Point Break: Pure Adrenaline Edition

Is there any other way to present this film other than in the "Pure Adrenaline” edition? One of the most entertaining films of the ’90s (seriously, think about how many times you’ve seen it), what Bigelow’s Point Break lacks in brains it makes up for in brawn. Completely devoid of any subtlety or depth, Point Break is a non-stop, backbreaking action flick that pits dim-witted Keanu Reeves (as Johnny Utah) against the master of Zen-ful ass-kicking Patrick Swayze (Bodhi). The story follows a young F.B.I. agent brought in to help aging Agent Pappas (Gary Busey) investigate a string of robberies by crooks dressed as ex-presidents (not surprisingly, Bodhi and his crew). Some meagre character development, lovin’ and surfing action goes by but it’s the battle of the "wits” between the two stars that gives us such riveting scenes as the parachute-less jump out of the plane, the colossal wave Bodhi attempts to ride at the film’s end and best of all, Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis (as a drug-running goon) whimpering at his GSW after a raid. The acting is horrendous but it’s hardly vital to a film that survives on its constant rushes of excitement. Memorable also for its overuse of the F bomb (105 times) and as Swayze’s last hurrah in a string of hits, Point Break is what it is: a frivolous piece of fluff that gives the viewer kicks and little else. And what’s so bad about that? Additionally, a featurette looks back on the film in hilarious detail. It’s too bad the filmmakers didn’t appreciate this in the same vein as the Swayzedog’s other classic, Road House, and just accept that this is senseless amusement at its finest. Still, some laughs can be had as Bigelow is applauded by a crewmember for her use of, you guessed it, "subtlety and depth,” while Busey’s unhinged dementia provides enough stimulation to neutralise the eye rolling. Plus: deleted scenes, featurettes, trailers.