Step Into Liquid Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Step Into Liquid Blu-ray Movie Review

Charlie may not surf, but you just might want to after viewing this Blu-ray disc.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 23, 2008

It's all about the wave.

I always feel just the slightest bit apprehensive when I have to review one of these extreme sports documentaries. I've never been much of a fan of extreme sports, but I do recognize and appreciate the skill and risk of participating in them. Fortunately, Step Into Liquid and Steep both offered me something I could relate to. Originally from the North, I loved snow and always dreamt of skiing with a modicum of skill. As for Step Into Liquid, I've loved the water since infancy. I've never had any aspirations to surf, but just getting into water is magical for me. I love the feel, the submersion, the power of one of nature's most important contributions to our way of life. While Step Into Liquid is more about being on top of the water rather than below it (if you are any good at surfing, anyway, which the athletes depicted in this film most certainly are), the rush is still there -- for as gentle and essential to life water is, it can be your best friend or your harshest enemy, a fact known all too well to professional surfers. Now, without further ado, please do Step Into Liquid with me.

Surfs up!

Step Into Liquid takes a basic approach to its subject material, moving from one locale and interviewee to the next in a methodical approach. With footage that takes viewers from the beauty and "perfect waves" of Hawaii, to the short window of waves found on Lake Michigan off the coast of Sheboygan, WI, to Ireland, Costa Rica, Australia, Tahiti, Texas, Vietnam, Rapa Nui, and other exotic locales, Step Into Liquid is certainly a globetrotting, ambitious project that is sure to be every amateur surfer's dream come true, the next best thing to visiting and surfing some of the finest waves the world over. Featuring interviews with some of the most famous surfers of the last quarter-century, including "Mr Pipeline" Gerry Lopez, Kelly Slater, Dale Webster, the Irish Malloy Brothers (whose segment was the best of the documentary; these brothers use the sport of surfing to bring together Catholic and Protestant children from Ireland and Northern Ireland), Robert August (star of The Endless Summer, the film directed by Bruce Brown, father of Step Into Liquid director Dana Brown), Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, Maureen Drummy, and Taj Burrow, Step Into Liquid also serves as a fantastic introductory tool for the newest members of the surfing community or as a means by which fans can see and learn more about their favorite surfing idols.

Step Into Liquid served as my first real experience learning about the world of surfing. Outside of a few movies, I'd never understood or fully appreciated the sport. While this film doesn't have me googling the best price on surf boards and booking a Surfin' Safari to Hawaii, I've come to a point where I can respect the culture of surfing and the graceful yet adrenaline-packed sport that it is. I also learned quite a bit not only about surfing, but about nature as well. Did you know that the best surfers in the world are dolphins, followed by seals and pelicans? Humans "suck" in comparison, but our disadvantages and fears never stop us from trying. Step Into Liquid also examines the surfing culture as it began in the 1950s, the impact of the film Gidgit (though nothing about the Beach Boys, oddly enough), the role and place of surfing today, including the greater acceptance of surfers and the surfer lifestyle abroad as opposed to that in the United States, and briefly delves into the stereotypes of surfers, all of which add a heart, authenticity, and most importantly, balance to the documentary.

Step Into Liquid Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Step Into Liquid catches the Blu-wave with an authentically pleasing 1080p, 1.85:1 transfer. The video quality of this documentary isn't the crispest I've ever seen. There is a certain rough feel to it that definitely adds to the documentary appeal of the film. It still looks gorgeously cinematic, however. Colors are excellent, and it should come as no surprise that blue is the predominant color. It's in almost every scene; the water is oftentimes a glorious, deep, natural blue that seems to only exist in movies (or at least in more exotic locales I can only dream about). Other colors, mostly seen on the various bright pieces of clothing worn by the surfers or the surf boards themselves, local wildlife, and the like, look stunning. There is a bit of film grain over the image, as well as some print damage such as hairs, but the rough feel truly does make this documentary appear authentic and real, and I never minded the minor flaws scattered throughout the image. Some long-distance shots do appear somewhat soft in appearance, especially long-distance shots of land. Flesh tones are accurate in appearance. Step Into Liquid's 1080p transfer is a solid one with an all-encompassing documentary look and feel that shines on large screens and practically brings some of the finest surfing in the world into your living room.

