Stab Magazine | John Florence's View From A Blue Moon Is The Best Surf Film Ever Made
531 Views

John Florence’s View From A Blue Moon Is The Best Surf Film Ever Made

“This is my view of the world.” – John John Florence

news // May 9, 2017
Words by stab
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Dimmed lights, a message from John urging Sydney premiere attendees to enjoy themselves, and a dedication to filmmaker Sonny Miller, and we were finally into the best surf film ever made. At least, depending on what you value. If the best aerial surfing and tuberiding ever done are your kinks, or if “surf movie shot on Pandora and directed by David Attenborough” is something that tickles, then yes, this is the best surf film ever made. Hyperbole is a fun internet game but, for real, View From A Blue Moon is, at this point in time, incomparable.

There are shades of The Endless Summer as John C. Rielly sprinkles his (mercifully) sparingly-used narration. Jack Johnson’s bespoke Seasick Dream taps over the top of amazing water cinematography featuring very mini-John, slowly graduating from shorebreak to set waves and…

We’re re-born into a North Shore we’ve never seen before: The Florence family’s North Shore. The place with some of the scariest waves in the world and some of the heaviest locals and the bike path you should avoid after dark and the “everyone’s welcome but don’t forget to leave” North Shore is nowhere to be seen here. It just feels like home, but the most enjoyable childhood home ever.

JJF_VFABM__Review_turn

Like the first walk down a street in a new, foreign city, each geo-based section hits aurally and visually with no apology. Continuing the genius of making familiar scenes feel new, we’re treated to a different side of Tahiti – though, obviously no one could resist ending the section with brother Nathan’s unfathomable paddle-drop-wrangle at crowning jewel, Teahupoo. The DFA remix of David Bowie does a fabulous job of easing the epicness that could easily have weighed too heavily on this film.

In West Oz, John, Albee Layer and Matt Meola redefine aerial awareness: If you haven’t spotted your landing three feet out, you’re doing it wrong. Along The Transkei, a new must-surf location is born (and hello, slide guitar!). And then, Brazil.

Oh, Brazil! The only unfortunate part here is the lack of really quality waves Filipe Toledo and John scored, but them’s the breaks in surfing and the intro at least is of the most engaging filmmaking style imaginable. “Every emotion unleashed in a single moment.” Yeah, Brazil really grips.

VFABM_Plane

Then we’re back to the dark continent co-starring Jordy Smith and more, with perfect contrast via Jacques Dutronc, before returning to the North Shore. But, this is not the North Shore we saw in the film’s opener. This is not a family North Shore; This is a thrilling North Shore. Fast and Loose – just like the Motörhead jam the section is cut to. John in his zone is just… the true edge of surfing right now.

It’s hard to shake the sense, watching this film, that the ocean is a playground designed specifically for John Florence. Each element, from the Nat Geo cinematography to the groundbreaking surfing to the Bruce Irons section that appears after the credits like a Marvel film, makes it feel like when it comes to View From A Blue Moon, everything is in its right place. Fifteen fucking stars.

john_Ant_Fo

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

How To Land A Fresh Deal With A Watch Company 

Hughie Vaughan executes textbook play, inks deal with Swatch. 

Sep 26, 2025

Our E.A.S.T. Fest, Hosted By Kona Big Wave Packing Guide (Do’s And Don’ts)

Dress code: hot

Sep 26, 2025

Watch ‘Pertama’: Rio Waida Is The Pride Of Indonesia

The Prince of the Bukit on the Olympics, Bullies, Growth Hormones, and his new film.

Sep 25, 2025

Has A Surfer, Or Will A Surfer, Ever Ride A Tsunami?

Following the Kamchatka tsunami, we unpack the science and strange history of surfing’s dance with…

Sep 25, 2025

Stab Interview: The QS-Winning Architect, Caleb Tancred

The former child prodigy is back on the podium after a 6-year competitive hiatus. 

Sep 24, 2025

Morning Glory On Day Two Of The Quiksilver Festival presented by Swatch

The party continues with fun beachbreak wedges, plenty of airs, and the occasional Spartanic tube…

Sep 23, 2025

Watch: THRASHAHOLICS by Thrash Craft Surfboards

Brad Flora edits, shapes the boards, and stars in the movie.

Sep 23, 2025

Stab Interview: The Most Barrelled Surfer-Shaper On The Planet

Dylan Longbottom on doing his own stunts + crafting big wave boards for the world's…

Sep 22, 2025

Reminder: Surfing Changes Lives

Watch 'We The Surfers,' a full-length film about the evolution of the Liberian surf scene.

Sep 20, 2025

“There’s More Opportunity Than Ever In Surfing — You Just Have To Think Outside The Box”

Says the guy doing ad spots with Em Rata and starring in Nike posts.

Sep 20, 2025

Alex Knost, Mikey Feb & More Star In Non-Conformist Waveriding Demonstration ‘Choice Glance’

Where all great surfing variants collide.

Sep 20, 2025

Hossegor, Day One: Four Hours At The Quiksilver Festival presented by Swatch

A leisurely warm-up.

Sep 20, 2025

Kelly Slater Calls Out Surf100 Winner Eithan Osborne

And Eithan DGAF.

Sep 20, 2025

Can A Team Of CTers Beat Freesurfers, Poorly Slept Australians, And The Local Heavies In Hossegor?

This year's Quiksilver Festival is about to start. Here's what you need to know.

Sep 19, 2025

Watch: Chippa Wilson Wreaks Havoc On A Head-High Left, Signs 5-Year Deal With New Brand

Brixton, out. Who's in? Find out in 'Deadbeat'.

Sep 18, 2025

Eithan Osborne Is Officially $100,000 Richer After Winning Surf100 California

“I would say I’m finally gonna get a good nights rest, but… I don’t think…

Sep 18, 2025

The $100,000 Surf100 California Finale, Presented By Pacifico

Our six-figure, audience judged, 100-minute deathmatch.

Sep 18, 2025

What Not To Do With $100,000

How not to torch your cash with Albee Layer, Matt Meola, and Ryan Miller.

Sep 17, 2025
Advertisement