Point Break

Plot

Johnny Utah, is a former pro footballer, now an FBI agent assigned to seasoned agent Pappas. They are part of the Bank Robbery Taskforce, investigating the ‘Ex Presidents’ who have been robbing banks. Pappas believes they are surfers, and Utah goes undercover to infiltrate a small close nit group led by the spiritual Bodhie. Could they be the ‘Ex Presidents’?

Direction

This was one of the best action films of the 1990’s – and there were some pretty big shoes to fill following this. From the bank robbery scenes, to amazing choreography of the surfing – to the skydiving scenes – the action goes from strength to strength.

Cast/Characters

Keanu Reeves as Johnny was his entrance to being an action movie star. While Speed would expel him to superstardom, it was really this that made Hollywood sit back and notice he could handle it. There are some moments that do show his acting ability is not up to par with his co-stars (the first fight between Pappas) – which is a shame.

The late great Patrick Swayze as Bodhi is the film’s MVP – who is one of the most likeable villains in cinema. His philosophical outlook on life is well written and makes Johnny a better person and cop because of it.

Gary Busey as Pappas is a scene stealer with every moment he is on screen.

John C McGinley appears in a small role as Utah and Pappas’ boss – and it’s clear why he got the Dr role a decade later.

Screenplay/Setting/Themes

There is quite a significantly spiritual screenplay – with Bodhie often giving quite philosophical dialogue. He gives such inspirational dialogue to Utah, when it is revealed that he is the leader of the Ex-Presidents – Utah is genuinely devastated. There is also the underlying theme of freedom – with Bodhie a guy who cannot be caged – and the final moments of the film delve into that.

LA being the city it is set in – is probably one of the few cities that could have held the storyline – especially that of surfing. There is a beautifully mesmerising score that plays during the surfing montages – and later in the film the free falls during the skydiving scenes.

Overall

I feel that this is the film that set the tone for the action film of the 1990s – especially as this was released in 1991.

From the action scenes, to the cast and crew itself – Reeves would go to star in such great films later in the 1990s (primarily Speed) – and later the John Wick series. It couldn’t have been done without the brilliant direction of Kathryn Bigelow – who would go on to be the first female to win a Best Director Academy Award.

4.5/5