Faster | 
| Director: Mark Neale (ii)
Actors: Valentino Rossi, Barry Sheene, Jeremy Burgess, Peter Clifford, Dr. Claudio Costa
Studio: NEW VIDEO GROUP
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $9.53
You Save: $10.42 (52%)
New (32) Used (12) Collectible (1) from $8.40
Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 9582
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Ntsc, Subtitled
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D9678D
ISBN: 0767073541
UPC: 767685967836
EAN: 9780767073547
ASIN: B0003JAO5Y
Theatrical Release Date: March 7, 2004
Release Date: November 30, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW AND FACTORY SEALED
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Even if you've never witnessed the intensity of MotoGP motorcycle racing, Faster will take your breath away. It's a perfect primer for newcomers, offering a comprehensive survey of the fastest sport on two wheels, and it's guaranteed to satisfy hardcore fans with its detailed history, profiles of the top riders from the 2001-02 seasons, highlights of spectacular crashes and unforgettable races, and a veritable feast of the best MotoGP cinematography you're ever likely to see. From front-and-rearview cycle cameras to swooping overhead track coverage, filmmaker Mark Neale immerses the viewer in the MotoGP experience, enhancing the adrenaline-pumping visuals with expert interviews and commentary (and cool, low-key narration by globetrotting cycle-lover Ewan McGregor) that any sportswriter would consider authoritative. Literally and figuratively, a lot of ground gets covered: From Kenny Roberts and the late Barry Sheene discussing their innovative knee-dragging styles and the origins of rear-wheel steering to the colorful rivalry of Max Biaggi and reigning champion Valentino Rossi (including Biaggi's infamous "Elbow Incident" at Suzuka in 2001), Faster never loses sight of the human element that makes this ultra-dangerous sport so fascinating. Track physician "Dr. Costa" is profiled (and offers some eloquently philosophical thoughts about MotoGP riders), along with innovative rider Garry McCoy (plagued by injuries); former champion Wayne Rainey (now paraplegic and active in kart-racing); young prodigy John Hopkins in his rookie season; and several other prominent figures in the world of MotoGP. The bonus disc includes Faster & Faster, a sequel covering the 2003 and 2004 seasons, which saw the rise of the 500cc 4-stroke engine (and speeds in excess of 215 mph), Ducati's dominance and trend-setting removal of engine silencers (to boost power); Rossi's move to Yamaha; the fatal crash of Daijiro Kato; the victories of Sete Gibernau; and the rookie debuts of Neil Hodgson, Ruben Xaus, and Shane Byrne. Through it all, Faster and its sequel serve as the ultimate guide to MotoGP, certain to inspire future champions and armchair fans alike. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
The world of Motorcycle Grand Prix racing attracts thrill-seeking competitors who feel the need for speed, competition, and the glorious feeling of victory. This Slamdance Film Festival-favorite takes a look at the sport, and was written and directed by acclaimed documentarian Mark Neale (WILLIAM GIBSON: NO MAPS FOR THESE TERRITORIES). Actor Ewan McGregor (TRAINSPOTTING, STAR WARS) is a huge fan of the sport, providing an enthusiastic voice-over commentary for Neale's film. The action unfurls over five continents and two seasons of the World Championship, and is neatly balanced between spectacular on-track performances, and contemplative off-track interviews. Neale really gets his teeth into the subject, speaking to riders, fans, mechanics, and even doctors, who are often called upon to deal with some hair-raising crashes. A welcome addition to the ever growing cannon of documentary films, FASTER is a movie which should appeal to both fans of the sport, and curiosity seekers looking to
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| Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
 The Battle for Speed December 19, 2004
C. Thwaites (WEST HARTFORD, CT USA)
34 out of 35 found this review helpful
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 Desomosedici. 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 Schwartz 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.
2005 is going to be terrific! January 21, 2005
Steve Hansu Kim (Orange County, CA)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
They're nothing else like it on earth! If you're interested in MotoGP, the most elite road racing series in the world, this dvd is the bible. Beautifully narrated by Ewing McGregor, the rest of the world's 2nd most loved sport, behind futbol ofcourse, we are guided through the nitty gritty world of factory backed MotoGP.
In the world of MotoGP, 2004 was one of the most historically profound seasons ever. Most of you will already know because Valentino Rossi moved from the tried and true Honda to the inferior Yamaha, just to prove a point. That it's 80% rider and 20% bike. When Vale took home the 2nd MotoGP championship in '03 on a Honda, Honda started getting big headed. Implying that with their machine, good racers will become great racers. Vale could only take so much. He decided to move to the big underdog known as Yamaha for '04. During his previous battles on the Honda, great riders such as Max Biaggi would whine about how if he only had a Honda to ride, he could win. Vale went to Yamaha with his chief mechanic Jeremy Burguess to ride in the greatest epic journey in history.
