Point Break (2015): Movie Review
I am a huge fan of the 1991 Kathryn Bigelow directed “Point Break”, which starred Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, and Gary Busy. Needless to say, I wasn’t too keen on getting a remake. The original is so great and so much fun and honestly, not that old (at least not to me). A remake was just not needed. However, much like last year’s “unwanted” remake of “Robocop”, the 2015 version of “Point Break” succeeds as a solid action flick that actually delivers thrilling sequences that I have never seen before. Those sequences also take full advantage of 3D. Is the new “Point Break” better than the original? Nope, not even close. The big issue here is the poor casting of Édgar Ramírez as Bodhi. He is a total bore and is unable to deliver the fun energy that Swayze brought to the role. Luke Bracey is serviceable as Johnny Utah, but I can’t really say that he is any better or worse than Keanu Reeves.
The film opens with Johnny Utah (Bracey) and his friend Jeff (Bates Motel’s Max Thieriot) shooting some very impressive motorcycle on mountaintop footage as a promotion for an energy drink. Due to an unfortunate accident, Jeff plummets to his death. Several years later, Johnny has given up extreme sports and has now joined the F.B.I. Yes, we must suspend disbelief to buy that this guy will actually become an F.B.I. agent. Just as Johnny is trying to earn a permanent spot in the bureau, a group of masked bandits have been masterminding various heists around the world. The fact that Johnny lived in the world of extreme sports, he believes that the ones committing the crimes live in that world too. Johnny’s superior (Delroy Lindo) buys his theory and sends him off to track down these criminals.
It doesn’t take long for Johnny to find exactly who he is looking for, and shortly after, he is brought into Bodhi’s crew. From this point out, we are treated to some spectacular action sequences. A personal favorite would be the base jumping where they fly over the jungle. It is quite thrilling. “Point Break” takes great advantage of the shooting locations, which include Berlin, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Venezuela, French Polynesia, India and the United States. The rest of “Point Break” follows the same marks as the original, so there are very few surprises here. We even get the famous shooting the gun into the air instead of at Bodhi moment. Of course it’s nowhere near as fan.
The new “Point Break” is entertaining enough to stand on its own, though it will never have the following the original has. A major mistake on the part of the studio is releasing it in theaters up against so many other huge films this holiday season. They should have waited till January or February. For those who are looking for some solid non-“Star Wars” action, “Point Break” might be for you.
By: Marc Ferman