ESPN's Ultimate X DVD

To some they may just be a group of overgrown kids who never grew up, but to the skaters, BMX riders and stunt bikers who appear in the documentary Ultimate X their way of life is a calling. Bruce Hendricks's film of the 10th annual X games in Philadelphia not only goes some way to explaining the philosophy behind the lifestyle, it also features some of the most astonishing sporting footage committed to camera in recent years. During the course of the film's breakneck 30 minutes, the viewer will often find themselves repeating chapters just to make sure that they really... have seen what they thought they saw--especially during the incredible stunts of the freestyle motor cross bikers. Yet Ultimate X is more than just a collection of flashy images, it makes an excellent attempt to give an insight into the scene through interviews with some of its major figures. While a couple fit the beach bum stereotype, the majority are lucid, articulate and obviously deeply skilled athletes. At the end of the day, however, what sticks in the mind about this remarkable film is the breathtaking combination of visual images, editing and crucially cool rock soundtrack--the sequence that ties the Foo Fighters' "Learn to Fly" with the Motor X Big Air competition alone is worthy of an Oscar. This is the best documentary of its kind since the acclaimed Hoop Dreams. On the DVD: Ultimate X comes in at a tidy half-hour, so the DVD fleshes out the feature with a range of extra footage. The interactive version of the movie offers the viewer a selection of icons that allow them entry into athlete profiles, a detailed look at their medal-winning runs, related features and tips on the various disciplines. As befits a film that places such store on the combination of music (ranging from Black Sabbath to Sum 41) and visuals, both elements are presented in pristine digital quality. --Phil Udell [show more]

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