20th Century Fox Home Entertainment will release on Blu-ray directors Michael Apted and Curtis Hanson's Chasing Mavericks (2012), starring Jonny Weston, Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue, and Abigail Spencer. The release will be available for purchase on February 26th.
Official synopsis: Chasing Mavericks is the inspirational true story of real life surfing phenom Jay Moriarity (played by newcomer Jonny Weston). When 15 year old Jay discovers that the mythic Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, is not only real, but exists just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he enlists the help of local legend Frosty Hesson (played by Gerard Butler) to train him to survive it. As Jay and Frosty embark on their quest to accomplish the impossible, they form a unique friendship that transforms both their lives, and their quest to tame Mavericks becomes about far more than surfing. Chasing Mavericks was made with the help of some of the biggest names in the surfing world, and features some of the most mind-blowing real wave footage ever captured on film.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary with Michael Apted, Brandon Hooper and Jim Meenaghan
I really wanted to catch this in theaters, having lived in Santa Cruz for 7 years but alas never got a chance. This will definitely be a rare day 1 blind purchase for me.
I enjoyed this a great deal. Gerard Butler delivers a very strong performance as Jay's mentor; in my opinion, he is a gifted actor who far too often headlines projects unworthy of his talent and charm (similar to Matthew McConaughey a few years ago). The surfing sequences are GORGEOUS. And while it is an inspirational sports picture, it never becomes too cute or sentimental. It just has a real respect for its subject and tries to capture it on film honestly. So, I recommend people give this a chance despite its reputation as a major flop.
