The Movie

"I'm fighting for the innocence of skateboarding" - Mike Vallely

People in the skateboarding community know very well who Mike Vallely is. He's a fluid, aggressive skater who isn't afraid of what others think, and isn't afraid to push the limit. And although he may have a reputation for being unpredictable, and sometimes violent, he most definitely has a softer side, which is beautifully presented in his newest skate video by Mark Jeremias, Drive: My Life In Skateboarding.

In a bold break from the traditional, Vallely has put out a skate video with heart, and purpose. Mike V. has a goal in life, and that goal is to live life to the fullest, and help all those he can along the way. Drive is a movie about Vallely's life, and how skateboarding gave him direction, and molded his inner character to what it is today. Drive is a sincere film that shows how much he cares about the future of skating, and the children who give this ever-changing sport hope.

Drive takes you all around the world, from St. Petersburg, to Finland, to Alaska, and back to the continental United States. We follow Mike V. as he spreads his positive message across the globe, to help bring skateboarding back to its roots. Back to what it used to be, a form of outlet, personal expression, and way to bring people together.

Mike Vallely's life was uncertain for the majority of his younger years. He was a good kid who always seemed to find trouble. However his life changed forever in 1986, when legend pro skater Neil Blender saw him doing tricks in the parking lot at Trashmore Skate Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The very next day, skateboarding pro Lance Mountain gave Vallely a new board setup, and took him under his wing. Vallely says that was the greatest day of his skateboarding career. As a result of that day at Trashmore Park, Vallely instantly burst onto the skating scene by gracing the cover of Thrasher Magazine. Today Vallely is one of the most prominent professional skaters in the world, and dedicates his time, whenever possible, to visiting his fans around the globe to encourage their interests and love for the sport.

Drive has many touching moments. Such as Vallely telling of his love for his wife and two younger daughters, and how nothing matters more to him than his family. But what stands out the most in this documentary, is his trip to Florida to see Ryon Rommel, a 15-year-old boy with Leukemia. Vallely had communicated with Ryon via email, and knew of his situation. So Vallely (instead of merely sending him something in the mail) made a special trip out of to see Ryon, to give him a special day that he'll most likely cherish for the rest of his years. It was a moving gesture, and I could tell Vallely really enjoyed making a difference in the young man's life.

However, don't think this DVD is void of any great skating footage, because it isn't. There's plenty of hardcore skating action found here to keep even the most dedicated skater enthused. Personally though, I found the skating footage, along with his positive message, resulted in a much more moving and purposeful video, as opposed to the familiar run-and-gun style of videos we're used to seeing from professional skaters.

This DVD pleasantly surprised me. I most certainly wasn't expecting to see a skating video about someone's love for life, and love for the future of the sport. This is a beautifully shot and edited movie that looks every bit as good as it plays. The music is perfect, and the skating is fantastic. But more importantly, the message is profound. I hope Mike Vallely keeps this mission in motion, and never forgets his fans, or the little people who help make him the star he is today. And if this video is any indication, I don't doubt he will.

The DVD

Video: Drive is presented in 1.33:1 full screen. This is a beautiful looking movie. Besides the wonderful editing, what makes the biggest impression, are how rich and powerful the colors appear. The hues seem to pop right off the screen, and are extremely vibrant. The transfer also looks very good, as I could not readily spot any large degree of edge enhancement anywhere. Some scenes have a gritty look, but could be a result of different styles of cameras used. I think Drive looks better than it really had to.

Audio: Drive comes with a Dolby Digital stereo audio track. The dialogue is very easy to hear, and never requires adjusting the volume to understand what is being said. Also, the music used throughout the video sounds great. Overall, for this style of release, this DVD sounded better than I was expecting.

Extras: Here you'll find just a few extra features. I enjoyed what was given here; however, I would have liked to see a blooper featurette, or even a "wrecks" supplement. I know that Vallely had to have wrecked more than what was shown on the movie, so I don't think it would have been too much to ask to slap together some footage to make a nice extra feature. Not that I indulge myself in seeing others suffer, mind you, but it's nice for the young kids out there to see even professionals are human and make mistakes.

FDR Session: This is a short (1:50) extra look at Vallely skating at the FDR skate park.

Drive Trailer: This is the movie trailer for Drive.

On Video Pro's Choice: This is a very short (1:11) featurette on Mike V. talking about his decision to go and do a 12-day cross-country unannounced trip to various skate parks.

Stand Strong Commercial: This is a commercial for Vallely's other renowned skate video, Stand Strong.


Final Thoughts

For those of you out there who think all skateboarders are punks who like to trash your neighborhood parks and ruin your Sunday outdoor get-togethers, this DVD is a must-see. Watching this movie shows you the other side of this highly misunderstood sport. It shows you the children who skate for fun, who skate to be with their friends, and who skate because they love it more than anything. I think Mike Vallely is doing a commendable job at spreading his message across the world, and I feel this DVD is a wonderful contribution to the skateboarding community. Drive is an honest movie that offers a truly unique perspective about skateboarding, and the people who love it so. Highly Recommended