Step into Liquid [Blu-ray] [2003] [US Import]

Unlike the classic 'Summer' series, there is no attempt at a plot or travelogue in this movie. The overall theme is an attempt to find that which both connects surfers worldwide and defines them as individuals. From the Big Wave masters such as the Mavericks crew, and the god like Laird Hamilton, to the everyday Joes who catch waves wherever they can, even if that is on the wake of a supertanker.

Interspersed with the surfing footage are some great interviews with every famous name from surfing past and present, and some truly heartwarming tales of struggle against adversity, and the breaking down of barriers through surfing.

The problem is, however that although there is some genuinely jaw-dropping footage, notably on the Cortes Bank, a break 160 miles out in the pacific ocean where an underwater mountain throws up huge barreling waves, The overall quality of surfing on this film is mediocre at best. I expected more than footage of kids surfing for the first time or guys messing about surfing the great lakes. Unfortunately Dana Brown has inherited his Dad's hokey sense of humour and there are more than a few cheesy lines in the narration that will make you wince. There are also odd redubbing quirks that mean that in a crashing ocean of ten foot waves, all that is heard is the gentle splosh as a surfer dives off his board!

This is a valiant attempt to capture the soul of surfing but doesn't quite pull it off. There are still enough pretty pictures to make this a great movie to own, (you just might need that FF button though.)

The truly loaded extras disks are where this package truly wins out. Besides a full version of Kelly Slaters pro surfer for the PC, a great game in its own right, there are tons of extra and extended interviews which are probably more interesting than those in the film, video surflessons and tons of behind the scenes footage.

BUT BEWARE! This is a region one package, and whilst it is possible to play the main disk in and multi-region player, the Windows Media High Definition version included WILL NOT play due to copyright and distribution protection included in Media player 9. This is a real pain as you will be teased with the distributors logo before the thing locks you out and the quality is stunning! It also means that in order to access the other special features on the second disk you will have to go exploring and find other ways in.

I have searched to see if this is to be released in a package for our region, but it doesn't yet appear so. My advice would still be to buy this edition for the time being as the whole package is brilliant, and well worth owning despite some small quibbles.


"in harmony with the sea"   August 23, 2004
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Brilliantly directed, written, edited and narrated by Dana Brown, this documentary states in the beginning, "no special effects, no stunt men, no stereotypes", and is a fascinating look into the surfing world, as well as a visual delight, with stunning cinematography by Jean-Paul Beeghly. The surfers are followed around the world, from the very familiar coast (for me) of Southern California, to the numbing cold waters of Ireland, the tropical lushness of Costa Rica, the island paradise of Tahiti, and of course, Australia and Hawaii. There are also some unusual places we get to see: The beaches of Vietnam, the eerie beauty of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), and "deep in America's heartland", the lakeshore of Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
The final adventure takes place 100 miles off the coast of San Diego, at the Cortes Bank, with the sea a deep blue, and waves that are massive, one of them being measured at 66 ft.

There are numerous sound-bites from experienced surfers, from the best in the world like Laird John Hamilton and Kelly Slater, the female surfers who have their own unique style and are fantastic, as well as the very young, and the surprisingly mature, like Rabbit Kekai, who first started surfing in 1927, proving that surfing is an ageless sport.
The soundtrack by Richard Gibbs includes an eclectic mix of contemporary songs, one of them being the Beach Boy sound-alike "The Call of the Wave" by John Zambetti.

Dana Brown is the son of Bruce Brown, who is famous for the pioneering "Endless Summer" films. Dana has surfing in his blood, and "Step Into Liquid" is almost an equal to those wonderful films by his father.
You don't have to be a surfer to feel the magic of this documentary, and if like me you feel a connection with the sea, it will make you catch a dream wave, and smile.
Total running time is 87 minutes.
2nd Disc extras include interviews, and even a surfing lesson !