When Savage Still Holland made the first “Malibu Rescue” in 2019, it became a big hit and got on the Netflix trending spot at number one for a couple weeks just by depicting teens training to become lifeguards. He didn’t think it would blow up so fast the way it did, especially in the pre-teen community.

In August, the sequel, “Malibu Rescue: The Next Wave,” was released. This is the perfect sequel by showing the continuation of events that happened in the last movie and their outcome.This film also has the right amount of comedy, twist and turns, and romance you would need in a movie while keeping you on the edge wondering what’s going to happen next

The secret to the success of “Malibu Rescue” is that it’s relatable to  teens because of the friendships and responsibilities. In addition, teens often have to be forced into something they don’t want to do or begin a new chapter in their lives with new friends. Tyler (Ricardo Hitudo) is the basic teenage boy who oversleeps all the time and boosts himself up anytime he gets the chance. Lizzie (Abby Donnelly), is the girl who knows everything and always has a secret talent. Gina (Breanna Yde), is the tough girl who hates to show her emotions and would beat you up if you try to lead her there. Eric (Alkoya Bruson) who is the super nice guy will try to help you out with anything and doesn’t take no for an answer. Dylan (Jackie.R Jacobson) is the dumb blond girl who everybody likes and is very dedicated to everything.

The friendships that developed weren’t even supposed to happen, but they turned out to be a good coincidence. To sum up how this friendship was a coincidence is to go back to the first movie. On his last day of school, Tyler decides to break a school rule and ride his skateboard home. On his way home, Tyler has an incident with a bully which results in punishment. He is forced to go to a summer program in Malibu with his sister and step dad. He meets Lizzie, Gina and Eric and then they meet Dylan, who will be training them and the lifeguards. Tyler doesn’t like the lifeguards, but he really doesn’t like Brody (JT Neal) who is the head lifeguard. When the program was over for summer and everybody said goodbye to each other, Tyler and Dylan began a romance along with Eric and Lizzie who started dating.

After “The Malibu Rescue” aired in  2019, it  turned into a show for one season where they basically have to get rid of their evil boss who blew up a watch tower.

The latest installment of the “Malibu Rescue” franchise is the July 2020 “Malibu Rescue: The Next Wave.” The program is back and so are the best friends, until a little bump in the road slows their comeback. When they go back to the beach, not too much has changed except that Tyler’s step dad becomes the boss. While they’re all happy to see each other they hear some devastating news about the junior rescue program that’s ending due to the watchtower blowing up. While trying to save the program, they also wanted to participate in the worldwide competition that is happening at the beach.  Friends think they’re going to compete, but end up serving food because they weren’t qualified as certified lifeguards. All the friends want is to prove that they are qualified and not too young to compete.

Later on the friends find the true meaning of friendship and realize the beach and the program symbolizes their attachment with each  other. They discover that the beach and the programs means everything to them and wouldn’t be the same without it.

The ending to the movie is something I will not spoil. Don’t go to “Malibu Rescue: Next Wave” for an answer because I can tell you this, it gives you the ending you’ve been wanting and waiting for since day one. It leaves you off with a feel good ending that could possibly influence you to try new things.

4.5 out of 5 stars. Both “Malibu Rescue” movies and TV show now streaming on Netflix.