Step Into Liquid (2003)

82% of critics liked it
(78 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(5,527 ratings)

Second generation surfing documentarian Dana Brown (son to Bruce Brown, who directed The Endless Summer 2) strikes out with his own original piece of filmmaking with his 2003 ode to the world's surfing enthusiasts entitled Step Into Liquid. Part travelogue, and part attempt to redefine surfing's… More Second generation surfing documentarian Dana Brown (son to Bruce Brown, who directed The Endless Summer 2) strikes out with his own original piece of filmmaking with his 2003 ode to the world's surfing enthusiasts entitled Step Into Liquid. Part travelogue, and part attempt to redefine surfing's image, Brown travels to some of the ordinary surfing locales -- such as Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States -- as well as some rather unexpected ones, including the west coast of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan to Easter Island to a secular surfing school in Ireland. While in these diverse locations, Brown interviews the numerous souls whose lives have been taken over by the lure of surfing, ranging from seasoned professionals to casual hobbyists, in an attempt to dispel the myth of surfers being perpetually stoned slackers. Step Into Liquid was selected to screen at a handful of film festivals in 2003, including the Nodance Film Festival in Park City, UT. ~ Ryan Shriver, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Dana Brown
Written By: Dana Brown
Genres: Documentary, Sports & Fitness

In Theaters: Aug 8, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Apr 20, 2004
Studio: Artisan Entertainment

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
[Brown] collects some fascinating stories.
Scott Foundas, Variety
An awe-inspiring survey of global surf culture.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
When Step Into Liquid remembers that it is indeed all about the wave, it pulls us right into it.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
In any sport, whether it's whacking a ball into a cup or your opponent into submission, the majestic and the absurd are very close cousins, and Brown is generous enough here to give us a long look at both.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Step Into Liquid could very well be the perfect surfing movie.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Step Into Liquid is the perfect way to end the summer.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
All about the sights, which are glorious.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
The footage is amazing, and the human element makes this more than a sport documentary.
Tony Medley, tonymedley.com
Simple-minded though it is, it's wonderful entertainment.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
Some of the images are breathtaking, particularly the underwater shots looking up through the water to the surfers on the surface.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Step Into Liquid is not only about passion, it demonstrates it through a deep and loving knowledge and respect for the subject matter.
Marcy Dermansky, About.com
The cinematography is stunning, the camera so close to the surfer that it takes you inside the wave, beneath the falling crest.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Produced with an insider's knowledge and affection, but surfing's moment as an exotic pop phenomenon with a big curiosity factor for landlubbers has passed...
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Absolutely unlike any documentary you've ever seen, Step Into Liquid nearly qualifies as a religious experience.
Jason Anderson, eye WEEKLY
A surfing documentary that offers a satisfactory amount of thrills within a tsunami of platitudes and hyperbole.
JoBlo, JoBlo's Movie Emporium
A wonderful commercial for everything that makes surfing so enjoyable for many people.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jasen L

Beautifuly filmed Surf Documentry. I love that it's not cliche. Personaly I feel a sense of freedom watching it. Even tho I've only surfed a handfull of times this doc really validates my connection to those times. Good soundtrack.