Blue Crush MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -2

In Hawaii, surfing is the sport of kings, so Anne Marie Chadwick (Kate Bosworth) dreams of winning the Pipe Masters surfing competition. The male-dominated sports contest is open to women surfers for the first time, but the waves of life may be too big for Anne Marie. She was a local champion before a wipe-out and near drowning turned her dream into a nightmare. She also has to be the parent for her 14-year-old sister Penny (Mika Boorem) since their mother eloped to Las Vegas and abandoned them. When pro quarterback Matt Tollman (Matthew Davis) and his teammates check into the luxury hotel where Anne Marie and her friends, Lena (Sanoe Lake) and Eden (Michelle Rodriguez), work as maids, he could be an easy way out of their beach shack trailer life. But surfboard designer Eden also shares Anne Maries dream and, along with Matt, encourages her to face her nightmare on the same waves that nearly killed her. Spectacular surfing action and beautiful Hawaiian scenery add to the summer romance of BLUE CRUSH.

Although scenes show surfing enthusiasts of all ages, including some canine surfers, the film also emphasizes the danger of the sport. A repeated scene shows Anne Marie's memory of hitting the wave-producing reef with her head. Another scene shows a surfer coming out of the water with a cut on his head and one surfer is also shown as having a back injury after tumbling in the crashing water. One scene touches on the desire of young locals to keep some areas "tourist free"; and leads to a brief scuffle and fistfight. Skimpy bikinis and low cut party dresses will no doubt add to young male interest, and like many teen-oriented films, sexual material can get crude. One scene features lengthy exposure of a used condom. Matt and Anne Marie become sexually involved, which is accepted and condoned by their friends. While she sits on a commode, Anne Marie hears other women talking about Matt's past affairs as well as making disparaging remarks about her. Eden and Matt both encourage Anne Marie to follow her dream, but Eden compares her desire to quit to her mother's abandonment, while Matt talks about getting up after being knocked down. Other female competitors, as well as local surfing friends, push Anne Marie to get past her fear. Despite the positive messages about conquering fears and being true to your dreams, BLUE CRUSH sinks under vulgar vocabulary and misguided sexual messages.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608