Date: 7/31/02
Author: Chris Brooksby

Related Items:
Cadmium Productions BoomBox Teaser

I want to start off by telling you I really like this video, a lot. Because I work in a wakeboard shop pretty much every day, I get to see a lot of videos and some definitely stand above the others. This is one of those videos. Ever since "Running with Scissors" came out and had such a unique style of editing and sound, I have been looking forward to another video to come out from Justin Stephens. The bottom line is you should stop reading this now and go out and buy it. If my telling you this is not enough, then know that it also comes with a CD of the music in the video, which is super cool if you like the music. If not, it makes a good coaster. So, with that said, I'll get on with the review.

The movie starts to get its groove on by showing Shawn Watson at his house. Shawn starts off by showing us what we all expect it is like to be a pro wakeboarder by waking up at what we can only guess is probably noon or later. He talks about how he is coming off of a knee injury that kept him on the sidelines for almost a year. In one scene, we see Shawn standing on a balcony overlooking a lake reflecting on his last year, and in the next, he is getting busy behind the boat. I love this segment. If you like Shawn's riding you are going to like this as he digs deep into his bag of tricks with both hands and shows us that he is ready to go ridin' with those big stylish spins that he is known for.

Next up is Chad Sharpe. If you are a fan of Sharpe and his riding, you may be disappointed because his section is so short. However, it's still full of good stuff. Chad charges the wake and sliders in his typical maniacal fashion. You know, so hard that it makes your stomach hurt.

The next segment of the video is all about Shane Bonifay and this segment rocks! Shane's riding is so stylish with huge pokes, grabs and tweaks. Justin's camera angles and unique style of editing really add a lot to this section. Shane's riding certainly stands on its own off the wake or a slider, but I feel that Justin's editing really takes it to another level. Buy the movie and you'll understand.

Now that the movie is rolling along pretty well, it is time to break up the usual riding stuff with the "Pointless Jib." All I'll say about this section is that it's what every wakeboarder dreams of doing in their yard if only their wife or parents would leave the house long enough to pull it off.

Holy smokes! How did Brian Grubb get so good on a wakeskate? Brian throws things on a skate that most people wish they could throw with bindings on. I especially like the part of this section where the chase boat is following directly behind Grubb riding, and he is going wake to wake throwing 180's, blind 180's, varials, etc. He even jumps off of a boat house and rides away just for good measure. Buy this video and a wakeskate.

I don't know why, but every video has a crash section in it. I think it goes back to surf movies, but I'm not quite sure. Anyway, like the others, Boombox has a crash section. In fact, it's got a pretty good one, even though the choice of music makes me crack up every time I hear it. It is the most calming peaceful music ever used in a wakeboard video. Picture guys getting wrecked to something you would listen to at Nordstrom's. One thing serious about this section is Danny Harf's encounter with the business end of a slider. Someone once told me that pain makes you feel alive. Well, let's just say that Danny must feel very much alive!

Next up: a day at Byerly's house. Imagine spending the day wakeskating and riding with the godfather of style and Brian Grubb, and then having Shane Bonifay, Erik Ruck and Francois Roy stop by to chill and do a little riding, and you have pretty much got the idea. Lots of great riding and a bass shaped mailbox.

One of the most anticipated sequences in any recent wakeboard video always seems to be Parks's sequence. As usual, Parks throws stuff that leaves everyone slack jawed. But what stands out in this section is Parks going off about his chase boat driving skills. Now I haven't seen Parks drive a chase boat, but apparently he has got some skills.

About the only one who seems to question Parks' talent as a chase boat driver is Nick Weinaker, who apparently has some skills of his own behind the wheel. What we do see in the video is that he definitely has some talent behind the boat and, as a member of the Pointless Posse, that doesn't come as too much of a surprise. His riding is super clean and stylish. It is cool to see different riders rather than the usual guys who tear it up.

A couple of sections in this video really shine and Gregg Necrason's is one of those. I have to admit that Gregg is one of my favorite riders and his riding seems to be in perfect synchronization with Justin's creative style of filming and editing. The helicopter shots in Gregg's section are so unreal you have to see them for yourself because I cannot do them justice in this review. The first time that I watched this section I must have hit rewind five or six times. I cannot get enough of his giant sized pokes, grabs and super late spins.

Another of the Pointless Posse that we don't get to see too often is Francois Roy. His riding in this video is really solid. Francois throws some cool variations of tricks that look great with Justin's style of filming.

The rider segment showcases Danny Harf, who continues to amaze me with his style of riding and creativity to try new things. I think that Justin does a really good job of showing Danny's personality. One minute he goofing around on a couple of hammocks and the next he is charging the wake. Check him out charging the wake heelside and in the split second before he hits it sliding the board to revert. It gives me a headache to even think about trying it. Lastly we get to see Danny cruising in his ride, Deuce Deuce.

In addition to all of the great riders segments, this video has lots of the usual shots showing your favorite riders goofing around at the end. The DVD version has even more added features and footage.

I judge videos by whether they make me want to go wakeboarding after I finish watching them, or, even better, if they make me want to turn the video off and go hit the water immediately. This video makes me want to go riding every time a segment finishes. If you are a fan of wakeboard videos, you owe it to yourself to go out and buy this video. While you are at it, pick up "Running With Scissors" as well. You won't be disappointed.

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