DVD: Dogtown and Z-Boys
I never realized how much I care about skateboarding, which must be a sign that Stacy Peralta’s documentary about the emergence and transformation of skateboarding is a success. While watching the film, I forgot about nearly everything that is important to me. Peralta made the transition from clay to urethane skateboard wheels seem like more of an American landmark than when we landed on the moon.
Stacy Peralta was one of the original Z-Boys, and according to his documentary, probably one of the most important and successful. The rest of the Z-Boys seem to agree, but than again, as the Z-Boys’ stories unfold, they each seem like the most important. Peralta’s documentary may be more autobiographical, but if so, that is its only weakness (aside from the fact that the film is narrated by Sean Penn, who can make any subject depressing—at least his monologues are brief). Maybe the Z-Boys didn’t have that much of an impact on the world of skateboarding. But even if they didn’t, I don’t care. The story, though probably biased and over-glamorized at times, reminds me of a child listening to the wisdom-filled and adventure-filled stories that a grandfather would tell. And just like a child listening to stories from ages ago, I know nothing about skateboarding, so I can hardly tell the difference anyway.
The footage of the Zephyr skate team, Venice Beach and Dogtown is exactly what you would hope for. Scratchy and damaged, the recordings look like they were all created in the ‘60s and ‘70s on 8mm film. Some of this may be post-production for effect, but the look and feel of the footage combined with the excellent soundtrack give the film authenticity.
Seeing the transition from the stiff, technical skateboarding style of the ‘60s to the loose, low-riding, surf-influenced style of the Z-boys was enthralling. Throughout the film, Peralta and his gang talk about how important ‘style’ was—that if you skated stiffly and awkwardly, that it was no fun to watch. You had to have ‘style’. The Zephyr team not only had ‘style’, but also attitude. The Z-boys of Dogtown likely were the first skater punks.
The story of Dogtown is essentially told by the Z-boys today. The present day interviews intermingled with the clips from the ‘70s give a human touch to the story, showing you their successes and failures. The pinnacle moment when Tony Alva does the first aerial skate trick was just about the biggest climax I’ve ever experienced in a documentary. The story also wouldn’t be worth telling without the amazing photography of Craig Stecyk, the Z-boys photographer whose work appeared with the original articles about Dogtown in “Skateboarder” magazine.
I have a feeling the fictionalized Lords of Dogtown won't be half as good as this film. Peralta definitely has 'style.' If there was any question as to who the pioneers of freestyle vert skating were, there’s isn’t anymore.
Final Grade: 4.5 cents.
Stacy Peralta was one of the original Z-Boys, and according to his documentary, probably one of the most important and successful. The rest of the Z-Boys seem to agree, but than again, as the Z-Boys’ stories unfold, they each seem like the most important. Peralta’s documentary may be more autobiographical, but if so, that is its only weakness (aside from the fact that the film is narrated by Sean Penn, who can make any subject depressing—at least his monologues are brief). Maybe the Z-Boys didn’t have that much of an impact on the world of skateboarding. But even if they didn’t, I don’t care. The story, though probably biased and over-glamorized at times, reminds me of a child listening to the wisdom-filled and adventure-filled stories that a grandfather would tell. And just like a child listening to stories from ages ago, I know nothing about skateboarding, so I can hardly tell the difference anyway.
The footage of the Zephyr skate team, Venice Beach and Dogtown is exactly what you would hope for. Scratchy and damaged, the recordings look like they were all created in the ‘60s and ‘70s on 8mm film. Some of this may be post-production for effect, but the look and feel of the footage combined with the excellent soundtrack give the film authenticity.
Seeing the transition from the stiff, technical skateboarding style of the ‘60s to the loose, low-riding, surf-influenced style of the Z-boys was enthralling. Throughout the film, Peralta and his gang talk about how important ‘style’ was—that if you skated stiffly and awkwardly, that it was no fun to watch. You had to have ‘style’. The Zephyr team not only had ‘style’, but also attitude. The Z-boys of Dogtown likely were the first skater punks.
The story of Dogtown is essentially told by the Z-boys today. The present day interviews intermingled with the clips from the ‘70s give a human touch to the story, showing you their successes and failures. The pinnacle moment when Tony Alva does the first aerial skate trick was just about the biggest climax I’ve ever experienced in a documentary. The story also wouldn’t be worth telling without the amazing photography of Craig Stecyk, the Z-boys photographer whose work appeared with the original articles about Dogtown in “Skateboarder” magazine.
I have a feeling the fictionalized Lords of Dogtown won't be half as good as this film. Peralta definitely has 'style.' If there was any question as to who the pioneers of freestyle vert skating were, there’s isn’t anymore.
Final Grade: 4.5 cents.
Zimm's two cents. | 1:34 AM
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