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Critics Consensus: It's sweet, gentle, and affably modest, but Chasing Mavericks is ultimately pulled under by an unconvincing script and a puzzling lack of energy.
Critic Consensus: 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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All Critics (81) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (26) | Rotten (55)
Floating atop the explosive breakers, like an overabundance of phytoplankton, is a roiling colony of clichés that stops at nothing to dominate the screenplay.
It'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.
Riding 30-foot waves is testing your luck, regardless of your skill level. But watching the skillful manipulate the swells and currents is awe-inspiring. Chasing Mavericks is a beautiful picture about dedication in all aspects of life.
This gentle father-son(ish) tale about an expert surfer and his teen apprentice is a rare 'family' movie that isn't preachy or insipid.
Moribund.
While the religious undertones are largely drowned out by the endless spumy slo-mo and board porn, there's only one way this current is flowing: towards church.
Despite a number of exhilarating surfing sequences, the interesting true story of surf legend Jay Moriarty is transformed into another dull Hollywood biopic.
It's a relatively hackneyed drama, unable to turn the real-life story of young surfer Jay Moriarity (Johnny Weston) into a silver screen sizzler.
A fun movie about a real-life teenager who overcame everything in his path to achieve his dream of being a surfer. Very inspiring movie about finding your path in life, and sticking to your goals. The script is somewhat your typical average sports movie that is won over by good acting, and breathtaking views of the California beaches, and unbelievably beautiful waves...
Super Reviewer
Depressing, boring, and far too small for what it is, "Chasing Mavericks" does not try hard enough casting or in it's dialogue. The lead star does not seem to have the characteristics for the characters he is portraying and his acting does not blend well alongside Gerard Butler, who delivers a fine performance as always. Besides a few motivational speeches by Gerard Butler, the film focusses on all the saddest moments of this true story making for a very overlong and shallow movie with no real conclusion to the film. If the biggest event is shown in the credits through text, why not just add that to the film, because seeing as depressing as the film was, it probably would have been a better ending. I have to say that I do not like this movie, because it just tries way to hard in all the wrong ways. "Chasing Mavericks" is a fine film for a specific type of audience and that is about it.
Legends Start Somewhere. 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.
"Chasing Mavericks" is the true story of surfing prodigy Jay Moriarity(Jonny Weston). It focuses on his relationship with Frosty(Gerard Burler) who takes him under his wing to train him to survive "Mavericks". "Mavericks" are basically giant waves that are talked about but rarely seen. I don't know why but I usually really like surfing movies. I've never surfed, am too out of shape to ever do it, but the movies always seem to work for me. "Chasing Mavericks" is no different. It's a little on the melodramatic side sometimes, but overall it's executed very well, and the performances are all pretty good. This is Weston's first role, and he is a little wooden, but overall he does enough to make the role his and believable. Good for a watch if your in the mood for a sports like drama.
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