Whether or not
you understand the mentality of the oversized bodybuilders competing for the
annual title of Mr. Olympia, there is no denying that the stories of each of
these men is in itself fascinating enough to make this film interesting to gym
rats and couch potatoes alike. A few of them are angry and aggressive, which
makes them less likeable but no more compelling to watch. They all have egos to
help convey an added sense of confidence, but it is interesting to see what really
drives men like this to reach extreme sizes, even at the expense of their own
health.
There is clearly
an effort to avoid offending fans of the sport, which means a limited portion
of the film addressing the startling increase in steroid usage among
competitors. It has now become so commonplace that sizes have become extreme
and unrealistic, which is made especially apparent when comparing Generation
Iron to Pumping Iron (1977). Even Schwarzenegger’s brief appearance commenting
on the changes in the sport addresses the dependence on drugs in bodybuilders’
regiment.
Staying unbiased
would have been enough, but filmmaker Vlad Yudin devotes such a small portion
of the film to addressing the topic of steroids, and most among the interviewed
defend the use of them. Instead, the majority of the film focuses on the
dedication that the competitors have to training, from their exercise regiment
to the carefully constructed diet. The filmmaking remains a bit too gentle in
the approach to the subject, attempting to make these athletes look more
impressive by focusing all attention on the positive attributes needed to
achieve what they do. There is just
enough footage of the outbursts and silly behavior to see that most of these
men are over-sized infants in their emotional stability, but merely enough to
know that there must be much more beneath the surface.
The DVD includes
a commentary track with filmmaker Yudin and meathead Phil Heath. There is also
a behind-the-scenes featurette and some additional footage, including the
extended interview with Lou Ferrigno.
Entertainment Value:
7/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 5.5/10
Historical
Significance: 6.5/10
Special Features: 6.5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment