Movie Review: North Shore (1987)

★★★★★

North Shore totally surprised me. It’s got killer surf scenes, a chill vibe, and just the right amount of heart. Definitely a hidden gem from the '80s.

Jade D.

Florida

When people talk about great '80s sports movies, North Shore doesn’t always make the list, and that’s a shame. It may not have the same mainstream recognition as The Karate Kid or Rocky, but it delivers a similar underdog journey with a fresh, saltwater twist.

As a reviewer for BoxReview.com, I think what makes North Shore special isn’t just the surfing (though the wave shots are gorgeous), it’s how the film captures a genuine respect for Hawaiian surf culture, the ocean, and the idea that success isn’t always about trophies.

The Premise: From Wave Tank to the Real Thing

Rick Kane (Matt Adler) is a young surfer from Arizona who wins a wave tank competition and uses the prize money to chase his dream of surfing Hawaii’s legendary North Shore.

But when he arrives, reality hits hard, the waves are bigger, the locals are wary of outsiders, and the competitive surf scene is way more political than he expected.

Rick finds a mentor in Chandler (Gregory Harrison), a soulful board shaper who teaches him that surfing isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifestyle, a discipline, and a connection to something bigger than yourself.

Matt Adler as Rick Kane: More Than a Fish Out of Water

Adler plays Rick with just the right mix of ambition, naivety, and heart. He starts off as the stereotypical mainlander with big dreams, but over the course of the film, you watch him grow into someone who understands that “winning” means something different in Hawaii than it does on a contest scoreboard.

What’s often overlooked is how Adler plays Rick’s transformation subtly. It’s not just about learning to ride bigger waves; it’s about learning to listen, observe, and respect the culture around him.

Gregory Harrison as Chandler: The Soul of the Film

Chandler is one of the great unsung mentor characters of the '80s. Harrison plays him as calm, philosophical, and quietly intense, the kind of guy who can drop a life lesson while sanding a surfboard.

Unlike a lot of sports movie mentors, Chandler isn’t trying to push Rick toward victory; he’s trying to slow him down, make him think, and help him find his own definition of success.

Nia Peeples as Kiani: More Than the Love Interest

Kiani could’ve been written as just a romantic subplot, but Peeples brings her real presence. She’s strong-willed, grounded, and serves as Rick’s first real connection to the local community.

She also embodies the balance between tradition and modernity that runs through the film, caught between the pressures of the competitive surf world and the deeper cultural roots of surfing in Hawaii.

The Local Scene: Friendship and Rivalry

The film’s depiction of local surfers is more nuanced than it gets credit for. Yes, there’s the classic “rival” character in Lance Burkhart (Laird Hamilton), but even he isn’t a cartoon villain. Hamilton brings an authenticity to the role because he is one of the best surfers in the world, and his competition with Rick feels more about respect than outright hostility.

Side characters like Turtle (John Philbin) add humor without turning the story into a parody. Turtle, with his laid-back surfer philosophy and memorable “You’re gonna need a board” advice, has become a cult favorite.

Underappreciated Element: Respect for Hawaiian Surf Culture

A lot of 80s movies about sports dropped into a new location, treating the setting like a backdrop. North Shore doesn’t. It shows the traditions, the respect for the ocean, and the idea that surfing is a spiritual connection as much as an athletic challenge.

Chandler’s lessons about understanding the wave, not just riding it, feel like they came from real conversations with surfers who’ve spent their lives in the water.

The Cinematography: Waves as Characters

The surf sequences are stunning, especially considering the pre-drone, pre-GoPro era. Director William Phelps and cinematographer Peter Smokler capture both the majesty and the danger of Hawaii’s beaches.

The ocean here isn’t just a setting, it’s an active force. Wide shots make the waves look like living walls, while close-ups put you right in the spray. You feel the difference between the artificial wave tank back in Arizona and the raw power of the North Shore.

The Soundtrack: Sun, Sand, and Synth

Like many 80s films, the soundtrack leans on a mix of pop and rock, with tracks that instantly lock the movie into its era. But there’s also a warmth to the score that complements the more introspective moments, especially when Chandler is shaping boards or when Rick is learning to read the ocean.

Themes: Winning Isn’t Everything

At its heart, North Shore is about redefining success. Rick comes to Hawaii thinking victory means beating Lance Burkhart in a surf contest. By the end, he realizes the bigger win is earning the respect of the locals, deepening his connection to the ocean, and growing as a person.

It’s a refreshing message in a decade of sports movies that often ended with the big championship win.

Why North Shore Still Works Today

It’s a time capsule of 80s style and surf culture, but the core story is timeless. Anyone who’s ever chased a dream only to discover it’s not exactly what they thought will relate.

It’s also a rare sports film that celebrates slowing down, listening, and learning instead of just pushing harder and faster. That gives it a laid-back confidence that fits its Hawaiian setting perfectly.

Final Thoughts

North Shore is one of those films you can throw on any summer and instantly feel the ocean breeze. It’s got great surf footage, colorful characters, and a heart that beats for something deeper than competition.

If you’ve never seen it, it’s worth the trip for Chandler’s wisdom alone. And if you have, it’s worth revisiting whenever you need a reminder that sometimes the best waves aren’t the biggest, they’re the ones you actually understand.