I’ve seen many surfing films, mostly documentaries of the wave riding jockeys that look like they’re putting their lives at stake with each drop, but none of them can hold a candle to Storm Surfers. This high energy, daredevil, endless wave motion picture takes you on an unforgettable journey in the South Seas that will boggle your mind.
Risking their lives with every wave long time surfers Tom Carroll and Ross Clarke-Jones film their risky feats in some of the most dangerous waters in the world. The Sydney Australia based speed surfers live for the wild ride cheating death versus the tallest waves every surfed. Places like Shipstern Bluff, Tasmania where the waves tower tall boats and move at terror speeds are captured with high quality lenses from all angles and mounted to helicopters, boat decks and the surfboards the daredevils are riding.
The risk factor is high with nearby rocks rising from the ocean floor like skyscrapers. Defying the ocean’s currents, rising waters and coral bottoms the two men put themselves in peril just for the short thrills that would easily kill even the most experienced surfer. Towed with high powered jet skis to the top of the crest, the men drop the tips of their boards and fly down mammoth waves toward the ocean floor then slide into the tunnel that could house a ship at speeds that defy the imagination.
Death defying drops almost take the life of Tom at the infamous Turtle Dove Shoal in Australia. Caught on film I found myself holding my breath while Tom fought for his life under the huge wave.
Storm Surfers was originally released in 3D so the camera work is phenomenal for the DVD. Clear and clean the movie shows brilliantly on my 16×9 home television and completely fills the screen. The shots from inside the waves are amazing, especially when they loom 20 to 60 feet above the famous surfers. Colorful and magnificent, Storm Surfers shows all and without a mar or dot of grain. The film is available in 3D Blu-ray if you have the equipment to show it on your home theater.
The sound quality with the Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0 on the DVD has a crystal clear quality and frightening at times when you hear the deafening roar as the surfers drop off mountainous waves. All the dialogue can be easily heard with each of the interviews, conversations on board the boats, and the urgency in the voices of those trying to communicate with searchers looking for downed surfers.
There are some very good bonus features and a must watch for everyone.
BONUS EXTRAS:
- “Behind the Scenes with Directors Chris Neilus and Justin McMillan” Catching the surfers with special cameras from on boats, Jet Skis, cameramen floating in the water and from the air are all shown in this feature.
- “Tom Carroll Profile”
- “Ross Clarke-Jones Profile”
- “Ross & Tom’s Need for Speed” Here the two surfer stars show their want for speed on land with racing cars.
Specifications and additional film information:
Cast: Tom Carroll and Ross Clarke-Jones, Ben Matson and Narrated by Toni Collette
Directed by: Chris Neilus and Justin McMillan
MPAA Rating: PG
Genre: Sports, Surfing, Documentary
Running Time: 1 hr 30 min
Video Release Date: August 6, 2013
Original Film Release Date: June 14, 2013
Language: English
Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0
Video: Widescreen 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio
Subtitles: None
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: XLrator Media
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
