Drive - My Life In Skateboarding: Mike Vallely

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Audience Member Not your average skateboarding video, this 50-minute film eschews the handicam-shot skate sequence pastiche and sponsored rider feature approach and focuses on the career of one [url="http://www.mikevallely.com/"]Mike Vallely[/url]. The principled pro discusses how he became involved in skateboarding, his early relationships with skaters like Neil Blender and Lance Mountain, and his first appearance in [i][url="http://www.thrashermagazine.com/"]Thrasher[/url][/i] magazine. Interspersed with the autobiographical segments are many solid skate sequences, shot in a more sedate film style than many hyperkinetic skate videos. Although Vallely is an amazing skater, this slower approach and single-skater focus makes the movie a little sleepy at times. Nevertheless, it's shot impressively, and the choice skate locations are quite beautifully visually. But this is more than a skate flick. Vallely spends some time with Ian Mackaye, who expands on the connection between skating and punk rock -- as well as the positive impact each can have. In fact, the film is largely framed by Vallely's active tour schedule, and he talks about his role as an ambassador and agent of change around the world. While his outreach and efforts to be a positive role model is impressive and inspiring, there's a slightly preachy and slightly self-congratulatory element to Vallely's work that I'm not quite sure how I feel about. Beyond that, the depth and importance Vallely gives skating doesn't always resonate. Many -- perhaps most -- kids just skate. And other role models in the scene, say, Tony Hawk, focus as much on the commercial aspects of the "sport" as they do on its possibility to make social change and help further self-expression. For that reason, among others, Vallely self-describes himself as an outsider ("My trip has always been a solo one.") who doesn't play by the rules of the industry, contests, and social gatherings. Yet the skate footage gleaned from his contest involvement is some of the most aggressive and creative in the film. (Also check out the urban skating and pushing sequences at the very end: wow.) In the end, it's heartwarming to see Vallely working one on one with new skaters and visiting a fan who's a cancer patient -- and to know that there's a pro with such strong ideas and ideals. I wish there were skaters like him. Netflix: [url="http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?movieid=60026525&mqso=60178549"]Drive[/url] Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Drive - My Life In Skateboarding: Mike Vallely

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