Sons of Summer

Part surfing movie part thriller the film is kind of a sequel to Avalon's Summer City released 46 years ago the premiere of which I attended. What I loved about it was in part the nostalgic elements as it referenced the original film which starred a few unknown actors like Steve Bisley and Mel Gibson. This film manages to work as a study of Australian mateship and the contemporary surfie culture that has existed in Australia for decades. The surf sequences are dazzling and elegant and the movie moves with a taut briskness. One hopes it gets publicity on home turf and finds an audience. In the US the movie is playing in select AMC theaters and on demand through Apple etc. Grade B.

Now I have got to waste 600 letters on a review when the title should already says everything. I actually only bothered to watch this movie seeing that the score was 7.2 on Imdb. How it ever got there is a mystery to me. The whole thing is an amateurisch mess. The acting was incredibly bad. The characters behaved in a complete illogical way. The introduction and what was supposed to be the headline in this movie about a murder committed 30 years earlier played no role whatsoever in the story. We have a two man mafia going about like a chicken with no head. I can only advice against wasting your time on this trash. There are some nice shots of wave riding, but that shouldn't serve as an excuse to watch this trash.

The scenery and surfing is great, the plot has a good story line and is carried really well by the main actors being Temura Morrison and Joe Davidson. Alex Fleri has some really good action shots and is believable in his part.

Isabel Lucas parts her part well, but her part could have had many more exciting and meaningful scenes which would have highlighted her part, I believe most movies require good female scenes to bring the movie "home".

Plently of ocean shots and some excitingly good surfing is captured - so if you like to watch surfing close to a beach with a good story line and good waves then you'll love this movie.

Sons of Summer is, above all, an entertainment piece that delivers some of the most breathtaking surfing imagery ever captured on film. While some critics have been quick to put it down for its weaker plot, I believe that focusing solely on its narrative shortcomings overlooks the film's many strengths-especially its striking visuals and immersive cinematography.

The film takes full advantage of Australia's stunning coastal landscapes, with the Gold Coast and Southern NSW providing a perfect backdrop for the mix of action, thriller, and relaxed, music-backed surfing sequences. At times, this combination can feel a little disjointed, but there's no denying the film's visual and atmospheric appeal.

Temuera Morrison delivers a powerful presence despite limited dialogue, proving that sometimes, a performance can be compelling through sheer gravitas alone. Joe Davidson is a convincing and charismatic leading man, though the film could have benefited from stronger storytelling to further develop his character. The simplistic dialogue prevents deeper audience connection, and a richer backstory would have allowed for more engaging performances overall.

While I understand the criticism regarding plot and character development, it's a shame that so many reviews focus only on the negatives. Sons of Summer excels in areas that deserve recognition-its cinematography, action sequences, and stunning surf shots make it a visually exhilarating ride. Despite its flaws, the film remains an all-around entertainer, and for its visuals alone, I rate it highly.

There a few movies that can mix action and surfing. I can think of three. Point Break, Liquid Bridge and Summer City.

SONS OF SUMMER cleverly mixes a Road Trip to pay tribute to a dad that was murdered 30 years ago.

The four sons, lead by actor Joe Davidson who's dad was the one murdered by a Vet and has his own problems is a likeable character warts n all. His relationship with girlfriend Isabel Lucas is at the crossroads as his deeds before they go on the trip make the journey memorable.

Enter Temeura Morrison. What a great actor, he adds the tension and moves the story into a different genre.

Next we have the visuals, the surfing sequences are the best Ive ever seen in a movie and the music was a perfect mix of today and yesterday. Ive rated this 9 stars. Highly recommended.