Emile Hirsch, Rebecca De Mornay, Johnny Knoxville

The film follows the surf and skateboarding trends that originated in Venice, California during the 1970's.

Flixster Users

83% liked it

60,687 ratings

Critics

55% liked it

138 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke

Release Date: June 3, 2005

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DVD Release Date: September 27, 2005

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Stats: 4,165 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (4,165)


  • October 6, 2008
    Skip: "You gotta approach every day as if it's your last!"

    The true story of the kids who created modern skateboard culture is recreated in this drama. In the early '70s, skateboards were seen as a fad of the 1960s that had all but died out, but in a rough-and-tumble Veni...( read more)ce, CA, community known as "Dogtown," that was about to change. Tony Alva (Victor Rasuk), Stacy Peralta (John Robinson), and Jay Adams (Emile Hirsch) were three guys who liked to surf the rugged beaches around Venice and hung out at the Zephyr Surf Shop, a store run by Skip Engblom (Heath Ledger) that stocked gear for adventurous surfers and skateboarders. With the advent of new urethane wheels that connected with concrete in a way old metal and rubber wheels could not, Tony, Stacy, and Jay began exploring ways to translate radical surf style to skateboarding, and the guys invented a new way to skate inside the smooth, round surfaces of empty pools, employing vertical moves and edge flips that added a new and dramatic spin to skating. It didn't take long for word to spread about the wild new style of the Z-Boys, and they quickly became local celebrities, and later nationwide skating stars, though sudden fame took its toll on these young men. The true story of Lords of Dogtown was previously the basis of the acclaimed documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys, directed by former Z-Boy Stacy Peralta, who like Tony Alva served as a consultant on this project.

    Lords of Dogtown is one of the best movies to come out of 2005. It has it's funny parts then its more dramatic meaningful parts, the two contrasts of the both make the film really enjoyable. If you love the whole surf/skateboard scene you will absolutely love it! Great acting by the skating trio and so is Heath Ledger as their manager per se, Skip Engblom.

    Skateboarding today is entirely different from the skateboarding in the '70s. Today's skateboarders mostly rely on high-flying octane tricks while '70s skateboarding is mostly land tricks. Most tricks are even derived from surfing. Its like surfing on land back in the seventies.

    Great story, great cast, great director. Kudos to the cast and crew for making an excellent film.
  • January 2, 2008
    really enjoyed it
  • December 9, 2007
    I was going to give 3 stars just because of Emile Hirsch and Heath Ledger's performances, showing the promise of there big careers. Then they decided to give Johnny Knoxville a part in the movie and ended up ruining that as well for me. Besides all of those thing nice camera work...( read more) and cool skate moves and that's all this film really has on the documentary about the Z-boys.
  • September 22, 2007
    Very cool dramatisation of the pioneering Zephyr skateboard team and the effects of power in the mid-70's. Great performance from a relatively new cast and the story is involving and sincere. The biggest highlight for me was the awesome retro soundtrack. Appropriate and just plai...( read more)n cool. At times the team came off as bratty delinquents, but overall, a fun and interesting tale.
  • August 26, 2007
    Standard film, mediocre, nothing further, worth one watch or two.
  • November 16, 2009
    good one! hirsch is da man!
  • November 11, 2009
    Heath Ledger
    We love you Heath
  • November 6, 2009
    Pensare che all'inizio ero prevenutissima, e invece è semplicemente bellissimo (e ha una colonna sonora che spaKKa!)
  • October 4, 2009
    Skip: You gotta approach every day as if it's your last!

    It's a true story about the Z-Boys and those around them. And about how they revolutionated skating during the 70's and practically made it what it is today.
    But it's also a story about friendship, a fri...( read more)endship being tested by fame and money. Loyalty to their friends, struggling with the loyalty to Skip Engblom(Heath Ledger), their mentor and role model...There's some romance and family issues, drugs, alcohol and disease and eventually death.

    The whole story, although it could have been played out in a different way, is very interesting and captivating. The acting though is really good. From Heath Ledger to Emile Hirsch and Victor Rasuk, they all shine. Really good performances.

    Definitley wort watching. An interesting plot a great soundtrack and brilliant performances.
  • September 30, 2009
    Oh i remembered watched this movie on tv along time ago, i can't really remember. But this movie reminded me of Heath Ledger and Emil Hirsch. Emile was so sexy, and John Robinson had a red chics. Even in Transformers too. Oh God, how could i can remember that face?

    It was based ...( read more)on true story, and after saw the movie, i was searching about it, and it was really based on true story. Tells about the life of the skaters. And went to alot of championship. I couldn't remember it too, cuz it was long time ago. I think i will give it twice to watch.

Critic Reviews


June 6, 2005
Kurt Loder, MTV

[I]t vibrates with a bouncing-off-the-walls energy that sucks you right into the action. full review

June 3, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Lords of Dogtown stays afloat, largely because many of its actors transcend Hardwicke's heavy-handed storytelling. full review

June 3, 2005
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

When the film works dramatically, it works because of [Emile Hirsch and Heath Ledger]. full review

June 3, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Not only is there no need for this movie, but its weaknesses underline the strength of [Dogtown and the Z-Boys]. full review

June 3, 2005
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Peralta has actually told this tale once before, and done a better job, as the director of the 2001 documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys. full review

June 2, 2005
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com

Being a little skate punk pre-teen... I found the film to be a fascinating window to my own past, despite the film's obvious flaws. I doubt others will be as forgiving. full review

June 2, 2005
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

The film doesn't hold together in any compelling way. full review

June 2, 2005
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Lords of Dogtown, from start to finish, is pretty much a blast. full review

June 2, 2005
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Peralta's script doesn't have a satisfying dramatic structure. full review

June 2, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Directed with vigor and wit. full review

View more Lords of Dogtown reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • mariefuller80
    August 4, 2008
    These kids can act, and they also maintained their balance on dangerous skateboard stunts.
  • SnugglingBunny
    June 25, 2008
    I thought this film was bloody fantastic.
    So cool :)
  • hails94
    April 26, 2008
    I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!
    BEST MOVIE EVER!!!
  • a7madoh
    January 29, 2008
    I like the end..
  • ThrillerxXx
    July 9, 2007
    I love this movie..It's awesome! Skateboarding/surfing guys and good acting doesn't get much better!
  • adravenc
    June 23, 2007
    this is my favorite movie in the world i luv sk8boarding sooo much!
  • desinb
    May 24, 2007
    I LOVE THIS MOVIE SOOOOOO MUCH...LOL...HOTT GUYS,SK8BORDING/SURFING HOW MUCH BETTER CAN IT GET?
  • CrankDatPeterPan
    May 16, 2007
    this movie rules shows how tony alva and them renverated skateboarding to be how it is today
  • bigpixels
    November 10, 2006
    I file this one under "regret renting". I love skateboarding, surfing and all the heroes that are portrayed, it's just a shame that it had to be such a badly executed movie.
  • emogrl3
    September 24, 2006
    this movie totally rocks and it has rilly hott guys in it. plus it they can skate and surf. how much better does it get then that?

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Lords of Dogtown Trivia


  • In which movie is all about skateboarders wit someone who dies of brain cancer????  Answer »
  • What actor played in A Knight's Tale, The Brother's Grimm, Casanova, Lords of Dogtown, and 10 Things I Hate About You?   Answer »
  • name the actress who stars in the tv show ugly betty and was in the sisterhood of the travelling pants as well as lords of dogtown?  Answer »
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