Point Break (2015)

The original Point Break starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze is probably one of my favourite action films and must surely be a classic in its genre. Released in 1991, director Kathryn Bigelow effortlessly created one of the most exciting films that included surfing, bank robbing and sky diving to thrilling effect in a pre-OTT CGI movie industry. It had everything, and the ever wild Gary Busey chomping at the scenery to top it all. Now, somehow someone decided to go and remake this classic for today's GoPro generation. Can they capture the bromance, the action, adrenaline rush and do justice to the original?

Well here we are in 2017 with said remake having been released in 2015 so you may already know the answer to this, but if you haven't then here is what you missed... Replacing Reeves we now have Hacksaw Ridge's Luke Bracey taking on the lead as Johnny Utah who goes in search of mysterious thieves who seem to seem to be the new Robin Hood. Meanwhile, the late Swayze is replaced with a stoic Edgar Ramirez as Bodhi who leads the gang of thieves.

Just like the original, Utah gradually makes his way undercover into the gang and experience life from the other side before ending on a similar conclusion. But maybe that's this film's problem is how it tries to recreate various plot points (including a laughable attempt to recreate Utah firing his gun into the air) and it rarely gels. However, I do admire the director's attempt to upgrade the extreme sports to fit today's Mountain Dew generation and there were quite a few exciting moments that offered something new from your standard action flick.

This included an entertaining snowboard ride down a mountain, the obligatory surfing and even a tense rock climb. But if I'm to find out what really is the problem here, it would have to fall with the screenplay and direction. Bracey and Ramirez give decent performances but choosing to make both characters withhold their emotions smacks of feeling rather wooden. What made the original work was Reeves' newbie approach to the surfing world and Swayze's charismatic performance. Unfortunately with the remake there's very little to distinguish the two performances, and the supporting cast aren't much better which takes the excitement away.

Point Break isn't a terrible film but it does sadly fall into that forgettable area. I did find some enjoyment but there just sadly isn't enough to say it's worth watching. The director's head was in the right place but he just didn't have all the pieces to rival the original.