Review of TT3D: Closer to the Edge (2011) by William D — 05 Jun 2012

The Isle of Man. Never has it been captured on film like this, probably not since 1935's No Limit nor beautifully shot and gorgeously photographed to show audiences the Island and its natural beauty and humbling wonder. Yes, it's been used for settings in the past but no film before or since then has accomplished the task by presenting it with such justice and as the title suggests, it's about what the Island is most famous for - the TT races - and Closer to the Edge is pretty darn straight as it gives a terrifically exciting impression and on what it's like to be the bikers pushing it to the metal while filmed rather close to the wheels and it wouldn't be that much of the white-knuckle ride as it is shown here without the 3D camerawork to give it more stimulation even if it's just the tip of a massive iceberg or simply the cherry on top.

It's not just the thrills this feature documentary delivers though as it gives harrowing depictions on some of the 230-odd crashes and the number of lives claimed to be lost throughout the 100 years since 1907 that the races have been held with each shot taken in slow-mo and executed to an extent that's enough to clench your teeth in discomfort and almost disturbing and even tear-jerkingly poignant to do so much as stare at it. Of course, this is only just to get the point across that these people have only one belief and that is you only get one shot in life and that is to enter a race as dangerous and extreme as this year after year and carry on to do so even if they only did it once, yet their deaths in trying to win have provided inspiration to today's adrenaline-seeking racer wannabes and champions and left such a tragic mark on their bereaved loved ones.

Narrated by Jared Leto, the film follows John McGuiness, Ian Hutchinson to name a few of the top bikers the world has got to offer as the days lead up towards the 2010 races. Guy Martin, however is billed as the main star of the show. He may hog the limelight with his care-free, rebellious attitude towards life in general, stubbornness to accept reality when grave errors or incidents are to occur and when people are trying to talk him out of entering, his maverick frame of mind and insane sense of humour but he never misses out on every opportunity to steal every section he's in whether it's during interviews, preparing his pride and joy or out on the road. He, along with the others who are given a fair amount of screen time, have his own story to tell. But in spite of all this, I felt a little short-changed as I felt there was more to Guy's story as it may seem. He explains that he has to face his rivals and yet it is never made known that he did. You may think I've been living in a cave to know of his near-fatal collision where his bike goes up in a fireball and for him to catch fire but live to tell the tale but I didn't completely hear what happened unless it was that that occurred when he tried to beat his adversaries. Perhaps there also is one interview too many with Paul "Dobsy" Dobbs' widow Bridget and other mourning family members and friends being obvious exceptions as we want to sympathise with them as well as be electrified.

Like other IOM films, the residents, like me, can all have a game of "Guess the Place Name" and you never know, your face might be seen. I feared I might during the time I lost my glasses on the "Freak Out" ride at the annual TT Funfair, which is depicted here along with the stunt displays and Purple Helmets motorcycling team, that of which would have made an unexpected comedic moment. The Tourist Trophy Races have never been shown like this, nor will they ever be on the small and big screen. There is no shadow of a doubt this will be shown every year for a new generation who have yet to watch these events for real to see and take a mental note on what's good and bad about them as this thought-provoking and exhilarating 3D sports movie directed with flair by Richard De Aragues clearly displays.