Have you ever dreamed of experiencing Michael Bay’s signature intense action scenes without the bothersome characters and storylines? Your wish has come true with his latest documentary, featuring a team of seven parkour athletes who have garnered millions of subscribers and billions of views on YouTube since they began filming their death-defying stunts about 15 years ago.
The action-packed group known as Storror, made up of brothers Max Cave and Ben Cave, Callum Powell and Sacha Powell, Josh Burnett-Blake, Drew Taylor, and Toby Seglar, have appeared on the big screen before in films like Bay’s Six Underground. However, their own film, titled We Are Storror, which is premiering at SXSW for the first time, places them front and center in a movie that will leave you gripping areas of your body you didn’t realize were capable of tension.
In the movie, none of the stunts depicted were enhanced by tricks like photography manipulation, visual effects, digital backdrops, concealed cables or secret stages. The film sensibly starts with a cautionary message: “Please don’t try to replicate what you see on screen.
As per Merriam-Webster Dictionary, parkour is a physical activity that involves swiftly and effectively navigating environmental obstacles through running, climbing, or jumping. This activity often takes place in urban areas, though not exclusively so. The documentary does not delve into the details of the sport or its origins, seemingly expecting viewers to already be familiar with it. And indeed, we witness this sport in action.
One team member queries, probably rhetorically, ‘Is it really worth putting your life on the line for just a brief moment of airtime?’ Money doesn’t seem to be the motivation here, but Storror, who excel in both marketing and performing death-defying stunts, often without clothes, clearly have discovered a profitable way to turn their passion into income (take a look at their website).
The documentary’s action scenes show an abundant amount of adrenaline and excitement. However, it also contains graphic scenes where accidents happen, leading to severe injuries such as multiple broken bones. The film feels similar to the opening montage of “Wide World of Sports” with its contrast of victory and defeat, but it presents footage that was never aired on television.
The team’s thrilling journeys take them to perilous destinations like Portugal, where they scout potential locations for their stunts; India, where they encounter rival acrobatic monkeys; Bulgaria, where they maneuver through an incomplete, deserted apartment building complex; and Hong Kong, predictably, where they tangle with local law enforcement.
The photos, utilizing color, black and white, and slow motion, are consistently awe-inspiring. From the drones capturing perfectly timed movements from great heights to the GoPro cameras, which are frequently worn by team members, they offer an all-encompassing immersion into the experiences.
Old family videos show the team members had been doing similar dangerous feats as children, possibly unaware these actions had a specific title. They’ve described their upbringing as somewhat wild, but it’s evident they’ve become highly skilled in their line of work. We see them meticulously preparing for their stunts, not just rehearsing moves, but also removing hazards like nails and smoothing surfaces to prevent unexpected accidents.
They’re equally cognizant that time is swiftly passing and they have limited time to continue their activities. One of them remarks, “Our bodies will eventually fail us,” which is something we’ll need to accept. Burnett-Blake acknowledges being the most cautious members of the group, expressing waning enthusiasm for risky moves. “It has an expiration date,” he notes.
Bay tries to elevate the aerial acrobatics by integrating personal anecdotes, though this approach sometimes falls short. For example, a segment where one participant discusses the breakdown of a long-distance romance with an American woman seems more like additional content rather than contributing significantly to the overall performance.
However, there’s no arguing about the jaw-dropping acrobatics shown by these seven men who seem to disregard gravity and all chances. They leap from one roof to another, navigating their way around and above any obstacles, all while “Up on the Roof” plays in the background. What stands out isn’t just their remarkable agility but also their palpable camaraderie, which feels genuine and heartwarming.
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2025-03-09 01:54