Thrashin' (1986)

Why so much hype?

Too much of everything

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Josh Brolin lights up the screen in this brazen commentary about skateboard rivalries on beach-front properties. The movie is called "Thrashin" and its about skating hardcore tournaments, hardcore pools, and hard-core chilli pepper pits. The movie begins with Brolin exploding out of his bedroom and cross-countrying his way to L.A. Now this is back in the eighties when skateboards were built like tanks. Big wheels, big trucks, big huge fish tail and a flat nose. Skateboarding looked a lot cooler back then, check out the kid with the Diet Slice shirt on at the pool tournament! Brolin has a love interest in the movie played fittingly by Pamela Gidley who was riding a torrent of fame after being named Hottest hottie of the year in Seventeen magazine. The problem is Pam's brother is the leader of the Daggers and shes been told not to cross the line with any Val's. This movie is one of the first about skating to go mainstream and would be shadowed by Slater's "Gleaming the Cube" later in the decade. What Thrashin does well is not take itself too seriously, if you liked this you'd probably love "Under the Boardwalk" which is basically the same movie with surfboards. The re-release is awesome packed with extra features and a commentary track that's hilarious. So take the night off and burn some rubber to this acid droppin daddy, you will not be disappointed. Ten skirts.

If you were a skater punk in the 80's and loved everything Neon, OR you like skating Fat Decks in pools, this movie is for you. If you are an Ebert or a Fat Tony Hawk video game nerd chances are it's not your cup of tea, it's that simple. I was waiting along time for this DVD to be released and when I finally got it, I was so pleased. Watching this disc with the commentary on gets it a nomination of sorts for a comedy commentary award with Robert Rusler, Josh Richmond, Alan Sacks & Steve Olson tearing it up in a drunken blaze of glory. Lace up the Vision high tops, slap on the pink grip tape and shred. P.S. The Daggers will own your soul!!!

Thrashin to me is just Romeo and Juliet on skateboards but its is still awesome, it has some great 80's skateboarding moments and a cool clip of a younger more energetic Red Hot Chili Peppers. Corey Webster (Josh Brolin)comes down to the Valley in LA to stay with some friends and Skate the Downhill and falls for the sister of Tommy Hook, the leader of the Daggers. A local Skate gang who have no regard for anybody especially Corey. As Corey avoids Tommy's warnings to stay away from his sister, the Daggers decide to send a clearer message by burning down the valley Skaters local ramp that they built themselves. Things then become a lot more personal for everybody and with the downhill approaching the stakes become a lot higher as the winner will get a pro sponsorship and the ultimate respect from his fellow skaters. This is a very fun filled film and if you like extreme sports or comedy then this is a great film to watch.

Thrashin' is an awesome skateboarding movie. I grew up watching this movie, and saw it again last month. I still enjoyed watching this movie now, and much as I did then. Its the best skating movie I have ever seen, and captures the way of 80's skating, right on the money.