Stars: Jonny Weston, Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue
Studio: 20th Century Fox
When Jay Moriarty (Jonny Weston), a thrill-seeking surfer, discovers that the Mavericks, reputed to be the biggest waves on the planet, are practically on the doorstep of his Santa Cruz, Calif., home, he enlists a crotchety pro, Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler) to teach him how to ride the mythical waves. Weston puts in an earnest performance, but Butler is clearly the heavyweight here. Still, in a film that could be one note, there’s a lot to like — especially the close-up views of the gorgeously breathtaking California coast. The cinematography alone is worth the price of admission. –p.d. lee
