat, the FBI raid is entertaining throwing us into the action for the first time and the foot chase is just extraordinary. It was shot with what Kathryn Bigelow dubbed as a "pogo-cam" which allowed the cameraman to shoot both in front and behind him, creating the frantic feeling that is seen in the movie. It's become so iconic that it was referenced in Edgar Wright's Hot Fuzz. 

The mystery aspect of Point Break compliments the action terrifically. Whilst it is brief Pappas and Utah's search for the 'Ex-Presidents' is extremely entertaining and unique. Watching the pair scout out surfers on the beach, trying to blend in and in general just cause pandemonium. 

I based my perception of Point Break on Die Hard as both are classic action movies released around about the same time. I rate the latter slightly higher but I thoroughly enjoyed Point Break and will be equally excited when I watch it again.