I'd only heard of the sport a few times before, but seeing kiteboarding in action---at least on DVD, as January in Pennsylvania is neither the time nor the place for it---is perhaps the best way to get introduced. It's essentially a hybrid of water-skiing, windsurfing and (of course) kite-flying that, above all else, looks really fun. I'd probably spend more time in the water than above it, but seeing Into the Air should be enough to make anyone want to give kiteboarding a shot.

Shot entirely on location in Puerto Rico, Into the Air features a cast of diverse athletes eager to share their enthusiasm for the sport. Among others, you'll hear from established kiteboarders like Andy Hurdman, Renee Hanks, Nina Johansson, Sam Bell and Kevin "Top Hat" Senn, each proficient in their own unique style and growing level of talent. It's especially nice to see near-equal attention paid to the ladies and gentleman associated with the sport, though the film's casual, "highlight reel" style of presentation for each performer doesn't exactly break any molds in the genre. It certainly does have one thing going for it (outside of the unique action on display, of course): there's plenty of time devoted to the athletes' personal lives and backgrounds, giving Into the Air a slightly more intimate feel than your average sports documentary.

There are a dozen athletes to meet during this 65-minute documentary, spanning nearly two weeks at the scenic village of La Parguera and its surrounding islands. The weather is simply amazing during the bulk of the trip, boasting strong tradewinds, clear water and only a handful of clouds, giving it a strong "wish you were here" quality that will stir a strong feeling of jealously in even the most passive viewer. Everyone involved looks to be having plenty of fun, and it's not hard to see why by the time the credits roll. Favoring the sport's simplicity over raw competition, Into the Air plays out more like a well-produced vacation video than a technically driven documentary. No matter what your perspective is, you can't say it doesn't look like fun.

The single-disc DVD package from Cineforce Films (which incidentally, seems to be the first of its kind showcasing the sport) is lightweight but still enjoyable. It may not be something you'll watch again and again, but Into the Air is certainly worth a look for anyone remotely interested in energetic sports and scenic locations. Let's take a closer look, shall we?

There's room for improvement, but the 1.66:1 non-anamorphic widescreen transfer for Into the Air is generally pleasing and gets the job done. This documentary was shot on 35mm, 16mm and digital video, exhibiting strong color with only a moderate amount of softness, grain and edge enhancement. The audio is presented in either Dolby Digital 5.1 or 2.0 Stereo mixes (selectable just before the film starts) and sounds a bit better than I was expecting. It's not exactly an audio tour-de-force, but the dialogue and music generally come through clean and clear. Unfortunately, no optional subtitles or Closed Captions have been included with this release.

This is a fairly thin release for the asking price, but Into the Air is an entertaining little film that helps beat the winter blues. The technical presentation could be a bit stronger and the bonus features are slightly lacking in number, but anyone interested in the sport of kiteboarding should enjoy the show. I can't say the total package bears an enormous amount of replay value, but Into the Air is certainly good enough for a weekend once-over. Rent It.