Wonderful character development!

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

To be fair about this: I skimmed though the film and it not my "style". BUT the film looks like a good film for those that like surfing, skateboarding, biographies or for a fan of Heath Ledger (RIP).From what I saw of this film - I think it's a good biography if you are interested in the story of these guys, the Z-Boys. I for one am not interested in surfing or skateboarding but that does not mean this film is bad - that just mean it's not a film for me.I acquired this film in a Heath Ledger film pack and I have nothing against the film, the cast, the Z-Boys or anything else - it's just not my my type film.5/10

This is a really great movie with a sad story of friends having a passion for skating but letting fame come in between them. In my opinion, this is a very underrated movie. The film included significant events that made skating what it is today, which is a bonus to me, especially since I skated a lot. I think the actors deserve much praise as well. To me, they made the movie seem not like movie at all, that Z skaters were just being filmed during their glory days, but I'm not in any way saying that the production was botched, just very good acting. After seeing the movie rating this movie 9 out 10 seemed right. If this film were become perfect it would need to be remastered for quality.

Director Catherine Hardwicke, who helped a few teenagers discover the versatility of the tongue in "Thirteen" (2003), takes an impressive cast and crew back to the year 1975. The "Disco" storm was crashing airwaves, but not at Venice Beach, California. There, the pre-punk "Lords of Dogtown" ramped up skateboarding "to the extreme" and made it a sport.Opening with the familiar phrase, "Inspired by a true story," this is a fictionalized film version of the superior documentary "Dogtown and Z-Boys" (2001) - which anyone interested in skateboarding as sport should see. Hardwicke's young "Lords" are Emile Hirsch (as Jay Adams), Victor Rasuk (as Tony Alva), and John Robinson (as Stacy Peralta). They are introduced in an excellent opening sequence, but the story doesn't get off the ground until about halfway through. We get a lot of documentary-styled scenes - which don't really do anything to improve upon "Dogtown and Z-Boys" - before getting to know the three leading men. It might be interesting to see Mr. Peralta's original story idea, because much of this story seems whitewashed.Crack a board, bro… The real drama herein arguably centers on Mr. Hirsch's character. The three actors are fine, but Hirsch is given the best material. As his sexy, sand-blasted mother, Rebecca De Mornay (as Philaine) helps. And, Hirsch gets to sing the "Slinky" theme song. Watch for a truly magical moment when, after losing a contest, Hirsch sails off the pier; photographed beautifully by Elliot Davis, it combines the thrills you experience surfing and skateboarding. Also on hand, in an stumbling and underwritten role, is wasted surfer Heath Ledger (as Skip Engblom). Better utilized is the role played by fellow traveler Michael Angarano (as Sid). He helps give the film an unexpected, uplifting ending by taking the three estranged "Lords" back to their roots.****** Lords of Dogtown (6/3/05) Catherine Hardwicke ~ Emile Hirsch, Victor Rasuk, John Robinson, Heath Ledger

I recognised the title of the film, but I had no idea what the story was about, or that it is based on true events. Basically it is all about a group of brilliant young skateboarders, known as the Z-Boys, raised in the mean streets of Dogtown in Santa Monica, California. They are perfecting their techniques in empty swimming pools of unsuspecting suburban homeowners, pioneering a thrilling new sport and taking part in skateboard contests. Starring The Girl Next Door's Emile Hirsch as Jay Adams, Victor Rasuk as Tony Alva, John Robinson as Stacy Peralta, Michael Angarano as Sid, Nikki Reed as Kathy Alva, Heath Ledger as Skip, Rebecca De Mornay as Philaine, Johnny Knoxville as Topper Burks, Ugly Betty's America Ferrera as Thunder Monkey, the real Jay Adams as Party Guest, the real Tony Alva as Oregon Man at Party, Charles Napier as Nudie, the real Stacy Peralta as TV Director, Tony Hawk as Astronaut, Alexis Arquette as Tranny, and a special appearance by YouTube star Tillman the skateboarding bulldog. For me the only good reason to see this film is for some familiar faces, the skateboarding tricks and a pretty good soundtrack, that's about it. Worth watching!