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Riding Giants
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4

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  1. RayRay
    Jul 12, 2004
    9
    Simply a spectacular movie. If you've ever experienced a sense of wonder watching a ski movie, a surf video, or a skateboard flick, you'll be pulling your hair out watching some of these guys challenge these faces. The Mavericks sequence is particularly touching. This is truly must-see film in my book.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ChadS.
    Jul 9, 2004
    8
    As a fan of most major sports, especially baseball, it intrigues me to see the same paradox turn up in "Riding Waves", which is trying to gauge greatness comparisons across generations. You can't call an athlete the greatest-of-all-time; greatest of his/her generation, yes. The advent and ongoing advancement of technology and weight training make for circumstances that are hardly static. Laird Hamilton is the Barry Bonds, and Greg Noll is the Mickey Mantle of surfing. "Riding Waves" is at its apex, comedy-wise, when Noll is talking; and exhiliration-wise, when Hamilton is in action. Stacy Peralta delivers the goods for surfing fanatics, and human interest stories for film fanatics. Peralta's next goal should be to make the definitive, or, at least watchable, dramatic surfing-themed film. … Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. VinceH.
    Aug 14, 2004
    8
    I wasn't a big fan of Stacy Peralta's "Dogtown & Z-Boys", so needless to say I wasn't expecting much when I went to see this. But I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Peralta has crafted a hugely entertaining and insightful look into the lives and death-defying activities of big wave surfers. He not only makes us understand the risk and danger, but also the pleasure and transcencdence these guys must feel when they catch a big wave. The segment with the endearing Laird Hamilton was my fav.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Pete Vonder Haar
    90
    One of the best surfing documentaries ever filmed.
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  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Scott Foundas
    80
    Offers a highly engaging immersion into a culture of larger-than-life characters driven by their thrill-seeking instincts.
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  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Benjamin Strong
    80
    Peralta has become a more relaxed filmmaker, and when he trusts the haunting sight of a giant wave breaking to speak for itself, the movie reaches the sublime heights of its subject.
    Read full review
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