Never Been Done: The Jon Comer Story

Professional skateboarder (and amputee) Jon Comer definitely has a sense of humor: in one of the opening shots of Matthew J. Powers' documentary profile, the 31-year-old Comer dons stereotypical pirate garb and proceeds to rip a half-pipe, peg-leg and all. Told through the stories of friends (including skate legends Tony Hawk and Steve Caballero), family, and Comer himself, Never Been Done is both a testament to the power of the human spirit and a love letter to skateboarding. Losing his right leg in a car accident at the age of five, Jon gravitated towards skateboarding as a means of recapturing the freedom he felt while running. Comer's positive attitude proved inspirational to others, and doctors filmed his athletic skills on the board to share with other young amputees. As his talent grew, Comer moved from being “that one-legged kid on a skateboard” to “that incredible skateboarder who has a prosthetic leg.” Not having a foot to feel some of the more subtle nuances of piloting a board has resulted in some spectacular (and downright painful to watch) wrecks, but Comer just picks himself up and tries again—an attitude that serves him well in the sport and life itself. DVD extras include audio commentary by the filmmakers and Comer, bonus interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from national skateboarding competitions. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: P. (C. Block)