Waiting for LightningMovie Reviews

So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 45 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
14 OK for kids 14+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 67
    Portland Oregonian | Marc Mohan

    The line between fearlessness and idiocy can be a thin one, especially in this sport, and the doc never gets too far under Way's skin. But when he soars -- on a skateboard! -- above the massive structure that kept invading armies at bay for centuries, it's pretty darn cool. Read full review

  • 60
    New York Daily News | Joe Neumaier

    Colorful folks and cool stunts abound, but casual viewers may still utter a big "Why?" Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    It's enjoyable enough, but how much you like it will depend on how much you like skateboarding and extreme sports. Read full review

  • 50
    Washington Post | Michael O'Sullivan

    There's more waiting than lightning in Waiting for Lightning, a nonetheless watchable-enough documentary about the preparations leading up to professional skateboarder Danny Way's historic 2005 attempt to sail over the Great Wall of China on a skateboard. Read full review

  • 50
    Village Voice |

    Unfortunately, as the extensive footage of kick flips, fakies, and grinders goes from thrilling to routine, we're left waiting - and wanting - for Rosenberg to offer something more substantial than another "big air." Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times |

    Unfortunately, the athlete himself simply isn't much of a presence in this documentary, even as the film aims to celebrate him. Read full review

  • 40
    The Hollywood Reporter | Frank Scheck

    Eventually, though, Waiting For Lightning suffers greatly from the absence of Way himself. Read full review

  • 40
    Time Out New York | Nick Schager

    Director Jacob Rosenberg's approach is heavy with archival footage and interviews, yet oddly features almost nothing from Way himself; his puzzling absence for most of the film turns the project into less of a biography than a one-note hagiography. Read full review

  • 38
    Slant Magazine | Andrew Schenker

    With Danny Way almost never weighing in directly, the film's attempts to portray his story as an inspirational tale of triumph over adversity scarcely registers. Read full review

  • 38
    New York Post | V.A. Musetto

    Director Jacob Rosenberg makes heavy use of family photos and talking heads, but the person we want most to hear from, Way himself, is largely missing. Go figure. Read full review


Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+ Routine docu about skateboard champ Danny Way.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that Waiting for Lightning is a documentary about pro skateboarder Danny Way. It includes some horrible scenes of crashes and injuries, as well as stories about violent incidents in Way's past involving his mother's boyfriends. His mother confesses to a period of excessive drinking and drugs, and viewers see "dramatic recreation" footage of this. Language is sparse, with interviewees using "s--t" four times, and Danny saying "f--k" once after a wipeout. Corporate sponsors, especially DC Shoes and Monster energy drink, are prevalent. The movie's biggest drawback is that it doesn't actually interview Way himself, so this is for die-hard fans only. Others would do better to check out the more inspirational Bones Brigade.
  • Families can talk about Waiting for Lightning's violent crashes and accidents. What makes skateboarders push themselves so hard in such a dangerous sport?
  • Did the movie inspire you to do push yourself toward a specific goal? Is that goal related to skating or some other activity or sport? Can this attitude be applied to other things in life?
  • Does Danny Way seem like a role model for kids or teens?
The good stuff
  • message true3 Positive messages: A troubled kid learns to overcome adversity, faces huge challenges, and achieves success in a field he loves.
  • rolemodels true2 Positive role models: Danny Way is an example of someone who has overcome major challenges in his life and succeeded. But since the movie never interviews him directly, he's only seen from a distance and can seem reckless and withdrawn.
What to watch for
  • violence false3 Violence: A few spectacular skating crashes and injuries, which are all the more shocking because they're real. Viewers also hear stories of past domestic violence in the Way household, with the mother's boyfriends beating her up, as well as young Danny and his brother. (Nothing is actually shown.)
  • sex false1 Sexy stuff: Stories about Danny's mother, who remarried after her husband's death and began seeing a series of other men. Danny is shown to be a father, but his wife doesn't seem to appear in the movie.
  • language false3 Language: "S--t" is heard four times, and Danny lets out one "f--k" after a wipeout. "Ass" is used in a background song, and "oh my God" can be overheard at one point.
  • consumerism false3 Consumerism: Skaters have all kinds of corporate sponsors. DC Shoes is a major sponsor, with logos and mentions all over the place (the company apparently helped finance and/or produce the movie). The Monster energy drink logo is seen several times. Interviewees are seen wearing Red Bull, Mountain Dew, and Nike hats. Danny is briefly seen wearing a Bud Light shirt.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false2 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Danny's mother confesses to going through a period of heavy drinking and doing drugs. The movie includes some "dramatic recreation" footage to demonstrate this.

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