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Movie review | Rogue Elements

The current TGR strip: Pretty but shallow

by Robert Bachmann • 02/01/2018
Teton Gravity Research
Teton Gravity Research
First things first: I find it difficult to write this review. That's not because I don't have an opinion on the movie. It's mainly because I did watch the movie, but nothing really stuck with me. Powder here, powder there, bad conditions in South America, seals, Chamonix, Johnny Collinson.

And Ian Macintosh's response to Dane Tudor's question as to whether anyone had any suggestions for slough management on the descent of Mount Sampson: "Yeah! I mean... Uh... Go fast."

Rogue Elements does have its high points when it comes to the communication between the athletes. I laughed, or at least smiled, at several points, which speaks to the entertainment value of the movie.

Overall, however, it has to be said that Rogue Elements is not necessarily the best film in TGR's large catalog. Solid fare, beautiful shots and nice entertainment. Whether that's reason enough to buy the thing is something everyone has to decide for themselves.

After an intro with a female narrator's voice (which you will unfortunately never hear again afterwards), it actually starts with my personal highlight. Driving music, strong recordings, strong driving. Really good. After that, the tension slowly but steadily diminishes and the movie creeps along a little. This is followed by several geographically organized parts: Alaska, Jackson Hole, Chamonix, BC, Bolivia and 1000 other parts of BC.

Teton Gravity Research
Teton Gravity Research

My personal low point is the second Jackson Hole segment, in which two mountain bikers ride Corbet's Couloir in spring conditions and Tim Durtschi cruises behind them as a supporting actor. I find the idea alone unappealing and having to watch this nonsense is just annoying. It should be noted, however, that the female mountain biker performs what is probably the hardest slam in the movie during the end credits. It hurts to watch and confirmed to me that you really don't need something like that. Ouch.

I was surprised by how likeable Johnny Collinson comes across here. After his part in the Faction film had me constantly shaking my head at his incredible headlessness, he appears in a much more comprehensible light here. Sure: he likes to put himself in the limelight and takes himself apart hard and often. You can like that or not. What you can't deny is that he's a real character, and you can't really give him enough credit for that: If you don't like him, you can at least hate him with a fervor.

The trailer

Quick summary of the other things I've memorized: South America scores with beautiful nature and terrible snow. The street part reminds me a bit of All I Can and Tim Durtschi talks a lot of nonsense. The End.

Conclusion

Solid fare from TGR. Unfortunately, little sticks. 6/10

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