Bigger Stronger Faster*

Name: Bigger Stronger Faster*
Genre: Sport, Documentary
Released: May 30, 2008
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Chris Bell, Mark Bell, Mike Bell

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Ratings

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Bigger, Stronger, Faster

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Movie Details & Credits

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: May 30, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: Chris Bell, Mark Bell, Mike Bell

Summary: In America, we define ourselves in the superlative: we are the biggest, strongest, fastest country in the world. We reward speed, size and above all else: winning – at sport, at business and at war. Metaphorically we are a nation on steroids. Is it any wonder that so many of our heroes are on performance enhancing drugs? Blending comedyIn America, we define ourselves in the superlative: we are the biggest, strongest, fastest country in the world. We reward speed, size and above all else: winning – at sport, at business and at war. Metaphorically we are a nation on steroids. Is it any wonder that so many of our heroes are on performance enhancing drugs? Blending comedy and pathos, Bigger, Stronger, Faster* is a collision of pop culture and first-person narrative, with a diverse cast including US Congressmen, professional athletes, medical experts and everyday gym rats. At its heart, this is the story of director Christopher Bell and his two brothers, who grew up idolizing muscular giants like Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and who went on to become members of the steroid-subculture in an effort to realize their American dream. When you discover that your heroes have all broken the rules, do you follow the rules, or do you follow your heroes? (Magnolia)… Expand

Director: Chris Bell

Genre(s): Sport, Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 105 min

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Awards & Rankings

36	#36 Best Movie of 2008

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman

Bigger, Stronger, Faster is a portrait of a culture that claims to hate steroids but may, by now, be too pumped to do much about it. Read full review

Peter Debruge

More scrupulously reported than your average Michael Moore film but every bit as entertaining, Bigger, Stronger, Faster* is as commercial as documentaries come. Read full review

Teddy Greenstein

Bell confronts Smelly, labeling him a cheater. But he also sympathizes with him, explaining, "There is a clash in America between doing the right thing and being the best." Read full review

David Ansen

Perfectly reflects the range of this funny, disturbing and complex tale. Read full review

Stephen Holden

Bigger, Stronger, Faster* left me convinced that the steroid scandals will abate as the drugs are reluctantly accepted as inevitable products of a continuing revolution in biotechnology. Replaceable body parts, plastic surgery, anti-depressants, Viagra and steroids are just a few of the technological advancements in a never-ending drive to make the species superhuman. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

While Bell makes the point that pros account for about 85 percent of total usage, he is more interested in why others - including a guy with the world's biggest biceps, who admits they repulse women - are so driven to be Bigger, Stronger, Faster*. Read full review

William Arnold

It's an interesting and eye-opening journey. Read full review

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User Reviews

kelam

Aug 1, 2008

This is the best documentary I have ever seen;far better than those dumbed down and biased movies of that judgmental prick Michael Moore

1 of 1 users found this helpful

QuietGiant

Sep 29, 2016

This could have easily been a much simpler, dryer film. Instead of being a bland recital of the same information you can get a thousand other places or propaganda pushing either the pros or cons of steroids, BSF relates the issue to American culture itself, illuminating the contradictionsThis could have easily been a much simpler, dryer film. Instead of being a bland recital of the same information you can get a thousand other places or propaganda pushing either the pros or cons of steroids, BSF relates the issue to American culture itself, illuminating the contradictions between the exaltation we give our greatest performers and the ridicule for the measures it takes to be such in the modern world. Its comparisons to legal performance enhancing drugs, more dangerous nonenhancing legal drugs, the supplement industry as a whole, and 'reefer madness' fearmongering can be both enlightening and desensationalizing. This is not an endorsement of steroid use but an analysis of its motivations and critique of those on both sides of the fence that happens to demystify many popular (often negative) assumptions.

All of that wouldn't amount to as much if it wasn't just so damn entertaining to boot. Right from the start it hooks you with its charismatic narration and choice footage and then keeps drawing you in with insightful interviews and the personal tale of the film's central family. It's one of the best documentaries I've seen; the kind where you wonder how you hadn't watched it sooner. Just try to leave prior bias at the door.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

arbie

Sep 1, 2008

Really, really fantastic. A wonderfully produced film that shows great balance -- I enjoyed this almost more for its quality and approach to the material than the material itself. The subjects are utterly human. It's easy to really want them to succeed as a result of this film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

BDaddy

Oct 5, 2008

Documentary movies are usually boring, but this is informative and asks intelligent questions. I especially liked the interview of Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson -- 100m nemesis both caught using steroids. This will challenge your opinion as to why steroids are illegal -- it did mine.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

tonydjr

Nov 19, 2008

Great movie! About family, choices, the grayness of heroes, and the conflict between the regulation and usage of steroids for athletes, regular joes, and the ill, who need it the most. Makes you wonder about atheletes, their choices, how others perceive them, and what you would do given Great movie! About family, choices, the grayness of heroes, and the conflict between the regulation and usage of steroids for athletes, regular joes, and the ill, who need it the most. Makes you wonder about atheletes, their choices, how others perceive them, and what you would do given their situation.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JayH

Sep 27, 2008

Very well researched and informative, it has a good balance on view points. Decent narration. I was always interested in the film, but it does get a bit repetitive. Still fascinating and it certainly makes you think.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JonH

Nov 7, 2008

Some fat lazy deluded bible-bashing drug-taking family presenting their uninformed opinions on the silver screen as if they were scientific fact.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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