Chasing Mavericks (2012)
Average Rating: 5/10
Reviews Counted: 63
Fresh: 21 | Rotten: 42
It's sweet, gentle, and affably modest, but Chasing Mavericks is ultimately pulled under by an unconvincing script and a puzzling lack of energy.
Average Rating: 4.9/10
Critic Reviews: 23
Fresh: 5 | Rotten: 18
It's sweet, gentle, and affably modest, but Chasing Mavericks is ultimately pulled under by an unconvincing script and a puzzling lack of energy.
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Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 14,757
My Rating
Movie Info
Chasing Mavericks is the inspirational true story of real life surfing phenom Jay Moriarity (played by newcomer Jonny Weston). When 15 year old Jay discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, is not only real, but exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson (played by Gerard Butler) to train him to survive it. As Jay and Frosty embark on their quest to accomplish the impossible, they form a unique friendship
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Cast
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Jonny Weston
Jay Moriarty -
Gerard Butler
Frosty Hesson -
Elisabeth Shue
Kristy Moriarity, Krist... -
Abigail Spencer
Brenda Hesson -
John Weston
Jay Moriarty -
Taylor Handley
Sonny -
Leven Rambin
Kim
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Chasing Mavericks Trailer & Photos
All Critics (63) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (42)
Floating atop the explosive breakers, like an overabundance of phytoplankton, is a roiling colony of clichés that stops at nothing to dominate the screenplay.
Top CriticIt's a perfect fortune cookie of a movie, full of bland life lessons for everybody; would that there were some drama or style in it somewhere along the way.
For Hanson and Apted, this is a rather inconsequential effort.
The heart-pounding surfing scenes are epic but the script can barely keep its head above the waves in the dramatized biopic Chasing Mavericks.
When every frayed plot device you've predicted makes its inevitable appearance, at least you'll have the majestic waves off the California coastline to comfort you.
Never really [delivers] the sun-in-your-face, salt-in-your-hair, sandy-cocky thrill of surfing or surf culture.
It's always odd walking away from an average film, realizing there are plenty of flaws, and still kind of liking it. That's the case with 'Chasing Mavericks.'
Almost redeemed by a thrilling final 15 minutes; at its best during watery action scenes while avoiding the trappings of a shallow, clichéd script.
Visually it captures the combination of grace and excitement in the water, but the film drowns amid a sea of coming-of-age cliches.
Ultra-poetic, mucho exciting, crazy-realistic surf legend.
For the real Mavericks, stick with Stacy Peralta's documentary Riding Giants.
Chasing Mavericks has an engaging story that is capably acted on land, and only gets more thrilling once it decides to get wet chasing mavericks.
Could be called the son of "Soul Surfer" as both movies appeal to the same audience.
An unhappy reminder of the creative wipeout Curtis Hanson's career has unexpectedly become.
Chasing Mavericks offers some spectacular cinematic imitation of the surfing experience, but fills that mold with paint-by-numbers plot beats and characters.
Bland and uninspiring, it narrowly avoids a wipeout.
...an almost epically unwatchable drama that stands as an obvious low point in the careers of both Apted and Hanson.
Inspiring story about teen surfer has some sad moments.
Like most amateur surfers, Hanson and Apted get off to a shaky start in Chasing Mavericks; but once they find their balance, they ride the incredible wave of Moriarity's uplifting tale with the sure footing of the seasoned pros they truly are.
A pretty good sports tale yet the human element is just barely there.
The inspirational part becomes a letdown in the finale (when the movie tells us, as gently as possible, about Moriarity's life after Mavericks), but Moriarity's good-natured determination shines through.
It might not be a complete wipeout, but it's far away from hanging ten in any sort of awesome way. (Full Content Review for Parents also available)
Chasing Mavericks is one of those easily digestible, quickly forgettable movies that neither offends nor inspires.
A coming-of-age story which should end with the young boy becoming a young man. Unfortunately, fate had other ideas. As the old saying goes, God writes lousy theater.
Audience Reviews for Chasing Mavericks
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
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- Frosty Hesson: What are you afraid of? You've got a chance to change everything. Take It. This is about more then just surfing. This is about choices you make in life. This is about finding that one thing that sets you free. You need to believe in yourself or none of this matters.
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- Brenda Hesson: There are all kinds of sons. Some are born to you, some just occur to you.
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- Jay Moriarty: Maybe the biggest wave in the world.
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- Jay Moriarty: Have you ever felt like you were meant for something more?
Discussion Forum
| Topic | Last Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| Chasing Maverics better than critics would indicate. | 2 months ago | 4 |
Latest News on Chasing Mavericks
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Foreign Titles
- Mavericks (DE)
- Chasing Mavericks (UK)
Great Film! If you want to watch a movie with a fresh point of view on the world and enjoy every minute of it, I highly recommend watching Chasing Mavericks. Chasing Mavericks is the type of movie that will make you feel alive.This movie was great. The filming of of the huge waves, surfers, and conditions was fantastic. I found it a beautiful story of people, the challenge of relationships, mixed with the thrill of surfing, and the athletic abilities required for the champions. The movie approaches the theme of love, family and freedom in a very natural way; something that we rarely see in any other movies of this decade. It's very inspirational and motivating, yet it's very real and natural, so you get inspired without being lectured. I highly recommend this movie to everyone who wants to reconnect with their emotions and thoughts.
The inspirational true story of real life surfing phenomenon Jay Moriarity. When 15 year old Jay discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, is not only real, but exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson to train him to survive it. As Jay and Frosty embark on their quest to accomplish the impossible, they form a unique friendship that transforms both their lives, and their quest to tame Mavericks becomes about far more than surfing.