Bigger, Stronger, Faster*

Infobox Film
name = Bigger, Stronger, Faster*


caption = Theatrical release poster
director = Christopher Bell
producer = Alexander Buono
Jim Czarnecki
Kurt Engfehr
Tamsin Rawady
executive producer = Rob Weiser
Richard Schiffrin
writer = Christopher Bell
Alexander Buono
Tamsin Rawady
starring =
music = Dave Porter
cinematography = Alexander Buono
editing = Brian Singbiel
distributor =
released =
runtime = 105 min
country = United States
language = English
budget =
gross =
website = http://www.biggerstrongerfastermovie.com
amg_id =
imdb_id = 1151309

Bigger, Stronger, Faster* is a 2008 documentary film directed by Christopher Bell about the use of anabolic steroids as performance-enhancing drugs in the United States and how this practice relates to the American Dream.

The film had its world premierecite web|url=http://www.sundance.org/festival/press_industry/releases/pdf/2008_SFF_Announces_Films_In_Competition.pdf |title=2008 Sundance Film Festival Announces Films in Competition |date=2007-11-28|accessdate=2008-01-07|format=PDF] on January 19, 2008 at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. [cite web|url=http://www.sundance.org/festival/film_events/details1.asp?filmid=08F0020 |title="Bigger, Stronger, Faster*" Sundance 2008 profile |accessdate=2008-05-30 |publisher=sundance.org] The film was shown at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2008, and opened in limited release in the United States on May 30, 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1151309/releaseinfo |title=Bigger, Stronger, Faster* (2008) - Release dates |accessdate=2008-05-30 |publisher=Internet Movie Database]

Title

The * in the title refers to how athletes who are implicated in using performance-enhancing drugs have their records postfixed by an asterisk (*).Fact|date=September 2008

ynopsis

The documentary examines the steroid use of the director Christopher Bell and his two brothers who all grew up idolizing Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hulk Hogan, and Sylvester Stallone, and also features professional athletes, medical experts, fitness center members, and US Congressman talking about the issue of anabolic steroids.

Beyond the basic issue of anabolic steroid use, Bigger, Stronger, Faster*examines the lack of consistency in how America views drugs, cheating, and the lengths people go to achieve success.

This includes looking beyond the steroid issue to such topics as Tiger Woods laser eye correction to 20/15 vision, professional musicians use of anxiety reducing drugs, or athletes' dependence on cortisone shots, which are a legal steroid.

The film also takes a skeptical examination on claims to the health risks of steroids and is highly critical of the legal health supplement industry.

Critical reception

The film received highly positive reviews from critics. As of July 20, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 97% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 65 reviews (63/65 Fresh.) [cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bigger_stronger_faster_asterik/ |title=Bigger, Stronger, Faster* Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes |accessdate=2008-06-02 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 80 out of 100, based on 17 reviews.cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/biggerstrongerfaster |title=Bigger, Stronger, Faster* (2008): Reviews |accessdate=2008-06-02 |publisher=Metacritic]

DVD Release

The DVD version of the film was released on September 30th, 2008.

References

External links

* [http://www.biggerstrongerfastermovie.com Official website]
*imdb title|id=1151309|title=Bigger, Stronger, Faster*
*rotten-tomatoes|id=bigger_stronger_faster_asterik|title=Bigger, Stronger, Faster*
*metacritic film|id=biggerstrongerfaster|title=Bigger, Stronger, Faster*
*mojo title|id=biggerstrongerfaster|title=Bigger, Stronger, Faster*
*amg movie|id=1:426671|title=Bigger, Stronger, Faster*
* [http://www.sundance.org/festival/film_events/details1.asp?filmid=08F0020 "Bigger, Stronger, Faster*"] at sundance.org
* [http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117935844.html?categoryid=31&cs=1 Review] in "Variety"
* [http://thinktalk.com/show/christopher_bell Interview with director Chris Bell] on ThinkTalk