Riptide
2003, Sin City

Reviewed By: Trapper
On: 08/29/03
Produced by: Scott Justice
Directed by: Michael Raven
Starring: Chloe Dior, Karina, Kelli Tyler, Kaylani Lei, Michelle Michaels, April, Steven St. Croix, Alex Sanders, Randy Spears, John West, Steve Hatcher, Pat Myne
Directing: 4
Production: 5
Storyline: 3
Music: 4
Editing: 4
Costumes: 4
Dialogue: 3


The Sex Index ©
Karina with Steve Hatcher X       X           X
Chloe Dior with Alex Sanders X       X X          
Michelle Michaels with Kaylani Lei and John West X       X X X X   X  
April with Randy Spears and Pat Myne X       X     X      
Chloe Dior with Steve Hatcher X       X X          
Kelli Tyler with Steven St. Croix X       X            


Review:
Scene 1 - other=internal cum shot

F.B.I. Agent Johnny Dark, played by Steve Hatcher, is assigned to infiltrate a gang of surfers who also get their thrills in the world of crime. If this plot sounds similar to Point Break, well, it is. Michael Raven's version is a bit better, I must say, and perhaps better acted. Dark enthusiastically volunteers for the assignment. His job is to befriend the gang's leader, Sirus (Alex Sanders) and live the lifestyle of extreme sports, crime and sex. In order to meet with Sirus, Agent Dark meets Sirus's sweltering girlfriend Sapphire (Chloe Dior), to get into the gang. Soon the dream job turns dangerous for Dark once Sirus figures out he's an agent, and fucking his woman! Everyone associated with Dark is in danger, and it's up to him to save the day.

Now, the original movie was nearly impossible to sit through, so you can guess how much improvement the porn version can do. The story is weak, and it appears like they didn't know where to go after the final sex scene. There are many implausible aspects to this movie. For example, if you're going to do a movie with surfing, maybe you should hire real surfers instead of rushing porn stars into the Pacific waters, and showing them fall flat on their faces. Raven explains in the Director's commentary that it wasn't surfing season, so why produce the movie now? The extreme biking scene with Dark and Sirus-played by stunt doubles-is anything but extreme. It is still a porn flick after all, not a million dollar Hollywood blockbuster. At least it gives the viewer some amusement.

Aside from the above criticism, the overall production is good. The direction, photography, editing and set design are great. Raven shouldn't be ashamed of his directing in this movie. He sets every scene perfectly. The music adds a nice touch to every scene, including the main song of the movie performed by a group from Detroit. That song fits the extreme nature Raven was reaching for in this movie. The strongest part of the movie, however, is the acting. Hatcher was surprisingly good playing the lead, and Steven St. Croix plays Hatcher's comical and obnoxious partner brilliantly. Alex Sanders also receives props for his role as the evil Sirus, but it was Chloe Dior who stole the show. Not only is she the best looking porn star (sorry Gina Ryder), but she acts well.

When you see Dior in a bikini, in a wet suit, even in a towel, you'll catch yourself drooling. I know she's got a few tattoos, but she is unbelievable. Both of her sex scenes are terrific. The best scene has to be the threesome tussle featuring John West with Michelle Michaels with Kaylani Lei. Both are tiny, but prove to be a handful for West. The underrated April also turns in a great scene, and Raven starts things right with Karina getting filled-up by Hatcher.

Raven said in his feature that he was going for a voyeuristic feel during the sex scenes. Before I even listened to his commentary, I thought that's what he was doing, and he achieved his goal quite well. The only problem is that at times it felt like I was watching soft-core instead of hard core. Don't get me wrong, the sex is energized and hot, but it consistently loses its hard-core feel. So if you're looking for downright nasty sex, you probably won't be satisfied when all is said and done.

DVD Extras are plentiful for this feature. This is a two-disc set, with the second disc filled with lots of material. The interview portion was fine, but the behind the scenes was basically a continuation of the interview section, so there isn't much there. The interview with Randy Spears is very interesting. Really, I'm not kidding. There are some trailers, an extensive photo gallery, and sequence featuring all of the pop shots in the movie. The Director's Commentary isn't very good. Raven sure doesn't say too much, plus you can't hear the movie under his voice. That part was a downer.

Overall, this is a good try by Raven and Co. It's got a little action, sound acting, hot girls, murder and decent sex. I recommend this one for the devoted stroker, and for the couples. Unfortunately, the movie is exactly like the T. S. Elliot line Agent Dark quotes twice in the movie. You'll see what I mean.

Trapper gives this one a 4. If the sex would've been more on the hard-core side, this one easily could've been a 5.


© 2003 Smuttco, Inc.