Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi

This was one hell of a documentary about the complete story of Christian Hosoi, from the time he was born, up to the time he was "born again". Yes, we do hear this same type of rags to riches, back to rags again story, but Hosoi was always a character, and was bound to leave us with the makings of a good biography. I don't know who the person is that wrote the other review, but he or she must be married to the filmmaker of Gator's documentary, because if he says that one is much better than Rising Son, then he is definitely biased. I really liked the documentary about Mark "Gator" Rogowski, but it is in no way, better than this one. If you can find it streaming somewhere, check out Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi, you will not be disappointed.

This film was way better than Gator's film in that Hosoi was much more likable, in addition to it accurately portraying the changing climates from Vert skating to street skating styles and the wake it left behind. It was great to hear about the rivalry between Hosoi and Hawk and then to compare the current situations of both skaters. I was in middle school when Hosoi was at the heights of his success and this film brought back lots of great memories. The soundtrack is perfect and the stories are really entertaining. It was easy to not like Gator because of his attitude, but like Hawk said in this film, Christian was never cocky or arrogant, rather, he was someone who loved to skate and lived more in the few years when he was at the peak of his stardom than most of us will in entire lifetimes. In the 80's/90's I wasn't a Hosoi fan (I was more a Natas fanatic), but now I have more respect for Hosoi than ever before.

An enjoyable, albeit formulaic documentary of another fallen skateboard star from the 1980s. Rising Son, similar to Helen Stickler's 2002 documentary, "Stoked! The Rise and Fall of Gator", chronicles the meteoric rise and fall of a 1980s skateboarder, in yet another cautionary, VH1-esque tale about the dangers of fame.

The film's subject, Christian Hosoi, is a flamboyantly charismatic skateboarder who captures the energy and youth spirit of early professional skateboarding. We watch as Hosoi's style-driven aerial acrobatics, exhibitionism and campy, vibrant-colored clothing make him an overnight celebrity and fashion icon. Then, just as suddenly, trends change and Hosoi descends into the fathoms as he succumbs to a drug addiction. Years later, in jail and at rock bottom, he finds his salvation in religion.

Overall, Rising Son is a likable, television quality documentary about a youth celebrity's misadventure, steep fall from grace and sobering redemption. Disappointingly, it lacks the skillful organization and power of Stickler's film.

While "Stoked!" was a cogent biography of the fame-addicted Gator, 'Rising Son' is but a piecemeal collage of Hosoi, stapling together stock footage and repetitive sound bites from a hodge podge of interviews. Often, it's like a garage party of old skateboarders endlessly reminiscing about their Hosoi, the mythologized version that they like to remember. Nevertheless, it's still an interesting, highly watchable documentary - even if it's flank steak next to Stickler's sirloin.

I saw the premier of this movie opening night of the Malibu Film Festival. I went to the screening with no expectations and left completely impressed and moved by the documentary. This film takes you through the skateboarding era unlike any other. The story is about fame and fortune, friendships, and the ups and downs in life. It is set in Southern California and is told through the eyes of Christian and how close friends and the public perceived him. Furthermore, the documentary was well shot and edited with a great score throughout. You will be educated, entertained, and you will laugh and cry. While watching this film, you will feel like you personally know Christian. I highly recommend it.