Charley Boorman: Race To Dakar
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DVD details
Producer: Charley BoormanProducer: Russ Malkin
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC
Running Time: 354 minutes
DVD Reviews of Charley Boorman: Race To Dakar
DVD Review: BOOR-MAN
Summary: 1 Stars
Charlie Boorman in `RACE TO DAKAR'
Having recently given this one a go, this reviewer was left with a rather underwhelming experience. Lots of head shots of the toothy English Star on his `diary cam' with extended diatribes detailing his inner-most insecurities. Same shots of the Film Director, repeatedly chronicling his complaints and the various difficulties, problems, mishaps, breakdowns, accidents, etc. All include liberal doses of invective, and naval (or construction site) language.
Included are such spellbinding scenes of the aptly named Star of the film, signing up for a gym, receiving a body fat index measurement (he wins bigtime) and doing pushups with the assistance of a personal trainer. In addition Boorman fans are treated to motorcycle action shots of himself and a professional rider, Simon, (who valiantly tries to hide his real feelings), puttering about the English woods. This series culminates in the Star entering and riding in 3 amateur motocross races (which compromised the body of his initial pre-dakar racing experience). In these races, he receives several DNF's (pulling out due to fatigue and or soreness) and finally one finish with a 17th place.
Lots of this kind of stuff, liberally interspersed with more of the `diary cam' head shot babblings, home scenes with his families comments, (the pre-adolescent daughter's comments are particularly relevant), action scenes of the `team' being assembled, the garage being chosen, the 3rd racer buying antiques at an outdoor 4 am auction, a big truck being hired and so on and on. After a little more of this than a reasonable person can be expected to endure, the action finally moves to the actual Dakar Race itself. The viewer is treated to a few scenes of the race itself, with 3 to 5 second shots of actual car and bike race action (including several mishaps). Thankfully for viewers with short term memory loss, these same scenes are repeated over and over. It is possible that many will not notice the repetition, since they are sort of `cleverly' dispersed throughout the footage. Then back to the `diary cam' and many `behind the scenes' shots of bikes coming into the camp, bikes leaving the camp, the action at the camp while they wait for the bikes to come back or leave. Other exciting scenes include the racers sleeping and race participants in the cafeteria line. There is even one insightful scene of the mechanic sleeping and being awakened by one of the real racers (Simon) requesting bike prep for the upcoming race leg. The somnambulant mechanic makes such informed and astute suggestions as `didja check the fluids'. Thrilling and informative action indeed.
A few more short scenes of the racing action from the helmet cams. Some arguments interspersed with the same language noted previously. A major mishap occurs as the Star crashes and injures himself, which takes him out of the race. The film crew's 4WD breaks and there is a lot of film dedicated to this issue, further emphasized with the trademark scene repetition. The ordering of replacement parts is painstakingly detailed and the whole repair is exhaustingly documented. The many shots of the stationary vehicle add emphasis to the direness of the situation, as do the shots of the many folks stopping to offer a hand, water, communication service, etc. The shots of the film crew Chief calling England on his satellite phone are superb. Meanwhile a out of the race and visibly relieved Star waves his bandaged arms about and comments extensively on camera, he also flies around on a big cargo plane, although the reason is not really made clear, while kind of squished behind the pilot's compartment, (the camera is carefully positioned to make this clear). To Boorman's credit after his crash, he rides a long way with broken bones in his hands, this takes real guts, so he has it in him, but surprisingly this is underplayed.
There is s same map sequence repeated sort of randomly with the same red flashing dot in the same place, which is the site of the 4WD breakdown and initially meant something, but it is not terribly clear why this is repeated from scene to scene. Lots of random shots of different stuff including some short `head cam' action from the 2 remaining real racers traveling what looks to be the same (or same type of) crummy dirt / sand road. Then more `diary cam' action, more behind the scenes action, more complaining, etc. etc., on and on, until finally this reviewer ended up with a DNF.
To sum up, since there are 2 discs and hours of what some may feel is viewing pleasure. This film is probably a great choice for those who have lots of time on their hands, a predilection for salty language, little to do and few viewing choices, such as the incarcerated.
Rating based upon the international FF scale:
7 of 10 at 1X FF and 4 of 10 at 2X FF along with finally receiving a DNF
Although this reviewer loves motorcycles, the same passion cannot be extended to this piece of film work and it's not just because riding motorcycles is always better than watching them.
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