“US AND THEM” REVIEW
Posted by Mark on 24.01.2008, 04:32
Prior to the e-mail dropping into my Inbox a few days ago, I hadn’t heard of Us And Them. I don’t really get how that’s possible, because with a video this good, people really should be shouting from the rooftops about it - which is what I intend to do here.
Ever since T1’s You Get What You Get vid came out, it seems there’s been a divide amongst BMXers - those who ‘get’ the more arty vids out there that are there to show the world BMX can expose you to, and those who don’t. For those who don’t: shame. For those who do: buy Us And Them.
From the packaging (super nice graphics, A2 poster, really nicely finished disc) to the unconventional Menu screen (Feat. