Bigger Stronger Faster*

Wow. It's been easily 10 years since watching this. Man have I grow up. But the re-watch of this is somewhat laughable. I used to think steroids were bad and horrible and worse than actual meth or H. But it ain't folks. Far from it. It's interesting now that I've grown up and learned so much how seeing the story about the kid who killed himself was NOT a result of steroids. It was the anti depressants. I suppose back when this was made that was not know as much. But now it's common knowledge. Especially in that age. Seeing the dad be a buffoon and blame juice is laughable while living in his mansion with a $3000 plus dog.

Are steroids bad? No, especially not if taken right. Do they give you an edge? Yep. They sure can. Does everyone who take gas get Arnold like? Hell no. It takes work and dedication. Not to mention a clean diet. When this was made the stereotype was everyone who takes juice gets huge. Even sitting on the couch. The realization is nope. It takes a stupid amount of work, diet, and TIME in the gym.

The best part of this was the showing of how magazines and supps are manipulated.

That still goes ok today. Cost $5 to make a pre-workout. Sells for $20. Hilarious right?

A side note. Taking vitamins are good for you. With a well balanced diet and exercise, it will help you. Are the overpriced? Sure. But they do help you.

If nothing else, this documentary (that took a very level-headed approach to weighing the pros & cons of steroid use amongst athletes/bodybuilders) was certainly well-worth a view just to get an eye-popping look at Greg Valentino's ridiculously over-developed biceps, as well as seeing a heavily muscled Belgian Blue bull (sans steroids) up close.

But besides these 2 very freakish curiosities, this fairly satisfied viewer was also very pleasantly surprised by how well-researched and competently presented Bigger Stronger Faster* was. I certainly wasn't expecting to be this impressed with this documentary.

Very professionally directed by Chris Bell (whose 2 older brothers were both avid steroid users), I found this entertaining documentary to be quite fair-minded about its research regarding the positive benefits of taking steroids as opposed to their negative side-effects, which showed clear links to cancer, heart attacks and erratic behaviour (roid rage).

Through interviews with medical experts, sports figures, etc., etc., Chris Bell's documentary repeatedly brought into question the use of steroids amongst high-profile athletes. And, as a result of this, brought some of America's biggest heroes in the arena of sports (who are praised to the heavens) down a few significant notches from their lofty positions on their pedestals.

As an ex-amateur wrestler, I have seen a lot of this stuff first hand. But until now the use of steroids or performance enhancing drugs was very hush hush. This movie is very true to life and reveals the truth behind this mystery.

Steroids are not limited to sports pros or Olympic athletes, these drugs are everywhere. People you would never suspect are using them, your neighbor, your teacher, possibly even members of your own family.

It is about time someone has lifted the veil off of this issue, and this movie did a realistic and honest job of doing just that. Thank you to the brave participants.

This doc outlines the current situation regarding the use of steroids as performance enhancers, bodybuilding drugs and in conventional medicine. The film does a pretty good job of outlining the facts and the pseudo-science behind some claims as well as letting us hear peoples views on steroids, where they are actually being used and to what effect.

Where this film becomes unique and interesting is in the story of our narrator and filmmaker Mike Bell. Mike is one of 3 brothers who all grew up watching pro wrestling and 80's action movies. Into their teens they became football players, then wrestlers and eventually competitive power lifters. Today, his 2 brothers use steroids to enhance their performance whereas Mike is totally anti steroids.

The agenda of the film is clearly setup as a predictable anti steroids expo but as the debate opens up the film progresses into something different and much more interesting. At times evidence is in defence of steroids and though I wouldn't go as far as to say it is a pro steroids film, it's certainly open-ended. The film itself is presented and produced really quite well. We even touch on some wider issues of genetic modification in livestock, which somehow comes out in defence of steroids as they are quite simply not to blame for these monstrous beef hulks.

Without conclusion, the film gives us a well-rounded outline of the debate as well as introducing us to some tragic and not so tragic characters along the way.

This film succeeds in entertaining and provoking debate and is really well paced. The mix of factual investigation and personal stories and interviews strikes a balance rare in documentary and quite satisfying to watch. Worth a look.

My background is such that I've met some of the people in this film, and have substantial experience with the world of bodybuilding. My academic background is in the sciences, and this is a topic I have researched to death.

This film takes an honest view at steroids, and more importantly at the attitudes that push people towards altering "what god gave them". If anything it should make people realize the problem isn't a single class of drugs that has been sensationalized, but a growing problem of body dimorphism. It is self worth, and self-esteem in a bottle. And there is nothing "biased towards steroids" about that message. If anything it is simply one of several performance enhancement methods he demonstrates.

I know to many the movie seems biased. But to anyone who has done the research, it isn't so much this movie is biased as the media depiction of these drugs is as ridiculous as the media's depiction of marijuana in "Reefer Madness". People are so bombarded with misinformation about drugs in general in America, that when they are shown something honest, it rocks their point of reference and they feel it is biased.

What this documentary is, is eye opening, honest, and very complete in it's presentation. More so then any other documentary I've seen on the topic.