Review: I should start by admitting that between my first read of the film's description and the moment I actually began watching the documentary, I was worried that the film would amount to a 95-minute attempt to legitimize something that really doesn't appear to need much public respect. However, I was happily surprised to see the film is much more than a bad Behind the Music set to generic surfing video, but rather an exciting look into a sport's evolution from an unorganized hobby to a renowned and valued professional sport. One of the highlights I noticed early on in Bustin' Down the Door was how well the film establishes the basic who, what, where, why and when, and explains in its own time how each aspect notably connects to one another and the film’s narrative. As for the main characters who anchor the surprisingly broad story, the filmmakers find clever ways to make the viewer really connect with each of the men, culminating with a fantastic scene that cements their link to one another and explains their notable connection to the sport.  It’s also great to have the chance to watch phenomenal and almost superhuman surfing feats throughout the film while seeing the characters' stories unfold. While the individual surfers' stories were great, I did find myself wanting to hear more about how the sport really became a big money making industry.  The story briefly touches on how some organizers were able to change aspects specific events in the early seventies to generate more interest from crowds and participants alike, but the film couldn’t focus too much more time there because there really is a lot more to talk about. I liked how the film covers a lot of sub-topics like the structure of the day's major surfing events to the media coverage of the surf circuit.  Just as the filmmakers make sure the viewer emotionally recognizes with- or at least knows each of the main characters- they treat any new information or sequence with a proper amount of explanation for any viewers who might not know a whole lot about professional surfing. My only big complaint is the narration, and yes, I have to point this out.  I know Edward Norton is a great actor, and I also know his voiceover track in the uber-great Fight Club adds a lot to the film. The problem here is that his voiceover in Fight Club was too good, and he doesn’t really differentiate between the scripts much.  His narration is usually unobtrusive, but every so often I had a hard time remembering which movie I was watching and I wondered if the surfers were going to burst into a giant, unprovoked brawl.  Oddly enough, the comparison didn’t offer much even with the scenes that really were about brawling, but I can't exactly say I know how to score that phenomenon. Review by Ryan Pollyea Informative: 3.5 - The discussions of the evolution of surfing as a sport and the steps it went through made for a good storyline Entertainment: 3.5 - You can’t beat the surfing footage and when you hear the personal stories under it, you’ve got an entertaining doc Technical: 3 - The film is technically good but the most notable stuff is definitely the classic surfing footage (that I’m pretty certain the filmmakers didn’t film) Overall:  3.5 - If you’ve got the time and the interest, I’d say hang ten and go for it.  Or just go for it and forget my kind of cheesy attempt at surfer lingo.
 
Format: Netflix Instant Year: 2008 Running Time: 95 minutes Distributor: Screen Media Films Producers: Monika Gosch, Shaun Tomson and Robert Trail Director: Jeremy Gosch Date Reviewed: 8/18/09 Story: Edward Norton narrates this riveting true story of a group of six young surfers from Australia and South Africa who changed the face of the sport in the 1970s with a revolutionary approach to surfing and a refreshingly rebellious attitude. Authentic footage from the era and interviews capture Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, Peter Townend, Mark Richards, Ian Cairns and cousins Shaun and Michael Tomson in action both then…and now. (Netflix)