The music is great, the styles terrific, and the film itself is dramatic. Emile Hirsch and Heath Ledger masterfully play Jay Adams and Skip Engblom; otherwise the acting is pretty awful at times. The movie is directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen), and receives the help of cinematographer Elliot Davis.

       Whether or not you like the film depends on two basic prerequisites: whether skateboarding has at all been an influence in your life, in which case you should also be sure to check out Dogtown and Z-Boys, and second, if you know or have heard the story of the Dogtown and the Zephyrs. Most others might not be as interested in the overall storyline, but maybe they will at least enjoy all the subplots about girlfriends and parents.

       I personally like the film having being surrounded by skateboarding in my youth, but for the general public it'll have some good points as well as some uninteresting scenes.

       The man of the hour, Heath Ledger, was a terrific actor who shined in any part he played, Lords of Dogtown is no exception. As an actor I believe he still had so much left to give and is now gone from the world too soon. Like the saying goes: gone but never forgotten, rest in peace, we will miss you.