by Tim Kreitz

Every so often, a motorsports documentary comes along that captures not only the absolute ambiance of its subject matter, but a lingering zeitgeist that haunts us when we watch it again years later. Bruce Brown did it with On Any Sunday. Claude Du Boc did it with One by One. These films are more than just documentaries, they are time capsules that conjure within us the opening of mental portals into the past.

Now, director Mark Neale joins such elite company with his outstanding chronicle of the MotoGP motorcycle series, Faster.

Faster follows the 2001 and 2002 racing seasons, intermingling interviews and commentary with heartpumping race footage. Narration is provided by Hollywood heavyweight Ewan McGregor, himself an avid motorcyclist and race fan. Current and former racers, including Valentino Rossi, Sete Gibernau, Max Biaggi, Gary McCoy, John Hopkins, Kevin Schwantz, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, and the late Barry Sheen (who succumbed to cancer last year) provide philosophy and opinion on the sport they love. Along the way, viewers are treated to a tantilizing taste of the triumphs, rivalries, dedication, and machinery that makes MotoGP the premiere motorcycle roadracing series in the world.

A significant aspect of the film is that it was made during an era that will arguably be viewed as one of the most important in motorcycle roadracing history. Bike design, tire technology, and rider talent have all reached dizzying new heights over the last few years, resulting in many broken records and bones alike.

All in all, the film is utterly brilliant and falls into the obligatory must-have category for any serious moto fan. Available now in a 2 DVD set that includes a short etude film and lots of extras, Faster does not disappoint.

Much like On Any Sunday and One by One, it'll be tons of nostalgic fun to watch Faster 20 or 30 years from now.

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