MODERN COLLECTIVE FILM REVIEW
[22.12.2009] Category: Surf film
MODERN COLLECTIVE
A review by THE COLT
"The must have surf film...welcome to the NOW!" - THE COLT
About
Modern Collective is the debut and epic release from Kai Neville.
You've seen the trailers, you've read the hype, now check out our full
write up of the film that has brought 'today's' surfing to life. Filmed across a number of locations around the globe and featuring Dusty Payne, Dion Agius, Dane Reynolds, Mitch Coleborn and Jordy Smith. A surf film that breaks all the barriers and performs the previously thought 'impossible'...
Review
Insert disc. Hit play. Intro."This record is a message to young people, to people under the age of 25...and certainly to people under the age of 40. If you're over the age of 40 I'm not sure you should listen...listen...listen.."
The gospel is spoken...
Modern Collective (call it MC, call it the Collective...whatever) is hands down one of the best surf films to grace our modern day. I don't care if you're not into progressive surfing, young punks, gnarly shore breaks or onshore slop, this film will change your tune. This is a surf film that surfers of all ages, sex, looks and IQ levels will appreciate not only for the phenomenal surfing, but for Kai's (editor) touch of magic.
You can be forgiven for thinking Modern Collective is a thrashy, high octane surf film, but it's a whole lot more than that. Modern Collective combines elite surfing, a NY night club soundtrack, contemporary cinematography and 100% steeze. Kai Neville has made a modern day marvel, bringing to life a true showcase of the current surfing world and the top characters who've set the scene.
From the start, you're lured into a trance like state via smoke, lasers and surreal sounds. It's an intro like no other, setting the scene for the rest of the film and one that I loved. You hit play, the music rolls and you're locked in for an action-packed air show that puts top gun to shame. This futuristic and this finely crafted piece will have you amped.
If you have a love for photography or cinematography then you'll be blown away with what Kai's captured. Kai bridges the gap between still photography and film with his creative use of focal points, colours and editing techniques.
I enjoyed the fact that Kai didn't follow the norm by breaking the film into 'surfer' sections that focus on one surfer at a time. Modern Collective is put together by sessions, covering locations around the world, in various sizes and conditions.
As for the surfers, each brings something fresh to the table, but for me the stand outs were Dane, Jordy and Dion.
Jordy because he's an animal! Seriously this kid punts bigger than anyone and tears the bag out of every wave he rides. He'll pull into a barrel, come out with amazing speed, fly up into a full alley-oop, land with style, drive back off the bottom into a sweeping carve and then repeat.
Dane is Dane and his surfing is beautiful, there's no other word to describe it. I dig his effortless style, and despite an ankle injury during filming, he still put on an amazing display.
Dion had me frothing on every wave. I've been a fan of the D man for a while, but watching his backhand surfing is all time. I haven't seen someone that consistent with critical backhand pocket snaps since Occy. They're all performed with amazing precision, power and style.
Mitch and Dusty ripped throughout the entire film, but Dane, Dion and Jordy were the standouts for me.
The soundtrack is off the hook and blends in perfectly with every session. It's currently playing over time in the mesurf office!
The film runs for 60min which is pretty long for a surf film and if you don't have a spare hour, you can watch any of the individual sessions and still walk away frothing. I've watched it 3 times start to finish and I've got something new out of it each time. To be fair, there's a lot of repetition when it comes to alley-oops and air reverses and a few could have been cut out but that's my only criticism.
Verdict
GET IT! You'll watch it time and time again over the next decade and has set a very high bar. Kai's done an awesome job in capturing the 'new' progressive surfers who are showcasing today's surfing pinnacle, along with amazing cinematography, music and editing.
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