First Descent
reviewed by Jane Louise Boursaw
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MPAA Rating: |
Star Rating: |
| 10+ |
PG-13 |
**** |
 Talk about taking things to the edge. That's just what five snowboarders do when they're dropped off by helicopter on the biggest mountain of their lives and have no choice but to get to the bottom -- on their own. But these aren't your average Joes. They're icons in the vertigo-inducing world of snowboarding, and all have their own reasons for coming to the mountain: Shawn Farmer and Nick Perata to see if they still have what it takes; Terje Haakonsen to add another credit to his Big Mountain resume; and Shaun White and Hannah Teter to take on their biggest challenge yet.
PRE-SCHOOLER (ages 2-5): The under-5 crowd won't find much to keep them entertained in this thoughtful documentary. Better to tune them into something more age-appropriate -- try "Extreme Sports Fun" or "Extreme Adventure Fun" from Goofy, Mickey and the gang.
GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6-10): Even if your kids know nothing about snowboarding, maybe seeing these fearless five challenge themselves will make an impact. On the other hand, there should be a "don't try this at home" warning at the beginning of the movie. There is some language and one drug reference, so consider that when deciding whether your kids should see this film.
TWEEN/TEEN (ages 11+): This movie gives the back-story of the rebellious, inspiring and controversial rise of snowboarding over the last 30 or so years. It's a young sport compared to skiing and ice-skating, but it's changed many lives in its short reign. You don't have to be an afficionado of snowboarding to be thrilled by the stories told in this documentary -- and the snow-covered landscapes where they take place.
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Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance writer specializing in the television and movie industry. Her syndicated column, "Reel Life With Jane," is published in papers throughout the country. Email her at jboursaw@charter.net.
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