X Games 3D: The Movie (2009)

40% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(8,900 ratings)

Steve Lawrence's documentary traces the lives of many athletes competing at the annual X Games. Using state-of-the-art 3-D technology, the filmmakers put the viewer right alongside such celebrated athletes as snowboarder Shaun White, Travis Pastrana, and Danny Way as they show off their… More Steve Lawrence's documentary traces the lives of many athletes competing at the annual X Games. Using state-of-the-art 3-D technology, the filmmakers put the viewer right alongside such celebrated athletes as snowboarder Shaun White, Travis Pastrana, and Danny Way as they show off their world-renowned skills. In addition to all the in-your-face action, the athletes offer a glimpse into their personal lives -- explaining what motivates their drive to compete. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Steve Lawrence
Written By: Greg Jennings
Genres: Documentary, Sports & Fitness

In Theaters: Aug 21, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Jan 12, 2010
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Critic Reviews

Adam Markovitz, Entertainment Weekly
Aside from unrevealing sit-downs with a few key players, X-Games 3D: The Movie is mostly an overlong demo reel of increasingly gutsy tricks.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Unfocused and underwhelming, X Games 3D is most notable as a missed opportunity.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
This feature is X-treme only in its multidimensional dullness, which is compounded by interviews in which the interchangeable thrillbots discuss themselves and each other with an immense lack of insight.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
This is more a highlights reel than a movie, but there's not a film out there that can top the drama of Danny Way jumping the Great Wall of China by skateboard -- with a broken ankle.
Robert Abele, Chicago Tribune
Although the competitions are undoubtedly impressive achievements in the daredevil arts, as a record of what these mentally tough participants do, it too often feels like a warmed-over energy drink.
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
This promotion for the ESPN event is poorly written, contains too much hero worship and profiles too many events.
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
You might enjoy this oddball ESPN documentary about extreme sports including skateboarding, motorcycling and motocross. Mostly, I think, it's aimed at kids and/or extreme sports enthusiasts.
Drew Toal, Time Out New York
Such dime-store philosophy, coupled with the running commentary from the Games' heinously Spicoli-esque announcers, ruins an otherwise gripping, in-your-face experience.
Andrew Wright, The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
A slick, fawning, shamelessly commercial puff piece that occasionally hits on an eye-popping image and just goes sick.
Gary Wolcott, Tri-City Herald
The highlight is a contest of wills between three contestants of the extreme skateboarding of the Slam event. It is heavy drama worth the price of the ticket.
Ross Anthony, Hollywood Report Card
A dirt bike motorcycle enthusiast as well as a 3D aficionado, I had a great time overall, despite the film's imperfections.
Dan Lybarger, eFilmCritic.com
There's some jaw dropping eye candy in 'X Games 3D: The Movie,' but there are also wasted opportunities.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
Has stunning 3D visuals which briefly provide a rush of adrenaline, but it often feels too dull while lacking insight and suspense as well as palpable excitement.
James Rocchi, Common Sense Media
Sports documentary is full of sights -- and salesmanship.
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
Those of us who prefer the winter edition of the X Games -- snowboarding and all that - would be happy to watch a counterpart film to this one, with a bit of snow. Just a hint, ESPN.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Be aware that the action is so extreme it verges on being a sports snuff film.
Jim Judy, Screen It!
Parental Content Review
Mark Keizer, Boxoffice Magazine
Lawrence isn't asking us to consider these deeper thoughts. He's in it for the thrills, with no interest in the wives, children or friends who worry about the life these men have chosen.
Nell Minow, Beliefnet
3D is X-treme film-making and thus well suited to the X Games, hyper-intense, hyper-dangerous, hyper-what are they thinking? sports that are closer to stunts.