Date: 3/5/02
Author: David Williams

I remember watching Thomas Horrell's last flick, Decline of the Waterski Monopoly. At the time it was just what we needed in a wakeboarding video. Thomas threw in all kinds of artsy imagery that kept the viewer on their toes and made it a little more interesting. With Linear Perspective, he takes this style a lot further. Maybe too far.

Take the percentage of non-wakeboarding content in Monopoly and double it. That's what you've got to be ready for when you slip in this tape. Some, probably those more sophisticated than I, will love it. I found myself longing for the sight of a board of some sort on my screen. The total running time on this video is a little over 20 minutes, but about 7 or 8 of those are arts and crafts time. I'm not sure that you can fill much more than 30 minutes with just wakeskating, but I felt they could have provided a little more. At least they priced it accordingly, so you'll find it five to ten dollars cheaper than most other videos.

My lack of appreciation for too much art in my wake videos aside, if you're remotely interested in wakeskating, you should probably pick up a copy of Linear Perspective. It gives a snapshot of where the sport is right now and fully displays the incredible talents of the entire Cassette bindingless bunch featuring:

• Tim Kovacich
• Jim Leatherman
• Myles Vickers
• Chris Mack
• Cole Munster
• Drew McGuckin
• Danny Vansura
• Thomas Horrell

I watched it a couple of times and kept finding new stuff to be amazed about. Wakeskating is still pretty young and there's a lot left to do in this sport, but where these guy have taken it so far is pretty impressive. That being said, when you get to Thomas' section, you'll see everything go up to a whole new level. He almost does the sport a disservice because he makes everything he does look so easy, yet anyone who's ever tried wakeskating knows how difficult and frustrating it can be to pull the simplest maneuver. He does an excellent job of translating basic skate moves into "basic" wakeskate moves. His tricks are fluid, clean and sewn together like he's been doing it for 20 years. His section alone makes this video worthwhile.

The music is a little lower key throughout than what you'd probably expect, but I thought it flowed well with the flavor of the riding. It features:

• Bright Eyes
• Milemarker
• Fugazi
• Swamburger and Beef Wellington
• Trans Am
• Built To Spill
• Clint Mansell

It looks like it's done mostly with video, but there is some 16 mm thrown in the mix. However, with all the effects and color changes added, it's tough to tell which is which.

If you're looking for quantity, this video will fall short. However, if you're looking for quality, the current state of wakeskating and a possible Cannes Film Festival finalist, Linear Perspective might be the ticket.

To pick up a copy online, click here to go to BuyWake.com.

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