Watch Pretending I'm a Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story

Pretending I'm a Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story is a documentary film released in 2020 that provides a detailed look at the creation, growth, and impact of the Tony Hawk video game franchise. Named after the hit track in the game's soundtrack, the film is directed by Ludvig Gür and narrated by Tony Hawk himself.

The film opens with a brief introduction to the skateboarding world of the 1970s and 80s, showing how Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, and Rodney Mullen became early pioneers of the sport. Tony Hawk's early years in the industry are covered in great detail, as the film shows how he became a household name in the skating world in the late 80s and early 90s.

The focus of the movie is on the Tony Hawk video game franchise, which officially began in 1999 with the release of the first game simply titled "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater." The film provides a comprehensive timeline of the game's development, from the initial concept to the final product.

Interviews with key players in the development team, including the game's original producer, provide viewers with an in-depth look at the development process. The documentary also highlights the difficulties the team faced when creating the game, particularly when it came to capturing the essence of skateboarding and translating it into a video game.

As the film progresses, it explores how the Tony Hawk video game franchise went from a simple yet groundbreaking video game to a cultural phenomenon. Through interviews with fans of the franchise, the film shows how the games have not only had a significant impact on the gaming industry but also on skateboarding culture as a whole.

The documentary includes interviews with legendary professional skateboarders, such as Rodney Mullen, Kareem Campbell, and Steve Caballero, who share their insights into how the games impacted the sport's culture. Additionally, archival footage of skateboarding legends, including Tony Hawk, provides viewers with a unique perspective into the early years of skateboarding.

Pretending I'm a Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story also covers the legacy of the Tony Hawk video game franchise, particularly in terms of its impact on the skateboarding industry. The documentary highlights how the games have inspired a new generation of skateboarders who are now pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the sport.

Throughout the documentary, the film showcases the evolution of the Tony Hawk video game franchise, including the creation of the "Tony Hawk's Underground" series and the latest release in the series, "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2." The film concludes by exploring the impact of the franchise on the video game industry and how it has evolved over the past two decades.

Overall, Pretending I'm a Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story is an entertaining and insightful documentary that provides a fascinating look into the creation and impact of one of the most influential video game franchises in history. Skateboarding and gaming fans alike will enjoy this film, as it highlights the unique convergence of these two cultures and the impact they have had on one another.

Pretending I'm a Superman: The Tony Hawk Video Game Story is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.