Critic Reviews

• Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times

  Little more than an extended piece of lifestyle merchandising, a long montage for monitors in sporting-goods shops.

• V.A. Musetto, New York Post

  The person we want most to hear from, Way himself, is largely missing. Go figure.

• Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

  Only for the converted.

• G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

  It's enjoyable enough, but how much you like it will depend on how much you like skateboarding and extreme sports.

• Jon Caramanica, New York Times

  IIf it's a god on a skateboard you want, a god on a skateboard you'll get in this hagiography ...

• Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

  Colorful folks and cool stunts abound, but casual viewers may still utter a big "Why?"

• Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media

  The construction is more like a TV reality show than a work of journalism or personal exploration; it's meant to keep you tuned in without actually revealing anything.

• Susan Granger, SSG Syndicate

  While providing a fantastically visual diversion for aspiring skateboarders, this documentary lacks any personal insight into or commentary about legendary Danny Way.

• Edward Douglas, ComingSoon.net

  It's quite astounding to see Way taking huge spills at some of his jumps only to get back on his board and try again.

• Brent Simon, Shockya.com

  Another descendant of Stacy Peralta's influential Dogtown and Z-Boys, but more stylish and engaging than most of its less inquisitive, like-minded, hagiographic stunt spectaculars.

• Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune

  Director Jacob Rosenberg interviews Way and many of his friends, relations and peers, but he never digs too deeply or draws out of them much more than the clichéd "this is what he was born to do" talking points.

• Marc Mohan, Oregonian

  The line between fearlessness and idiocy can be a thin one, especially in this sport, and the doc never gets too far under Way's skin.

• David Noh, Film Journal International

  Even without its central subject actually weighing in, this likeably scruffy documentary tells you a lot about the impetus behind shredding and being gnarly.

• Chase Whale, Twitch

  Waiting for Lightning is a true underdog story that will make anyone feel invincible, even for just 90 minutes.

• Noah Lee, Film Threat

  Rosenberg has succeeded in putting together a compelling story of a man, who through many defeats, has always risen to success.

• Andrew Schenker, Slant Magazine

  With Danny Way almost never weighing in directly, the film's attempts to portray his story as an inspirational tale of triumph over adversity scarcely registers.

• Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

  It's not many Americans whose names are engraved on the Great Wall of China. Daredevil Danny May certainly deserves the honor. Get stoked.

Read all 17 critic reviews