And against all odds, against everybodies doubts, and against great advisaries, Valentino Rossi took his 3rd MotoGP championship in a row. On a different bike. On a bike that even he thought at the beginning of the season, wouldn't even be competitive for two years. We are living in an era that'll forever be written in MotoGP history.
For 2005, MotoGP will come to U.S. soil. July 10th, the madness will reign here at Laguna Seca. Yamaha has donated more than $2-million to rennovate the track for MotoGP standards. Tickets are almost sold out.
And that brings me back to Faster. With the purchase of Faster, you'll receive Faster and Faster. Faster (part 1) starts with MotoGP still racing 500cc two-strokes from 2001-2002. Faster and Faster (part 2) will start with the end of the two-stroke era and leads into a grid full of the much faster four-strokes.
The Faster collection is an essential prequel to the much anticipated 2005 season. The dvd is a must own in any motorcycle enthusiast's archive.
To step into the world of MotoGP you can visit www.MotoGP.com, www.fanclubvalentinorossi.com, www.ceracing.com, www.nickyhayden.com
The best guide to the world of MotoGP April 29, 2005
DG
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
If you're unfamiliar with MotoGP and are wondering whether this is something you might be interested in, this video will either make you a fan or have you move on. If you ever watch an F1 race and wonder what it would be like if there was no pitting and a lot more passing, you've been denying yourself the pleasure of MotoGP for too long. If you ever wonder why "sport" is in the word "motorsport", this will convince you.
This video doesn't hang together well enough to be called a film. It's almost like the ultimate coffee table book: full of intense images and concise information in short articles. An attempt is made to follow the careers of two riders (McCoy and Hopkins) but the threads are too episodic to sustain much drama or narrative. Instead the value comes from interviews and highlights on topics like the origin of rear-wheel steering, great rivalries (Rainey-Schwantz, Rossi-Biaggi), great comebacks (Doohan), the advent of 4-strokes, testing and setup, etc.
If you've already seen the movie at theaters but aren't sure if you want to buy the 2-disc DVD, don't hesitate. The additional material and improved sound quality are definitely worth it.
If you've been watching MotoGP races on SpeedTV, watching this video will give you a much, much better understanding of the racing you're seeing now. A must-buy.
 Great Documentary November 19, 2004
Sean Fao (Mount Airy, Maryland USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is what motorcycle racing is all about. Probably the best documentary I've seen on the sport.
The first DVD focuses on the 01-02 seasons while the second focuses on the 03 season.
Get up close and personal with your favorite riders. I highly recommend this for any motorcycle racing fans.
The finest motorcycle documentary in 30 years December 12, 2004
John Doh! (South Bend, IN United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I purchased the pre-release version, which only contains the first documentary, so I can't address the second season. I really enjoyed this film, and when a fellow rider and I viewed it with his non-riding wife, she liked it as well.
This film portrays riding at the higest levels in a quite balanced way. While the dangers are certainly not ignored, and in fact addressed regularly throughout, neither does it become a documentary about extremely painful injuries. The danger serves to underline how special the men who ride MotoGP (the current Superstar series) really are. To race again after some of the injuries these men have suffered is nothing less than heroic.
The video quality is good, and serves to capture the beauty of a motorcycle race - like a brutal ballet. Oh, the things these men can do with a motorcycle! This film is really one form of art capturing the essence of another. Ewan Mcgreggor's voice over is very good, well written and delivered, as one would expect. For some reason, it would sound odd to to me for an American accent narrating MotoGP.
I agree with an earlier reviewer that it was a little unkind to Max Biaggi, with a lot of emphasis placed on the Rossi/Biaggi rivalry. Biaggi is very good, but NOBODY is as good as Rossi, so anyone suffers by comparison. I also thought the focus on Gary McCoy was a little less interesting than the rest of the film, but of course, the filmakers had no idea of how the season would turn out when they shot the footage, and showing the flip side of Rossi's mastery only serves to highlight his brilliance. My only other criticism was that interviews were generally done in cars. It may be difficult to get time with these riders, but inside a vehicle is not the perfect place for an interview. A minor complaint, particularly considering the pleasure of hearing Barry Sheene, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Raney, Kenny Roberts and other truly great riders discuss what many consider the ultimate sport, and critique todays great riders.
After writing this review, I decided to change my rating from 4 stars to 5. The film may have some minor flaws, but it is the best motorcycle film in my lifetime, and one of the greatest ever.
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