Faster

I don't know how to ride a motorcycle (I'm a car guy). I've never watched MotoGP on TV. I can't tell a Honda from a Yamaha if placed in front of me. And yet, I was simply and totally captivated by this DVD.I admit I do enjoy Ewan McGregor's movies, and I especially enjoyed 'Long Way Round'. This was a guy who seemed to know what he was doing, so it was on the basis of this (and my being rather bored one day) that I bought this DVD. I didn't know what to expect. But I can tell you now: it was better than anything I could have imagined.Basically, this is a documentary following the people and events during two seasons of MotoGP. The cast of characters is colorful. There is the rock-star-like veteran, the meteoric challenger, the likeable everyman plagued by bad luck, the young rookie, and the mad doctor looking after the whole flock. The documentary takes a sympathetic look at these guys, charting their ups and downs over 2 tumultuous seasons of furious racing and pain-staking preparations. The battles between them on the track are riveting and dramatic. Full of dirty tricks, bitter mindgames, and hot-blooded racing with multiple overtaking maneuvers. Think of all the racing movies you've ever watched (Le Mans, Days of Thunder, Driven etc etc) - this beats them all by a wide margin in terms of drama and tension ... and it's all real life ! After this, you'll probably never be thrilled by F1, Indy, NASCAR or any race on 4 wheels ever again - where you'll be lucky to get one breath-taking overtaking move per race, not several per lap as in MotoGP.This documentary has really remarkable access to all the big stars in the sport. The heroes, the prima-donnas, and the hotshot rookies all open themselves to the camera. And they all turn out to be charismatic, genuine and 'human' individuals. Any movie screenplay would struggle to depict characters as instantly sympathetic as this bunch of bikers. You simply cannot imagine Schumacher, Alonso and co from Formula 1 doing a DVD like this - where you the viewer can get up close and ride with them. Magic. The only thing comparable in my experience would have to be the 'Metallica: Some Kind of Monster' documentary - in terms of the close, personal access to mega-stars that the film-makers had.The race footage is brilliant, and matched with a decent soundtrack. Watching the races (albeit highlights only) was enough to get the pulse rate up. The film-makers do a good job keeping the pace of the film running along just right. The thrash-speed races intercut well between the more introspective looks at the invidual riders. Nice job.The DVD offers good extras. The ability to follow key laps of key races with any one of the key riders is an interesting touch. It allows the viewer to see exactly how the race was won or lost from the perspective of each protagonist. But the best extra of all was the 'sequel' documentary, following the riders on the next two seasons. After an exhilirating film like this, you don't want it to just end like that - you keep on wanting to know what happens next. For me, that's a mark of a successful film.Well, you can see that I liked this film. Watching it has not spurred me on to get a motorbike licence (I still prefer my turbo 4WD car), but it HAS excited me enough that I'll be tuning in to MotoGP this season.You don't have to be a bike fan to enjoy this DVD (I wasn't). I would recommend it to anyone who: - enjoys real-life drama (actually melodrama !) - enjoys good documentary film-making - or simply has a bit of 'speed' in their blood

This movie is to the MotoGP world what "On Any Sunday" was to the weekend rider. It captures the extraordinary golden age we are witnessing in top-level motorcycle racing. The movie starts with the last season of the monster, high-siding 2-stoke beasts through the raw power of the new 4-stoke era. The top riders, Biaggi, Gibernau, Edwards, Hodgson, Capirossi and of course, the incomparable Valentino Rossi are all profiled along with their bikes: RCV211, the M-1 and the Desmosedici. The movie rounds out the cast with insightful perspective from Michael Scott, Wayne Rainey (you would be hard pressed for a more admirable profile in courage of this man, crippled by a deceptively graceful low side crash), Kevin Schwantz and Barry Sheene.If all this sounds too technical, the human story comes through extraordinarily well. The racing is incredibly close, with riders often passing each other three times in the same corner. And there is a supporting cast of characters the like of which you could not invent: the lady mechanic who has to piece together the crash-prone Haga's bikes, the Rosencrantz/Gilderstein banter of the Red Bull pit crew, the cod philosophy of the famous Dr Costa who pieces these warriors back together and the underplayed melancholy of the unfortunate Kato's fatal crash.For any 2 wheeled fan or rider this DVD stands next to your "On Any Sunday". Like its famous predecessor, the narration is calm and pointed (thank you Obi Wan) and the film makers keep a low profile, letting the players speak for themselves. For anyone interested in an adrenalin paced, gladiatorial sport this is a great insight into one of the toughest around. And remember, MotoGP comes to the USA in 2005 for the first time in 10 years and most of the cast will be there. Buy it.

