AMC has given the green light to a new television series based on the 1991 movie Point Break, because what the world really needed was another reboot. The series, which will serve as a sequel to the original film, follows a new heist crew inspired by the Ex-Presidents, the infamous gang of bank robbers from the movie. The FBI must again rely on an undercover agent, this time a mysterious ex-pro surfer, to infiltrate the crew and bring them to justice.
The press release for the new series is filled with the kind of language that makes you wonder if anyone involved in the project has actually seen the original movie. It describes Point Break as “a wild cinematic sermon on friendship, outlaws, and spirituality that struck our souls.” Which, yeah, sure, that’s exactly what Point Break is about. It’s not just about Keanu Reeves looking cool in a wetsuit and Patrick Swayze being, well, Patrick Swayze.
The Legacy of Point Break
The original Point Break has become a cult classic, and it’s easy to see why. The movie has a certain charm to it, a blend of action, suspense, and just the right amount of cheesiness. It’s a movie that has aged surprisingly well, considering it was released over 30 years ago. But, of course, that means it’s time for a reboot, because Hollywood loves to revisit old ideas and try to make them relevant again. It’s like they say: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but if it’s an old movie that people still kind of like, then break it and try to fix it again.
The new series is being showrun by Dave Kalstein and Christopher C. Rogers, who have worked on a variety of TV shows, including Treadstone, Quantico, and NCIS: Los Angeles. They seem enthusiastic about the project, saying that Point Break “is more than just a movie—it’s a way of looking at the world.” Which, okay, sure, but it’s also a movie about bank robbers in masks and a FBI agent who learns to surf. Let’s not get too carried away here.
The State of Reboots in Hollywood
The Point Break reboot is just the latest in a long line of reboots and revivals that have been announced in recent years. It seems like every old movie or TV show is being rebooted or revived in some way, and it’s hard not to wonder why. Is it just a lack of new ideas, or is it something more? Are studios really that desperate for familiar intellectual property that they’re willing to revisit anything and everything? It’s like they’re mining for nostalgia, trying to strike gold by revisiting old favorites. And, hey, it’s not like it’s never worked before. But it’s also not like it’s always worked, and sometimes it feels like studios are just playing it safe, rather than taking risks on new and original ideas.
The first season of the Point Break series will consist of eight episodes and will go into production next year. Which, hey, maybe it’ll be good. Maybe it’ll be a fresh take on the original movie, and maybe it’ll even surpass it in some ways. But, based on the track record of reboots and revivals, it’s hard to be too optimistic. It’s like the Content Mines are still fully operational, churning out remake after remake, and the Nostalgia Harvest is in full swing. Somewhere, a Focus Group is earning another bonus, and executives are nodding very seriously in an expensive meeting. And, of course, the Merchandising Department has already approved the decision, because what’s a reboot without a bunch of new merchandise to sell? It’s just another day in Hollywood, where the search for fresh ideas is always on, but the results are often just more of the same.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
