December 8, 2014

Plan B True Review

Last week saw the release of Plan B’s True – one of the most anticipated films to come out in a while. I wouldn’t call it Fully Flared levels of freak-out but people have been speculating on it for quite a while.

The first thing to say is that this film is not designed to have the Hollywood polish that a lot of the films that come out now have. The editing is sharp and the shots are great. But don’t go in expecting dolly shots, drones and cranes. This is way more lo-fi. Even down to the sound engineering – this sounds like a modern version of the second tier skate films from the mid-90’s. That’s no bad thing. The style of this got me all nostalgic without having to go back in time on trick levels and fashion. But that’s a nice lead in to …

The opening scene is the Mike Ternasky tribute and it is awesome. For those that don’t know the story, Ternasky founded Plan B in 1991 with Colin MCKay and Danny way. After two amazing video releases, he passed away at age 28 in a car accident on May 17th, 1994. The tribute is simple, it’s not over-blown and that makes it all the more powerful. You can’t watch it and not wish you’d met the guy.

The opening part goes to new kid Chris Joslin who, as seen by his Welcome clip for Etnies, can put it down. Felipe Gustavo’s is set to Rick Ross’ Pirates and is all the style you’ve come to expect from the young Brazilian. Ryan Sheckler continues to (successfully) push away his past and show what he can do – there’s nothing in his part that is small and wouldn’t require a clean pair of shorts should I be asked to do it… Just check the opening shot to his part. Sketchy and freaking scary. 

The ender goes to Torey Pudwill but he’s a feature through the film. It feels like he is the glue for the team right now – the guy couldn’t be more likeable and he backs that with some incredible style. I think the first time I took notice of Pudwill was the teaser for Transworld’s Hallelujah in 2010. He’s taking that effortlessness to a whole new level dropping rail combos like it’s an early 2000’s snowboard film.

True was directed by Erik Bragg and runs 44 minutes. It’s definitely one to own – I’m looking forward to may, many re-watches of this.

You can re-watch the trailer for Plan B’s True here.

by Dave