JIM reviews film “X GAMES 3D” -- Adrenalin Junkies on Parade = [ In theaters for 1 WEEK starting 8-21-09 ]

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“X GAMES 3D” — Adrenalin Junkies on Parade = [ In theaters for 1 WEEK starting 8-21-09 ]

Rating: 8 of 10 stars.

In 2006, I shot digital video of bikers riding down a long ramp & doing flip stunts in the air as they jumped over a canal in Amsterdam. I was reminded of that in seeing this limited-release film by ESPN which highlights that & other competitions at the 2008 summer X-Games XIV in Los Angeles. With documentary footage including some interviews, it shows how various athletes trained for the games & the actual competition in bikes, Moto-X, cars, skateboards & even a bit of the winter version with SHAUN WHITE on a snowboard. The guys (especially TRAVIS PASTRANA who’s in the Rally X car race) readily admit that it’s all about the ADRENALIN rush they get from what they do, as they eagerly push the “envelope” to see what humans can accomplish. As one says, you never want to come in “2nd”.

They go thru grueling practices & frequent injuries trying to expand what can be done in their sports. You can see KYLE LOZA perform the never-before-done “Electric Doom” Moto-X stunt, which he said he needed to do to get money to help keep his home. The end highlights an incredible long-ramp Big Air jumping competition between world-class skateboarders BOB BURNQUIST, JAKE BROWN & DANNY WAY (all of whom deeply like & respect each other) & how they keep outdoing each other as they fight thru pains and (in the case of Way) broken bones to try to win.

Altho the 3-D was fairly “mild” & could’ve been used more effectively, it adds to the enjoyment of the fascinating & well-filmed footage. For some unknown reason, Disney is planning to release this for just 1 WEEK in theaters, so, if you’re interested, don’t procrastinate!