Jay Moriarity was a surf legend who lived a short life where he dared to push himself and he respected everyone.  CHASING MAVERICKS is a chronicle of the beginnings leading to him surfing his first big waves aka Mavericks.  The movie starts with a scene that didn’t even happen in Jay’s life at the age of eight, but the filmmakers created it to add drama and connection between Jay (Jonny Weston who plays the 15 year old Jay) and his surfing mentor Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler).   Jay had to grow up quick as his mother was very unhappy and his father disappeared with only a letter to Jay that he fears to open.  Jay has developed into one of the most talented surfers that he asks Frosty to train him to survive riding the big Mavericks after he sees Frosty surf the mythical waves (that people didn’t believe exist up to that point in the mid 1990s).   A   bond of friendship builds between the two of them, but also jay looks up to Frosty like a father.

CHASING MAVERICKS is the work of two directors in telling this true story.  Michael Apted took over after Curtis Hanson became ill to get the film completed.  CHASING MAVERICKS captures some incredible wave footage in addition to portraying a touching story about a teen who pursues his dreams while finding a father figure (Frosty) who thinks he isn’t good enough to be a father (even to his own kids). Also the film captures a glimpse into the surf culture of Santa Cruz while being a moving coming of age story.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Audio commentary by director Michael Apted and producers/ writers Brandon Hopper and Jim Meenghan

The five deleted scenes were cut for pacing and story clarity purposes.

Fetaurettes:

SURF CITY- a featurette on the city of Santa Cruz, and the city’s surf culture and history

SHOOTING WAVES-  The techniques the team used to shot surf stunt doubles with the second unit and using blue screen to replace the heads for close ups

LIVE LIKE JAY- the people who knew him and the cast/crew talk about the real life Jay Moriarity

SURFER ZEN- a look at why surfers feel calm and sometimes spiritual when they surf the waves.

Rounding out the extras are the theatrical trailer, sneak peeks of a couple other Fox titles, and a digital copy of the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  CHASING MAVERICKS is a moving coming-of age story that manages to pull out some great performances from Gerard Butler and newcomer Jonny Weston in addition to showing the awe inspiring power of nature through some incredible big wave shooting footage.  The audio commentary is a must listen if you want to hear about the five year struggle to get this movie made.

This review is (c)3-2-2013 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com