Fans of MotoGP racing circuit will get revved up over ‘Faster’

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, September 23, 2004

The success of recent documentaries on surfing and skateboarding have no doubt led to the release of “Faster,” a movie about another corner of extreme sports: MotoGP racing. In other words, really fast motorcycles.

The MotoGP circuit is much more popular in Europe and Asia than in the United States, which is odd given the huge fan base for NASCAR and other motor-oil-related sports. But maybe this movie will help spread the word.

It’s narrated by motorcycle buff Ewan McGregor, and was shot mostly during the 2001 and 2003 MotoGP seasons. Director Mark Neale shrewdly highlights the most colorful personalities in the competition.

“Faster” proves once again that if you point the cameras into any subculture, you’ll find a seething drama playing out. This stuff is life-and-death to fans and participants, even if the rest of the world has never heard of them.

For instance, a rivalry between two Italian racers, Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi, creates an instant source of friction. The film paints Rossi as a fun-loving matinee idol and Biaggi as a serious, vainglorious diva. Adding to the appeal is the fact that the two guys really dislike each other intensely.

Unfortunately, this peters out when it becomes clear that Rossi has much better equipment. He begins to dominate the sport.

A source of pathos is British racer Garry McCoy, who simply can’t keep his body together long enough to win. He wobbles out to his bike even when he’s got a metal rod in his leg – a courageous fellow, if not entirely sane.

The racing footage is copious, and so is the crash footage. All these riders take a spill at one time or another, and having their bodies flopping rag-doll-like across the course is part of the deal, apparently. It’s amazing how often they leap to their feet and struggle to get back on the bike.

“Faster” will be of interest to fans, but it’s hard to recommend it beyond that circle. The fantasy aspects of a surfing movie aren’t here, and eventually, to non-devotees, it looks like a bunch of guys going around in circles.

“Faster” H

Going in circles: A couple of seasons on the MotoGP circuit in which men who ride motorcycles (and often crash them) really fast. Speed junkies will like it, but after a while it looks like people going around in circles a lot.

Rated: PG-13 rating is for language, subject matter.

Now showing: Varsity.