Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Skateboard Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 6, 2024

1978’s “Skateboard” (a.k.a. “Skateboard: The Movie”) is a production trying to capitalize on a trend. The world of skateboarding is explored here, with co-writer/director George Gage bringing viewers to Los Angeles, where the kids are showing off their moves on four wheels, while a desperate man with an enormous debt hopes to exploit such talent for his own financial gain. “Skateboard” is a quickie production, offering a threadbare plot and sketchily drawn characters, but it’s not meant to be much more than a showcase for the sport, captured here during its 1970s heyday, with subculture superstar Tony Alva claiming a supporting role. Skateboarding footage is key here, adding a sense of excitement and showmanship to the endeavor, which noticeably struggles with anything that isn’t about following sporting accomplishments. It’s not the most electric offering of drama, with Gage and co-writer Richard A. Wolf (the future king of television, Dick Wolf, making his professional debut) struggling to pour some foundation for a feature that’s best with pure physical activity.

Manny (Allen Garfield) is in a desperate place. He’s broke, dealing with mounting alimony payments to his ex-wife, and his car is busted. Manny’s also in deep with gangster Sol (Antony Carbone), owning him a large amount of money he has almost no chance of paying back. Running out of options to make quick cash, Manny turns to skateboarding, offering Sol a chance to collect on his debt through the organization of a skateboarding team, looking to shape a squad capable of competing on a local level. Sol agrees to the scheme, while Manny builds a team, recruiting Jason (Richard Van der Wyk), Tony (Tony Alva), Brad (Leif Garrett), Peter (Steve Monahan), Randi (Pam Kenneally), Dennis (David Hyde), and Jenny (Ellen O’Neal). The coach has little experience and lots of impatience, trying to manage a collection of teenagers as they travel around, facing challengers and putting on exhibitions, with Manny trying to make his way to a major competition payday.

The inspiration for “Skateboard” appears to be 1976’s “The Bad News Bears,” with Manny in the Buttermaker role, introduced as a sketchy human being with financial issues, quick to lie and cheat others while trying to dodge communication from his ex-wife, whom he owes plenty of money to. Manny is also in debt to Sol, who’s trying to maintain contact with the unemployed man, reminding him of his monetary obligations. An incident involving Tony jumping over Manny’s stalled car while riding his skateboard in traffic inspires the destitute man’s crazy idea, aiming to form a team capable of making a small fortune in prize money. It’s a pretty strange vision for financial stability, but Gage and Wolf aren’t pushing too hard to get “Skateboard” up and running, with Manny soon assembling his teen avengers, including star Jason, who’s much more interested in acquiring beer.

“Skateboard” observes Manny’s coaching style, which involves berating the bratty kids as they travel around the area in a beat-up bus. He’s hoping for the best from the newly christened L.A. Wheels, and Gage soon launches the first of many exhibition and race sequences, which offers a welcome break from loose character work. Displays of freestyle skating are greatly engaging, watching the young athletes pull off tricks and display amazing balance as they showcase their moves. “Skateboard” also visits skate parks and pipes to show off the sport, giving viewers exactly what they’ve paid for as cameras try to keep up with the characters. Less interesting is dramatic formula, with the team facing trouble with its star, Jason, who’s courted by a helmet company for commercial work, and he displays all the warning signs of depression, but the picture isn’t about to pursue that situation in full. Manny’s also handed something of a love interest in assistant coach Millicent (Kathleen Lloyd), which feels shoehorned into the movie.

Skateboard Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.84:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Skateboard" is listed as a "2023 restoration of the film." It's a softer viewing experience, dealing with cinematographic achievements of the day, which limit fine detail. Frame information is softer, limiting an understanding of period fashion and skin surfaces, and frizzy hair of the 1970s is appreciable. Locations retain some dimension, exploring skate spots and challenge courses. Interiors are acceptable, visiting living spaces and demo spots. Colors are comfortably refreshed, with brighter primaries on uniforms and clothing choices, with hotter reds and yellows. Locations also preserve the golden Southern California experience. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy, with a chunkier quality. Source is in decent condition.

Skateboard Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 Dolby Digital mix offers noticeable age during the listening event. Dialogue exchanges are intelligible, dealing with performance abilities and enunciation, but mild technical limitations are present. Scoring cues are satisfactory without real sharpness, and soundtrack selections are also decent, with more pronounced instrumentation. Atmospherics are basic, exploring crowd sounds and street bustle.

Skateboard Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (22 pages) contains director's statement from George Gage, an essay by Jenny Gage, and a 1978 "Skateboard" glossary from Tony Alva.

• Commentary features director George Gage and actor Tony Alva.

• Interview (5:58, HD) is a conversation with director George Gage. The interviewee explores his relationship with writer Dick Wolf, with the pair coming up together in the world of marketing, soon connecting on a plan to make "Skateboard." Casting is explored, with the helmer working to use the top skateboarders of the day, hoping to give the feature some sporting authenticity. Individual contributions are noted, with Leif Garrett putting in the work to resemble a pro skater, impressing his co-stars. Troubling times with Allen Garfield are also shared. Gage shares his favorite scene from the movie, dealing with crowd issues for the climatic race. He also details his friendship with actor Tony Alva, remaining in touch with the skateboarding king as he went on to become a director himself.

• Safety PSA (:38, HD) is actually the same post-credits clip from the very end of "Skateboard," teaching kids that the stunts were handled by professionals. It also reminds youngsters to wear protective equipment and "skate safe," with this warning placed at a point in the movie where nobody would be in the theater to see it.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:19, HD) is included.

Skateboard Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Skateboard" has its moments of fun, and it works to a showdown situation at the Burbank Downhill Invitational, giving Gage a Big Game finale that retains intended excitement, putting the L.A. Wheels to the ultimate test. This kind of sporting focus is largely missing from the rest of the endeavor, which could use a tighter understanding of team dynamics and Manny's arc of leadership. "Skateboard" is a little too slack when it comes to storytelling, unable to offer agreeable personality with the characters and give them more defined issues, but the skateboarding sequences are fascinating to watch. And as a time capsule for the 1970s, the picture is tough to beat, presenting a look at feral adolescence and open world skateboarding, going back to an era when the sport was developing, becoming a trend and a source of rebellion at the same time.