An enjoyable, albeit formulaic documentary of another fallen skateboard star from the 1980s. Rising Son, similar to Helen Stickler's 2002 documentary, "Stoked! The Rise and Fall of Gator", chronicles the meteoric rise and fall of a 1980s skateboarder, in yet another cautionary, VH1-esque tale about the dangers of fame.
The film's subject, Christian Hosoi, is a flamboyantly charismatic skateboarder who captures the energy and youth spirit of early professional skateboarding. We watch as Hosoi's style-driven aerial acrobatics, exhibitionism and campy, vibrant-colored clothing make him an overnight celebrity and fashion icon. Then, just as suddenly, trends change and Hosoi descends into the fathoms as he succumbs to a drug addiction. Years later, in jail and at rock bottom, he finds his salvation in religion.
Overall, Rising Son is a likable, television quality documentary about a youth celebrity's misadventure, steep fall from grace and sobering redemption. Disappointingly, it lacks the skillful organization and power of Stickler's film.
While "Stoked!" was a cogent biography of the fame-addicted Gator, 'Rising Son' is but a piecemeal collage of Hosoi, stapling together stock footage and repetitive sound bites from a hodge podge of interviews. Often, it's like a garage party of old skateboarders endlessly reminiscing about their Hosoi, the mythologized version that they like to remember. Nevertheless, it's still an interesting, highly watchable documentary - even if it's flank steak next to Stickler's sirloin.
The film's subject, Christian Hosoi, is a flamboyantly charismatic skateboarder who captures the energy and youth spirit of early professional skateboarding. We watch as Hosoi's style-driven aerial acrobatics, exhibitionism and campy, vibrant-colored clothing make him an overnight celebrity and fashion icon. Then, just as suddenly, trends change and Hosoi descends into the fathoms as he succumbs to a drug addiction. Years later, in jail and at rock bottom, he finds his salvation in religion.
Overall, Rising Son is a likable, television quality documentary about a youth celebrity's misadventure, steep fall from grace and sobering redemption. Disappointingly, it lacks the skillful organization and power of Stickler's film.
While "Stoked!" was a cogent biography of the fame-addicted Gator, 'Rising Son' is but a piecemeal collage of Hosoi, stapling together stock footage and repetitive sound bites from a hodge podge of interviews. Often, it's like a garage party of old skateboarders endlessly reminiscing about their Hosoi, the mythologized version that they like to remember. Nevertheless, it's still an interesting, highly watchable documentary - even if it's flank steak next to Stickler's sirloin.
