Grind MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -3

In this comedyaction film, four high school graduates Eric (Mike Vogel), Dustin (Adam Brody), Matt (Vince Vieluf) and ladies man Sweet Lou (Joey Kern) follow their dreams of becoming full-time skateboard competitors on a road-trip adventure. They try to get noticed by skateboarding legend Jimmy Wilson (Jason London) but find out that the pro skateboarding world is slow to welcome no-name skaters. The foursome lies, cheats and cons their way into each skateboarding venue, and gets turned away at others despite their creative, and often immoral, manipulations. Doors start to open for them when a professional female skater, Jamie (Jennifer Morrison), takes a liking to Eric. This act of kindness is not forgotten as the audience learns near the end of the movie.

While it showcases some skateboarding talents, Grind has little depth in characters or story line. Many scantily clad women indiscriminately say yes to any lustful request. The film glamorizes the party scene and minimizes the dangers of drug use, including sniffing. Equally troublesome is the message that there are no consequences for foolish and self-destructive behavior. A more subtle negative, the background music has a series of inappropriate sexual themes. Excessive profanity and immature sexual humor adds nothing to promote an interest in the hard work that it takes to become a professional skateboarder. This film does not have enough of the skillful, talented skateboarding that skateboarders will want to see, and it has too much crudeness and vulgarity, especially bathroom humor, for anyone to see.

Preview Reviewer: Brian Hughes
Distributor: Warner Brothers