X Games: The Movie

Apart from the 3-D of the theatrical release (not featured on the DVD version), this ESPN produced documentary isn't appreciably different from others that have showcased skateboarders, stock car drivers, cyclists, and other “extreme” athletes. While the material shot at the 2008 X-Games competition in Los Angeles is certainly interesting, it doesn't substantially improve on typical TV coverage, with endless replays of jumps, spills, and victory dances, and lame commentary from the live cable feed. Presumably the come-on here is the behind-the-scenes footage of athletes practicing and offering their own comments—Travis Pastrana, Kyle Loza, and Shaun White are especially loquacious—in a stream of clichés (if you removed “pushing the limits,” “you never know what he's going to do,” and “taking it to a new level” from their vocabulary, they would be nearly mute). However, their remarks seem fresh compared to the narration, which consists of a string of strained similes, flowery prose, oracular pronouncements, and dippy dicta so overblown it must heard to be disbelieved, especially as flatly delivered by Emile Hirsch. Not recommended. (F. Swietek)