The Fourth Phase – Review & Video Interview With Travis Rice

It is fair to say that Art Of Flight changed the way that snowboarding films will be made for ever.  With it’s un-apologetic high budget approach using more helicopters than in the whole of the Vietnam war, creating a visually stunning cinematic experience.

The Fourth Phase has been four years in the making, and although many see this as the sequel to Art Of Flight, this is a very different experience and film.

Inspired by the hydrological cycle and the work on the subject by Dr. Pollack, Travis combines his love of water and snow by embarking on a 16,000 mile journey around the north pacific, including the totally surreal and majestic billowing powder fields of Japan, a volcano, to enjoying a spot of surfing in the freezing and stark conditions of Russia.

The cinematography is simply stunning, although The Fourth Phase feels more grounded and personal than the Art Of Flight.  It really is an epic journey and watching it, you feel a part of it, the highs and lows, leaving you feeling exhausted but elated at the end of the movie.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a high-end slick production and is no less environmentally polar bear hugging than the Art Of Flight, but The Fourth Phase has a great concept, and is cleverly crafted to be more emotionally charged.

The concept of the hydrological cycle is from Travis’s obsessive interest in the flow of the water in the North Pacific, which has inspired him to find a way to be a part of it, rather than work against it.

Of course, it helps that Travis is joined by some kick-arse snowboarders with some incredible back country riding with Jeremy Jones, and the hugely talented Pat Moore adding some humour to the film with his quick quips.

For me, The Fourth Phase ticks all the boxes and is certainly worth the hype – go see it!

The Fourth Phase will premiere on Red Bull TV on October 2nd at 9pm, with a pre-show at 8.30pm.

The film will be on general release from October 3rd, available on DVD, Blu-Ray, iTunes, Google Play, and most digital storefronts.