Isle of Man premiere for critically acclaimed TT3D: Closer to the Edge
Monday evening sees the Isle of Man premiere of the critically-acclaimed TT feature film TT3D: Closer to the Edge.
The invitation only event is the first chance for fans in the Island to see the 3D film which has wowed critics, racers and motorcycle industry insiders in the past few weeks.
The Isle of Man premiere of the film, which charts the 2010 TT and explores the passion inside road racing with particular attention on Guy Martin and Conor Cummins, coincides with the 2011 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy launch event being held on Tuesday evening from 7.30pm.
The free event, which is open to all, will see leading riders, TT newcomers, team bosses and more talk about this year’s races. Video from the evening will be available to watch on iomtt.com, while Manx Radio will be broadcasting live.
There have been a series of pre-release screenings of TT3D: Closer to the Edge, narrated by Hollywood star and musician Jared Leto. Last week the film was shown in Belfast and London.
The movie has been excellently received by critics, from both inside and outside the motorcycle sport media.
The News of the World’s film critic Robbie Collin gave TT3D: Closer to the Edge four out of five stars and called it a ‘fantastic documentary’.
He adds:
“The film’s shot mostly in ‘proper’ 3D, which brings your face millimetres from the scorching Tarmac and makes every race – and crash – feel blisteringly tense. There are also plenty of stunning ultra-slow-motion bits that show how the track takes its toll on the bikes and riders.”
The review goes on to say:
“The film brilliantly captures the thrill and risk of the race, and the passion and insanity of the people who take part. And it looks astounding. AND the 3D’s nicely used.”
Andy Lea of the Daily Star Sunday also gave TT3D: Closer to the Edge a four star review and described it as ‘riveting’.
Another four-star review came from the Sunday Mirror’s Mark Adams.
He said TT3D: Closer to the Edge was an “exhilarating and enjoyable 3D film about the world’s most dangerous road race and the elite riders who risk all to take part”.
He adds:
“You get right into the high-octane excitement, though it’s as much about the personalities as the bikes.”
The Telegraph’s Simon Briggs says there are ‘few dramas that match TT3D’ and adds the on-board and helicopter footage ‘bring home just how narrow the margins are’.
Writing the Belfast Telegraph following the pre-release screening of TT3D: Closer to the Edge in the city’s Film Festival last week, Andrew Johnston was another critic to give the film four stars out of five.
He calls it a ‘gripping documentary’ with an ‘inbuilt dramatic tension to the story’.
The review concludes:
“TT3D: Closer to the Edge takes the viewer on a wild journey into man’s obsession with speed and the will to win.”
Leading film industry magazine Empire saw reviewer Phil de Semlyen offer up yet another four out of five stars and say the TT3D: Closer to the Edge would be exhilarating in two-dimension.
He adds:
“The Isle of Man TT is pure cinema – an insane blur of leather and machines that claims several lives every year – and director Richard de Aragues shows the bikers in the fearless element.”
“As the bikers career through tiny villages at 200mph, there’s so little margin for error they may as well be podracing through Emmerdale.”
“It all makes for a motorsports movie you don’t need to be a petrolhead to enjoy.”
Motoring website pistonheads.com called it an ‘amazing’ behind-the-scenes documentary and a ‘must-see’.
Reviewer Dan Trent said:
“You don’t need to be a TT devotee or even a biker to appreciate the on-screen drama, the basis of which seems tailor-made for a flm script.”
“The producers shot over 500 hours of footage, much of it with 3D cameras requiring a team of up to 40 people. The 90-minute running time of the finished piece is beautifully paced too, capturing the calm and reflection as well as the moments of flat-out drama.”
TT3D: Closer to the Edge is in cinemas from Friday. Find out more at the film’s official website.