Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Point Break 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 29, 2023

1991’s “Point Break” is one of those films that either attracts unintentional laughter or lifelong fandom. The picture contains a special screen magic, with director Kathryn Bigelow trying to make something different in an oversaturated action movie marketplace, approaching the screenplay (by W. Peter Iliff) with a wonderful sincerity, aiming to transform a potentially wacky premise about cops on the hunt for bank-robbing surfers into a superbly adrenalized viewing experience, and one that’s loaded with flavorful performances and spiritual attention to help ground the bizarre tale. It’s a wild one that asks viewers to accept its craziness, to go along with all the plotting and characterization, with the reward being Bigelow’s utter command of the genre, providing a hard-hitting, philosophy-spittin’, cinematic ride of unusual temptation, sold with technical excellence.

25-year-old F.B.I. Agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) has been partnered with Agent Angelo Pappas (Gary Busey), tasked with solving a string of bank robberies in Southern California defined by their speed and the presidential masks worn by the crooks. Chasing a wild concept from Pappas, Utah goes undercover to infiltrate the volatile world of surf gangs, using romantic interest in Tyler (Lori Petty), a trusted local with access, to get close to Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), the leader of the bank robbers and all-around guru of beach vibes, life lessons, and tests of adrenaline. Finding himself caught up with Bodhi’s crew, Utah loses sight of his objective, siding more with the criminal element the longer he remains part of the surf crooks.

Believe me, I understand how outsiders could view the movie as enormously goofball. The picture carries an unnerving sincerity about it, taking the plot with utmost seriousness, believing in the corruption of Utah and the spirituality of Bodhi. Most people come for the thrills, but there’s a more beguiling side to “Point Break,” especially in the manner Bigelow constructs its assortment of physical dangers and male bonding sequences. The screenplay is ambitious, taking to land, sea, and air as Utah monitors his wily suspect. Instead of feeling intimidated by the cinematic challenge, Bigelow makes a fist and dives right into the deep end, staging furious moments of conflict and distress, feeling the intensity of the moment (a berserker tone no doubt shepherded by production guru James Cameron) as hotly as Bodhi, keeping the film’s thematic grind of adrenaline addicts in play as Utah keeps blowing opportunities to catch his man.

And I mean literal land, sea, and air excursions in “Point Break.” The picture’s dynamite chase sequences not only tear up Los Angeles neighborhoods with a pronounced summertime boil (the cinematography by Donald Peterman is all orangey and heavenly), but they also make a dash for the ocean, staging gorgeous surfing stunts, eventually moving over to a few skydiving sequences, one of which clearly demonstrates Swayze’s don’t-tell-the-insurance-guy bravado as he leaps out of an airborne plane. No stunt double there. Bigelow keeps the havoc raw, but she’s interested in the splendor of the moment, taking precious screen time to survey the insanity, allowing the viewer to comprehend the complexity of Utah’s dilemma.

“Point Break” is a beautifully directed feature film, boldly tossing around its characters, challenging the actors to endure some extreme physical situations while feeding juicy dialogue to Swayze, who plays Bodhi with such an extreme commitment to beach bum rapture, I’m not entirely convinced it’s acting. This stuff is firmly within Swayze’s wheelhouse and he’s marvelous as the bronzed tormentor, making a fine villain of unnervingly even-keeled wickedness, but he’s also a tempting figure of companionship, offering the inducted a wild mouse ride of turbulent experiences meant to enhance life. Also suited for duty here is Reeves, spraying his “whoa” hose in all the right directions as the slightly dim, mostly ballsy F.B.I. agent who can’t help but side with the bad guys. Reeves has a sharp physicality for the part and his intensity is never in doubt. But who ends up stealing the movie? Gary Busey. In the only likable role of his career, Busey is a fun, frisky presence as the wizened agent with a wild theory about the bank robbers. The actor has never been this agreeable. Considering how disturbingly feral Busey has become over the years, it’s a shock to look forward to his scenes, particularly the classic moment where Pappas nearly achieves an erection over the thought of a local dive’s meatball sandwiches. “Utah, gimme two!” It’s a mantra we all should employ. And if you enjoy John C. McGinley’s acting, well, he’s here too, playing Utah’s short-tempered superior, doing the one thing he always does: yell at people. However, he does it best here.

