Why is it one of the best movies this year? Inspirational message - Overcome your fears by identifying them first. Fear is good, panic is bad. Anything is possible with discipline, dedication and hard work. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, if you try hard enough (or look past the waves), you can find a solution. So all in all, Chasing Mavericks is a positive, spirit-lifting movie. The movie is based on a true story, which makes these positive messages more relevant and applicable.

Entertaining movie – There were some sad moments, some happy moments, but the whole time, everything was very engrossing and entertaining. After watching some movies, you don't want to think about them, because the negativity or sadness in them is too deeply scarring or the message is too emotionally challenging.

In Chasing Mavericks, you are left with the same kind of message (sometimes when you test your limits, the limits test you), without the emotional scarring and disturbing imagery or strange questions in your mind, like what did that mean or did they have to show it in that way? Instead, you feel like both your time and money were well spent on watching the movie, and you receive all these positive messages of hope and the inspiration to overcome challenges in your life. Simultaneously, an admiration for the extreme sport lifestyle, especially scuba diving and surfing, is also kindled.

Good overall execution – great acting by Gerard Butler, the lady who plays his wife and the protagonist. Gerard Butler looked the part from his skin tone, physique, personality and style - clothing and hairstyle. The movie felt like it was true to the era it was depicting (I think so anyways). The protagonist looked believable as the character he was playing. If this kid can play a different (perhaps negative) role and be believable in that, he may be one of the greats.

OK, yeah, I rated it excellent because Chasing Mavericks was a 10 for its genre, IMO. Better than I thought it would be - this story of Jay Moriarty was heart-felt and well-acted. Gerard Butler was spot on for guys like that in Santa Cruz at that time. Jonny Weston was surprisingly good, too, portraying Jay Moriarty.

I loved this movie, the surfing scenes were photographed well. And the scenes around Santa Cruz brought back good memories. It was a throw-back to those movies that were not CG'd out, action flicks, super-heros, etc. (all of which I love BTW). It has a home-grown feeling with interesting colors and nice photography. I lived in the Santa Cruz surfing scene, although not a surfer myself, and really enjoyed the memories of hearing about Mavericks.

Very cool movie about a good and amazingly talented young surfer and his mentor. Surfing is a tight community, esp. back then. I think reviewers who may use the term "sappy" just don't realize how sappy/cool they were! Awesome film that I think young and old will really enjoy.