SYNOPSIS:
From the gyms of middle America to the Olympic arena in Athens,
Greece, MURDERBALL tells the story of a group of world-class
athletes unlike any ever shown on screen. In addition to smashing
chairs, it will smash every stereotype you ever had about
gimps and cripples. It is a film about family, revenge, honor,
sex (yes, they can) and the triumph of love over loss. But
most of all, it is a film about standing up, even after your
spirit and your spine has been crushed.
MOVIE
REVIEW
When
encountering folks on wheelchair, many if not all often feel
a need to be extra careful or delicate with them. We often
stereotype them as fragile creatures that are can’t
withstand any hard knocks both physically or mentally. Murderball,
the documentary that chronicles the journey of the Olympic
USA Quadriplegic rugby team players during the year of 2004
will smash all our stereotypes we have on the quadriplegics.
The quadriplegic rugby players come from all walks of lives
and each has his tale of tragedy that confined them to a wheelchair
bound life. Their spinal cords might have been crushed but
definitely not their spirits and wills to live as they pursue
the Paralympics dream.
Although
this documentary touches on a number of Team USA quad rugby
players, the focus here often zooms in on the lives of two
players, Mark Zupan and Joe S. Zupan. Mark is the golden boy
with his distinctive goat-tee and tattoo representing the
US team and he is the poster boy for this documentary. His
menacing appearance and attitude makes him a fearsome player
on first impression. But as this documentary digs deeper into
his personal life, viewers will discover the charismatic aura
that makes him stand out among the rest and an ideal spokesperson
and leader for this rough sport.
Joe on
the other hand, faces a different sort of limelight: a sort
of betrayer light. Once a star player on the US team, he was
cut from the selection when he grew older and no longer has
what it takes to make the team. In a fit of anger, he leans
over to the arch rival, Team Canada, and takes up the coaching
duties there. His enthusiasm for the game also causes a riff
in his family, especially with his kid. It’s easy to
paint Joe as a traitor or even a self centered person but
this documentary brings out a multilayer look into Joe’s
passion for this game and love for his family which is actually
quite touching.
The heated
rivalry between these two men and their teams were shown as
they crash a few times before the Paralympics. The US team
has been the undefeated champion for a long time and everyone
wants to a piece of them. The beauty of this documentary lies
in its structure: it will make the viewers root for the underdogs,
Team Canada, but having grown accustomed to the ever-winning
Team America, viewers will find it hard to see them lose to
the underdogs.
A
friend once asked me what my passion in life. It is a question
that I found several difficulties in answering. Even though
I have a few serious hobbies (movies included), I don’t
really have a cause that I am committed wholeheartedly. The
power of passion can literally move mountains and in Murderball,
I witnessed the passion in people who are less physically
fortunate than me. I envy the level of passion these quadriplegic
rugby players put into their game. It is rather difficult
not to be inspired and emotionally involved as you follow
their journey for their goal in life.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
This Documentary is presented in 16 X 9 Letterbox format and
only in Dolby Digital 2.0.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Quite
a pity as compared to the Code one version, this disc contains
zilch extra features not even a trailer.
MOVIE
RATING:
 
OVERALL
DVD RATING :
Review
by Richard Lim Jr
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