My family and I are huge race fans, especially when it comes to MotoGP and Vale. I came across Faster on Instant Prime and fell in love, the doctor once again is the main star in this documentary! I love the racing footage, the candid interviews of Vale, his family, team mates and fellow competitors, plus footage from his hometown!! Even for the die hard fan like me, this documentary shed more light on Vale (such as him riding Motorcross in his spare time- which totally explains his riding style on the track).Bottom line, I highly recommend this movie, it's exciting and funny from start to finish, there's some heartfelt footage of Simoncelli, the footage, interviews and b-role are seamlessly merged together which makes for one equally gripping documentary as it would if you were watching a race. I ended up buying the DVD and can't wait to give it a Christmas present. ...Also, since Faster was so good, I'm waiting to find out if Fastest is equally good if not better?

I bought this DVD and it is one of the finest racing movies ever made.It hooked me on MOTOGP forever.I just absolutely love bike racing.It just totally rocks.These people have guts like you wouldn't believe.No other form of racing has people driving injured like this sport.It follows a up and coming John Hopkins and a veteran driver who is really good but has no luck.You get to see the rivalry between Rossi and Biaggi and interviews of former champions.You get to see the miracle working clinic doctor who saved 5 time champion Mick Doohans leg.After seeing this movie you will understand why these modern day gladiators risk themselves for this great sport.It's adrenaline pumping action from end to end.Buy it and then tune in to Speedchannel and watch MotoGP and AMA Pro Racing.You won't regret it.

Entertaining if you like motorcycle racing.

a avoir dans sa videotheque absolument avec tous les autres qu'il va falloir que ej prenne au fur et a mesure; superbe idée que ces fasters; des pilotes differents suivant les années, on en decouvre toujours un peu sur eux!

Bellissimo cofanetto di ottima fattura, due dvd veramente speciali , veramente fatto con cura audio e scene da mozzafiato ,soprattutto la parte che riguarda le 500 che un ragazzo giovane come me non ha vissuto in prima persona . grazie a questo cofanetto ho vissuto in prima persona i momenti più belli della classe 500

Wer sich für das Thema Motorradrennsport interessiert, egal ob selbst unterwegs oder nur von der Couch aus sollte sich diese Sportdoku unbedingt zu Gemüte führen. Ist wohl der beste Film den es diesbezüglich gibt. Gelungene Aufnahmen, nette Interviews und auch die "Out-Takes" sind sehenswert. Und "McCoy's strange spinning style" muss man sowieso gesehen haben. Ewan McGregor als Erzähler ist ebenso schwer in Ordnung. Auch für Leute die sich für Moppeds generell nicht interessieren wärmstens zu empfehlen.

If like me, you feel a little starved of your favourite sport (MotoGP) during the winter months , this will help you through the Winter famine.Narrated by top biker-bloke Ewan 'Obi-Wan' McGreggor, this double DVD is packed with action, rider interviews, special features and drama. Disc one covers the final year of the old 500cc two strokes and the emergance of new four-stroke machines. The second disc covers the 2003 season and some of the 2004 season. Its a shame it didn't cover more of this years 2004 championship with Rossi moving to Yamaha - so lets hope there's another film out next year to cover this classic season.Its a good film for any genuine fan and those who may just have an interest. It gives a genuine insight in to the sport and the characters involved. Its much better than those end of season highlites videos which never seem to show any of the racing.Highly recommended....