First Descent
By Jane Louise BoursawMPAA Rating: PG-13
PRE-SCHOOLER (ages 2-5): The under-5 crowd won't find much to keep them entertained in this thoughtful documentary. Better to tune them into something more age-appropriate -- try Extreme Sports Fun or Extreme Adventure Fun from Goofy, Mickey and the gang.
GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6-10): Even if your kids know nothing about snowboarding, maybe seeing these fearless five challenge themselves will make an impact. On the other hand, there should be a "don't try this at home" warning at the beginning of the movie. There is some language and one drug reference, so consider that when deciding whether your kids should see this film.
TWEEN/TEEN (ages 11+): This movie gives the back-story of the rebellious, inspiring and controversial rise of snowboarding over the last 30 or so years. It's a young sport compared to skiing and ice-skating, but it's changed many lives in its short reign. You don't have to be an afficionado of snowboarding to be thrilled by the stories told in this documentary -- and the snow-covered landscapes where they take place.
Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries.


