Review of TT3D: Closer to the Edge (2011) by Stu J — 21 Oct 2011

Following so closely on the heels of the Aussie release of the excellent Senna, TT3D: Closer to the Edge initially screams "cash in!". But it's not far into this documentary on the popular Isle of Man motorcycle race that it becomes apparent that this is a film of similar quality.

Why the film is presented in 3D is a mystery. Did anybody miss Senna not being in 3D? No. And neither would they this. The 3D presentation doesn't destroy the movie, mind, it's just redundant. It does, however, command a higher ticket price.......

TT3D is an example of a documentary that just happens to be fortunate enough to be following the right person at the right time. Who would have thought of the drama that would unfold between Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell in the The King of Kong, for example? Or that Metallica would happen to fall apart during the filming of the otherwise routine Some Kind of Monster? Similarly, in following motorcycle larrikin, Guy Martin, the unfolding drama in TT3D couldn't have been better were it scripted.

The success of the film hinges on Martin. All tousled hair and scruffy sideburns with a hint of craziness in his eyes and grease under his fingernails, Martin is the ultimate subject for a film. A candid, incessant talker and a maverick in his field, Martin relays his life philosophy from wanking to facing death to sticking it to stuffy race bureaucrats in a most entertaining and playful fashion. We hear from other racing personalities along the way but it is Martin who we take into our hearts; it is the man who openly admits preferring motorcycles to shagging that we want to win.

And then, of course, we have the thrills and spills of the race itself which has claimed over 230 lives in its short 104 year history.

Naturally, TT3D will mostly attract fans of motorcycle racing but it is probably those who are ignorant of the sport (such as I) who stand to draw most from the film. Like any story, not knowing how it ends makes for a more thrilling ride, and TT3D (almost literally) has a plot climax to die for.