http://mpora.com/videos/9XPxZN73o And so, on the day when the new decade starts, we reach the end of our review of the noughties in snowboard movies. We’ve followed the evolution of films and style through yo gangsta jibbing to achingly cool tight-trousered one-footers, taking in every point in between. We think each film showcases a particular moment in snowboarding, and the influences that helped shape the sport up to that point. But you may well disagree. so if you think there’s a classic clip we’ve missed, or something that should have been included that isn’t get involved in debating it below.
The final clip we’re including is taken from one of this year’s finest films – The B. Directed by former Mack Dawg mainstay Brad Kremer, this is the first Burton team movie produced by the brand’s new in house film production unit. Given that Burton have one of the best teams on the planet, it’s no surprise that this film features some awesome riding.
But more than that, it seems to encapsulate some of where snowboard film-making is at the end of the first decade of the 21st century. With DVD sales increasingly suffering in the face of digital competition, it seems likely that snowboard films will be increasingly used as publicity tools – rather than profit-making enterprises in their own right. Therefore, we may well see more and more movies that are associated with one brand or team. Certainly, Burton’s snapping up of top filming talent to create an in-house team would seem to suggest that they’ll be making more movies like this.
Also, the section of the film we’ve chosen – the closing section – shows how far snowboarding haas come in the past ten years. Here we have the entire Burton team hitting an obstacle together – from tight-trousered jib monkeys like Keegan Valaika to established team members like Sani Alibabic. The tricks on display show the full spectrum of noughties snowboarding, from big ass spins and steezy jibs to mini-shred backflips. The high production values and sweeping heli shots seem to borrow from the likes of That’s It, That’s All. And perhaps inspired by the Robotfood films, Burton have done away with the traditional single rider closing part, and opted for a jam session that makes snowboarding look… well, fun.
And that’s the most important thing. Because while snowboarding – and snowboard films – have come a long way in the last ten years it really boils down to the fact that there’s few things that are more fun than strapping a stick to your feet and hurling yourself down a snow covered hill. Here’s to the next ten years of doing the same!
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