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Review #190 of 365
Film: Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France [NR] 40 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $12.50
Where Viewed: Denver Museum of Nature & Science IMAX, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 20 July 2006
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Review Dedicated to: Thadeus V. of Colorado Springs, CO
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Since the old days of the Coors® Classic Bicycle Tour (approximately 1983-86 for me), when I first witnessed Greg LeMond cycling around winding mountain curves on the stage of the race that whizzed and whirred through the tiny, gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, the town of Estes Park, Colorado where I lived during the summers after high school; and he went on to become the FIRST USAer to win the grand daddy of all cycling races, I have dreamed of actually traveling to see the Tour de France for real. Well, I don't know if that dream will ever come to pass, however, the next best thing to being there up close and personal would be the incredible IMAX film Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France. Not only does the film, directed and co-written by Bayley Silleck, provide some breathtaking views of the race, the film, supported in part by the National Science Foundation, takes viewers through a more personal look at what is really going on inside the bodies and minds of cyclists in a race that has been called the most physically and mentally challenging athletic endurance competition on earth.
Lance Armstrong, Seven Time Tour de France ChampionArt Print
Watson, Graham
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Whether you agree or disagree with that assertion, because Lance Armstrong made it look easy, it's hard to argue when you see it happening the majesty of the event. Here you have some 200+ riders flowing like colorful molecules of wind around curves, over hills, up and down steep mountain passageways, and all the while concerned with nothing.
"…there's nothing like seeing the real…; however, this film, in its IMAX® splendor comes very close."
The film takes place in a year when Lance Armstrong wins the whole thing, but it does not focus on him. Instead it focuses on two other pro cyclists, the Australian-born, French-trained, sprinter Baden Cooke and his teammate, Frenchman Jimmy Caspar, allowing viewers to follow the Tour from their perspectives. Baden Cooke seeks to wear the Green Jersey for the best sprinter, and Jimmy Caspar has dreams of his best finish ever (this being his 4th attempt at the race with only one finish under his belt). The underlying point of the film, it takes the incredible sophistication of the human brain for us to be able to accomplish such feats of human endeavor, comes through loudly and clearly as the incredible synergy of man and machine leads equally to valiant victories and colossal collisions.
Tour de France 2004, Champs ElyseesArt Print
Watson, Graham
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In this case, that of Jimmy Caspar who goes head over heels over his handle bars in a crash near the end of a stage. Fortunately, his helmet does its job and prevents brain damage. As for the rest of his body, his neck in particular, and his pride, neither faired quite as well. The latter inspired him to get back on the bicycle the next day despite the obvious and excruciating pain in the other. His heroics make for a powerful story going on in the backdrop of his teammate, Cooke, and, of course, Lance Armstrong's.
1975 Tour Finish on the Champs ElyseesArt Print
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Though quite short, and sometimes the 'science' stuff gets a bit overly dramatic or intrusive, this is a truly spectacular look at what it would be like to race in the Tour or see it from the sidelines as it moves from town to town over the course of nearly three weeks each summer. I am certain there's nothing like seeing the real thing given the glimpse I had back during the Coors® Classic / Greg LeMond days; however, this film, in its IMAX® splendor, comes very close.
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Review-lite [150-word cap]
Since my days of watching Greg LeMond whizzing through the town of Estes Park, Colorado for the Coors® Classic, I dreamed of traveling to see the Tour de France. The next best thing might be the incredible IMAX® film Wired to Win: Surviving the Tour de France. Not only does the Bayley Silleck film provide breathtaking views of the race, the film examines what is going on inside the bodies and minds of cyclists during what has been called the most physically and mentally challenging athletic endurance competition on earth. While Lance Armstrong won that year, the film focuses on Australian sprinter Baden Cooke and his teammate, Frenchman Jimmy Caspar. The underlying theme--it takes the incredible sophistication of the human brain for humans to accomplish such endeavors as these--comes through loudly and clearly as the incredible synergy of man and machine leads equally to valiant victories and colossal collisions.
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