AGW Entertainment reporter Lynn B. saw a new romantic action film. Here are her thoughts on....

BLUE CRUSH

Universal Pictures

Young would-be pro surfer Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth) lives with her two surfer girl pals Eden (Michelle Rodriguez) and Lena (Sanoe Lake) in a rundown shack near an Oahu beach. She and her little sis Penny (Mika Boorem) are parentless since their mom ran off to party on the mainland. The elder girls work as maids at a resort while Anne Marie tries to keep Penny in school.

The best surfer of the trio, Anne Marie is entering the Pipe Masters surf competition on the Banzai Pipeline in a few days and Eden, who wishes she were half the surfer Anne is, keeps pressuring her to train for the event. When Anne meets vacationing pro quarterback Matt Tollman (Matthew Davis), her balance is thrown off. Is this just a summer fling for him? Will Anne Marie compete and win?

Okay, so the plot isn't rocket science but it's believable. The real stars of the film are the giant waves and director John Stockwell, an avid surfer himself, shoots them beautifully, close up and personal. It's been a long time since anyone saw the classic surf film Endless Summer and camera techniques have improved. No blue screen Annettes from yesteryear hitting fake waves here. You get the real thing. You are inside Oahu's famous North Shore pipeline with the surfers. If you aren't seeing the actresses (Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez and Sanoe Lake) riding the wild surf, it's one of the several pro surf girl advisors on the film. After practice and training the actresses can cut and rip on their own. Bosworth was even conked on the head and knocked out by a flying board.

Kate is the perfect Cinderella, courted by a jock Prince Charming. There are even a bevy of evil "stepsisters" in the person of cruel, jock groupie girlfriends who make fun of the "maid" the prince is slumming with. The three surf girls and little sis form their own tight sisterhood, a family that won't be broken. They're the underdogs and rooting for them is easy. Anne Marie listens to her man's advice but makes her own decisions for her own reasons. You go, gurl!

Two huge, overweight football players provide "laugh at the fat guy" comic relief and I could have done without Matt's corny "get back in the game" speech. Anne Marie is lying flat on her back and he's rattling on about a football game. What he tells her totally telegraphs what will happen in the next few scenes. When she gets up to surf, the announcer conveniently and cruelly announces to all competitors that this is the girl who wiped out and nearly drowned last year "in this same spot". Geez, could he make it a little more difficult and obvious?

A few corny moments aside, you'll still enjoy this fun gurl-powered surf action flick. It's gnarly, dude! It's got romance, humor, galpal bonding, a gorgeous setting, some very awesome waves and the soundtrack is a great, upbeat mix of reggae and rock so, girls, put down your Malibu Barbie, grab your guy or b.f.f.'s and go Blue Crushin'. It's a perfect summer movie.

Official website: www.blue-crush.com

RATED: PG-13