Title: The Second Spectacle

Author: Clay Porter ( Distinction Productions )

Running Time: ~37 minutes (+DVD extras)

Format: DVD ONLY                                                                              

Action: Norba DH and 4X Action from 2003 Season, Dirt Jumping

Finally finally finally! A movie which is all about the racing! The last year has seen a major increase and popularity of the "new skool" video's (which I'm not saying is a bad thing) but here at Farkin.net we have longed for a video which shows how our Aussie riders have dominated the recent 2003 American Norba National series. The Second Spectacle brings us the entire 2003 Norba national series from locations such as Idaho, Big Bear, Mt Snow, The Sea Otter Classic, Durango... the list goes on.

Action:

The action starts with a fantasic intro showing highlights from all of the season giving you a taste of whats to come in the following 40mins. Aussie names featured in the film include Rennie, Hill, Panozzo, Graves, Hannah and Kovarik to name a few. The Aussies get a really good slice of the pie in this film showing Clay's interest in our local talent.

The film works it's way through the season showing you 4X and DH action from all of the rounds. Mud, sand and insanely rocky terrain are taken for granted each time a rider kicks out of a gate. This film goes a long way to show you why these riders are the best in the world.

Clay does well to kill the repetative effect by filming from different angles, sections and heights of the courses giving you a great perspective of the length and elevation. Although some of the 4X courses on last season's tour weren't much to talk about, the action Clay captures really shows you the riding techniques of the riders. Watching Kovarik rail through the rocky berms whilst trying to shove Eric Carter and Cedric Gracia is a must watch and a real lesson on how to keep your cool under pressure. The same also goes for the DH action as Clay shows you how these guys corner, drift and jump down the courses with style and speed. For some the racing may become tiring, however if you love racing action it's definately one to throw in your DVD collection.

Clay also shows off his Local boys with a "Norcal Talent" section which shows the young rippers of Northen California on their local jumps and trials. The US young guns Cory Gustafson and Cody Warren also get a section as they rip down EC's trails with style and speed. The ladies are not forgotten in this film with quite a lot of racing action from the Female pro's and a section devoted to US 4X champ Jill Kintner which will make you want to get better very quickly!

Camerawork / Cinematography

Clay knows where to park his ass on a DH and 4X track!

The action is captured from key parts of the DH and 4X tracks, as this is Clay's second production of the US racing season I beleive his knowledge of the locations really helps as the footage shows variety. Mixing slow technical riding with the high speed and jumping side of the racing.

The camera work is crisp and steady and really puts you on the course as if watching with your own eyes. The action is not sped up like in alot of movies so you really know how fast these guys are travelling.

The editing is also spot on with nice quick transfers and action snippets. The footage of rider after rider is put together quite well and as mentioned above Clay does well to elude the infamous "repetative demon."

Soundtrack:

Normal Like You, Say Anything, Steroscopic Vision, Bias, C Money, Antmanbee, Urbanometry, El Don VP

Originality:

Not much to say here really, as the blurb states  " relive the 2003 US downhill and 4x race season... " and hell thats what it does!

Bonus Section:

You have to love DVD's. The Bonus section is another 40mins of action again with a section from the 2002 season from Clay's first production "The Spectacle" There is a Foes promo video, Pro Dirt Jump section and full helmet cam runs of the Pro Downhill courses at Big Bear, West Virginia, Idaho and Durango which are awesome to watch. I particulary enjoyed this bit as it lets you see how different the courses in the US are compared to Australia.

Overall:

The Second Spectacle delivers! There was no big budget or special premier party for this vid there was no Jibbers hucking over highways or crank flips over stair rails, just racing action. If you liked "The Cirus" or "Transcontinetal" you will need to purchase this vid as it's another awesome racing video.

If you want to see what Pro racers do for their $5 meal ticket grab this video. For the Aussies, if you want to see what guys like Kovarik, Atkinson, Hannah, Panozzo,Graves, Hill and Rennie do while they're away from home check this vid out.

Anyone who is also interested in technique or how to ride fast and safe this video really captures the style of the pro's and allows you to attempt to mimic their freak abilities. Note - Do not attempt to mimic Rennies blackflip during a 4X race.

Great value for money and with so much footage the "I want to watch this film again and again" value of this film is high.

9 out of 10

Ordering Information:

The Second Spectacle will be available through our good freinds Black Phoenix Films                                         

For more information about Clay or Distinction Productions visit Distinction Productions Website