Remaking a film, especially one with such cult status, is a risky move unless you are going to completely turn the universe in which the film is set on its head, bring something new and jaw dropping to the table or replace the original stars with superior actors.
This remake of 1991's Point Break doesn't really do any of those things aside from give Bodhi and co. a 'higher purpose' and bring it technologically into the 21st century, so I can't help but wonder if the only reason they retained the name and general premise was to draw in fans of the original, because the cast and storyline wouldn't be strong enough to sell on its own merits.
For those of you unfamiliar with the premise, Point Break sees extreme sports star Johnny Utah (Bracey) turn his back on his stunt life and join the FBI (because, why not?) where, fresh out of the training academy, he notices a link between a series of high profile international incidents.
As a result of this, Utah infiltrates a group of eco-warrior thrill-seeker types who are on a mission to have the time of their lives while also 'giving back' to the environment. The posse is lead by Bodhi (Ramirez) and the two leads form a sort of bromance that really should have been developed on more.
The film kicks off with an adrenaline pumping motorcycle ride that instantly makes you sit up and think you're in for something special, and in terms of visual effects and stunts, you are. Sadly the prowess of the cinematography and stunt coordination isn't matched in terms of scripting and storytelling, and this becomes clear at the end of that very first set piece.
The first three minutes are a good marker of what is to come – jaw dropping action that looks incredible in 3D, followed by some laughable one-liners and nonsensical plot points, followed by more action, and on it goes.
The fatal flaw of Point Break is that it's trying to be smarter than it is and the plot becomes convoluted. Had they kept to a simpler idea and really developed that, it could've been so much stronger because they really nailed the action and excitement.
Bracey and Ramirez give good performances with what they have to work with, I would love to see them with a stellar script in their hands, one that isn't full of repetitive cliches about destiny and fate, but they are extremely watchable on screen and they compliment each other well.
In saying all of that though, Point Break is a bit of a guilty pleasure; I knew it was ridiculous and laughable, but I did enjoy it, and if it was on Netflix I would 100% watch it again if it was a choice between it and scrolling through a couple of hundred movies unable to decide what I'm in the mood for.
Sinead Brennan
