Directed by brothers Emmett and Brendan Malloy “Out Cold” is the duos first feature, having honed their chops on music videos, extreme sports and trailers. While it’s not a huge leap from the smaller projects it is well done. The brothers really made the most of their background, the film is lean and well paced. It also offers some pretty fresh laughs.

Expecting a vapid comedy aimed at teens I was pleasantly surprised. There are two things I really like about this movie. First it has the audacity to pay homage to “Casablanca” one of the greatest films of all time and second it showcases some very cool snow boarding footage. Shot on location in Vancouver the film offers some great footage, with pro boarders doubling for the cast.

The film stars Jason London as Rick Rambis, leader of the boarders and proclaimed “King of the Mountain.” Mr. London is a wonderful comedic actor who’s been a favorite of mine since “Dazed and Confused.” Here in his role as Rick it doesn’t take a film historian to soon understand that Mr. London is riffing on Bogart’s famous role in “Casablanca.” Playing with several of the famous scenes and dialogue including “We’ll always have Paris” there’s a great flashback featuring him and his ex as they cavort around a Mexican resort, Rick left to go it alone on a tandem bicycle. I admire the boldness of the satire but it’s also just funny.

Lee “the Six Million Dollar Man” Majors plays John Majors, a pompous builder who wants to commercialize the fictitious Bull Mountain, where the film is set. Making his entrance he arrives driving a yellow Hummer and wearing cowboy hat. Like Ted Knight in “Caddy Shack” Majors is an abusive, arrogant jerk with a gorgeous young girl that he’s chaperoning. Naturally the kids figure out his scheme and torment him in a variety of ways.

Playing brothers Pig Pen and Luke are Derek Hamilton and Zach Galifianakis. They provide a majority of the comedy, with their pal Rick as the straight man. Mr. Galifianakis in particular really stood out. He’s great in several scenes where his habit of passing out gets him in trouble. He also has a great scene with Swedish bombshell Victoria Silvstedt, who plays Majors’ step-daughter Inga.

One of the added bonuses in “Out Cold” comes at the very end. Various out takes are featured, several of which depict the pro boarders attempting and failing at some extreme maneuvers. If you’re a fan of Warren Miller’s films you’ll love this stuff. There’s also the blunders and bloopers, several of which are pretty hilarious. I’m Erik Petersen for Movie Magazine.

© 2002 - Erik Petersen - Air Date: 11/28/01