Review of Murderball (2005) by Andy A — 08 Apr 2010

I typically don't care for too many sports-related documentaries. This film, however, is a terrific. An aggressive, inspiring, and often funny examination of the violent world of wheelchair rugby (which was originally dubbed Murderball, thus the name of the film), I loved literally every minute of this movie and the story it related.

Showing literally every element of the athletes it depicts, from describing what made them wheelchair-bound to begin with, what inspired them to play wheelchair rugby, how they accomplish simple tasks on their own sans functional legs, and even the more graphic details of how they still maintain an active physical love life (this is easily one of the most amusing and yet fascinating parts of the movie).

The central figures of the film aren't shown as tragic figures who need sympathy for their plight, but strong, independent men who could still probably beat you to a pulp without the use of their legs, or at least have the attitude and aggressiveness to convince you of that.

Not only a great documentary (one of my 5 favorites in that category, most likely), but a great movie all around.