If there must be a complaint raised about “Point Break,” it would be to question the resolution of the picture, which feels concocted by nervous producers wary of a more ambiguous ending. I’ve never read the script, but the ending has the appearance of a late reshoot, with Reeves in his “Bill & Ted” hair and Swayze looking decidedly deflated from his Bodhi prime. Perhaps test audiences hated the challenge of processing Utah’s confused state of honor, now offered an epilogue of sorts that crudely injects one last action beat into an already exhausted endeavor.

Point Break 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Point Break" was originally issued on Blu-ray in 2008, returning to release in 2023, offering fans a "New master and restoration from a 2023 4K scan of the interpositive in Dolby Vision." Shout Factory aims to impress with an upgrade for the feature, and there's improvement here, especially with color. Working with intense California locations and period beachwear, hues are nicely amplified without slipping out of control. Primaries are direct, capturing blue waters and skies, also doing well with blood reds. DayGlo hues are also distinct, and fiery orange is welcomingly hot. Skin tones are natural. Detail reaches as far as it can go here, offering decent skin particulars and textured costuming. Location tours retain appealing dimension, with deep beaches and city chases. Exteriors are also open for inspection, exploring community movement and signage. Delineation is satisfactory, handling evening events. Highlights are balanced, with exteriors retaining a fine sense of sun-blasted action. Grain is capably resolved. Source is in good condition.

Point Break 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides a nice low-end rumble with oceanic experiences, keeping surfing sequences heavier, adding to intended intensity. Dialogue exchanges are distinct, with a sharp understanding of performance choice and vocal power. Scoring supports with crisp instrumentation, and boosted moments of synthy dominance are present. Soundtrack selections are commanding. Surrounds offer a circular sense of atmospherics and music, staying active.

Point Break 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "It's Make or Break" (23:03, SD) is a 2006 making-of for "Point Break," featuring interviews with director Kathryn Bigelow, co-producers Rick King, Robert L. Levy, and Peter Abrams, writer W. Peter Iliff, stunt coordinator Glenn R. Wilder, stunt doubles Scott Wilder and Pat Banta, and actors Gary Busey, Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, Lori Petty, John C. McGinley, John Philbin, and BoJesse Christopher. The origin story for the film is recalled, with King coming up with the plot, putting Iliff to work, giving the hungry writer a shot on a project that initially sold to Columbia Pictures, with actors such as Charlie Sheen and Johnny Depp up for starring roles. Four years later, director Kathryn Bigelow and executive producer James Cameron revived the project, getting it back into production. The interviewees discuss themes and characterization, with Bigelow fighting to cast Reeves as Johnny Utah, while Swayze was locked in early, enjoying the fluidity of the part. Love for Busey and his wilder ways is also shared. Surfing challenges are identified, along with the feminine energy emerging from Bigelow, who brought something different to the adrenaline rush of the movie. The ways of skydiving are recognized, created with a mix of the real thing and movement on cranes. The featurette closes with a brief examination of the reshot ending.

• "Ride the Wave" (6:08, SD) is a 2006 study of the surfer ways of "Point Break," with cast and crew exploring the physical and spiritual might of the waves. Interviewees gets philosophical, selling the magic of the sport and subculture.

• "On Location: Malibu" (8:32, SD) catches up with actors BoJesse Chrisopher and John Philbin, who offer a tour of California shooting locations, sharing bits of BTS information along the way.

• "Adrenaline Junkies" (6:01, SD) returns to cast and crew to discuss the physicality of the picture and its creative shape, putting the characters through specific tests of survival. The interviewees also share their personal sporting choices when pursuing a "rush" in the real world.

• Additional Scenes (4:35, SD) are offered, offering little bits of character and quirk.

• Image Gallery (2:17) collects BTS snaps.

• And Theatrical Trailer #1 (1:58, SD), Theatrical Trailer #2 (1:08, SD), and Theatrical Trailer #3 (1:08, SD) are included.

Point Break 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Point Break" has been ridiculed, lampooned, and formed into an object of desire by an equally delightful feature, 2007's "Hot Fuzz." The essence of the movie remains unsullied, and with every viewing comes fresh details and a new appreciation for the film's fearlessness and originality in the midst of all of the cop formula. It's a special motion picture, now more than ever.