Top Gear at the Movies

The incorrigible petrolheads from Top Gear are back, this time with an enjoyable (if fairly cursory) celebration of the motor vehicle’s inestimable role in cinematic history. 

There are, of course, plenty of movie-themed races, advice on how to build a Bond car on a budget, and a lengthy section paying tribute to the unsung vehicular heroes of cinema.  The lads (in this case Richard Hammond and James May; Clarkson sits this one out) also discuss the big questions such as which cars have the best engine sound, the most film presence, and, importantly, which is the best car for getting away from bad guys.   

It’s fun enough, though the jokes are paltry and much of the repartee feels phoned-in, especially that of the slug-like May, who spends most of the DVD slumped on a sofa like a wino nursing a particularly bad hangover.  For a special celebrating the role of the car in cinema history there is a notable absence of film footage; the classic chase scene in The French Connection is discussed, but for ‘financial reasons’ no shots from the film itself are shown.  Likewise the Steve McQueen film Bullitt is deemed to merit discussion, though in lieu of any actual footage of the film, excised this time for ‘commercial reasons,’ we are instead treated to a sequence in which Hammond and his lethargic chum simply watch sections of the films themselves.  Hoo-ray.  It probably doesn’t need to be pointed out that shots of the rear of a television hardly make for the most riveting viewing experience; more to the point the juggernaut that is Top Gear is watched by over 350 million people worldwide each week, making the producers’ refusal to part with any but the bare minimum of coin singularly inexcusable. 

At the Movies has its moments, but its shortish running time, lack of worthwhile bonus fare, singular dearth of film footage (it’s called At the Movies, for fuck’s sake) and largely uninspired presentation do bring to mind a certain expression regarding laurels and the resting thereon. 

Audio & Video

Sorry to sound like whiny git, but At the Movies isn’t exactly a revelation in terms of sound and picture quality either.  The 16:9 transfer is slightly grainy and, like the weather in which it was filmed, somewhat grey and dour throughout.  The 5.1 surround soundtrack is also curiously flat, with a distinct lack of bottom end on the numerous engine roars throughout and with even the dialogue lacking pristine clarity. 

Special Features

A 3-minute Mad Max themed Deleted Scene.