Step Into Liquid Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Step Into Liquid splashes onto Blu-ray with a wonderful DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack. Please note that this is the only sound mix available on the disc, save for the audio commentary. Step Into Liquid offers booming audio right from the beginning of the disc. This soundtrack is reminiscent of the power of the top-flight feel and extravagance of the soundtracks I've heard in IMAX theaters, especially those at Disney World (the "Soarin'" ride to be exact). I still cannot believe just how exciting this soundtrack is to not only hear, but also to feel. When waves crash down on-screen, the sound they produce is on par with the finest, deepest lows I've heard anywhere, including the most powerfully explosive war and action movies. The rumble is felt in the seat of your pants, and what it's like to surf one of these waves becomes almost palpable simply through the auditory wonderment that is this lossless soundtrack found on Step Into Liquid. When we aren't under the hypnotic influence that is the power of the wave, the documentary takes on a decidedly more mundane feel, highlighted by quite a bit of dialogue, and that aspect of the soundtrack is also wonderfully perfect. Dialogue is loud, clear, and concise, focused directly in the center channel and always at an appropriate volume. Surround channels aren't always active, but they work hard to envelop the viewer in the movie's surfing sequences, and really aren't needed during the interview scenes. The various musical pieces heard over the movie, especially the hard rock pieces, are also pulse-pounding and exquisitely reproduced with a solid rear-channel presence. I enjoyed the sonic aspect of Step Into Liquid more than the wonderful look of the picture, and while the video image brought you to the various surfing locales around the world, this DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack engulfs you in them. This is another first-rate soundtrack from Lionsgate, perhaps the most under-appreciated Blu-ray studio today.

Step Into Liquid Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Lionsgate delivers a plethora of supplements to compliment the Step Into Liquid Blu-ray experience. An audio commentary track with director/writer/editor/narrator Dana Brown is first. Brown is a bit dry but offers some hearty comments ranging from a lighthearted recounting of the arguments over the opening credits to the "exposing" of the super-tanker surfing phenomenon. This track presents some fascinating insights into what it takes to create a documentary that spans the globe and involves filming in and around water, and budding filmmakers and surfing enthusiasts alike will find this track to be an interesting listen. Let's Go Surfing (480p, 13:12) features surfers Robert "Wingnut" Weaver and Maureen Drummy. This is a how-to introduction to the world of surfing, offering basic instruction that ranges from finding the perfect spot to surf to positioning your body correctly on the board. For being a 13 minute feature, it packs in quite a bit of information for beginners. Capturing the Wave (480p, 13:19) examines the magic and hard work of capturing the wonderful water photography seen in the film.

Making a Surfboard (480p, 8:30), as you might intelligently surmise, is a look into the creation of a surfboard from the milling room to the final polish. Four deleted and alternate scenes (480p, 15:19) are next. Passion For Liquid (480p, 14:25) takes a look at the massive appeal of both the film and the sport itself to surfers and non-surfers alike. This piece feels like an extension of the film rather than a supplement. A series of interviews (480p, 42:39) with Dana Brown, Bruce Brown, Robert "Wingnut" Weaver, Robert August, Sam August, Jim and Alex Knost, Maureen Drummy, and Peter Townend are next. Following the interviews are two music montages: "Only One," written and performed by Jeremy Kay (480p, 4:12) and "Windshield Wipers" written by Rusty Miller and performed by Jackpot (480p, 4:29). Finally, Dale Webster (480p, 7:53) is an interview with the famed surfer depicted in the film.

Step Into Liquid Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Whether coincidence or planned sales strategy, Lionsgate is releasing their surfing documentary Step Into Liquid only one week prior to 20th Century Fox's release of their action/bank robbing/surfing thriller, Point Break. Both titles serve as excellent additions to any surfing enthusiast's Blu-ray library. In Step Into Liquid, surfing is presented and described as "purely fun," and that monicker can be attributed to this documentary as well. It's not for everyone, but its authenticity and honesty, combined with a straightforward approach, the friendly and genuine personalities of its subjects, and oftentimes breathtaking locales and surfing shots makes for a quick 85 minute watch. With its solid technical specs, including a pounding, realistic soundtrack, gritty yet gorgeous video quality, and an abundance of supplemental features, surfing aficionados and Blu-ray collectors alike will want to add this disc to their collections.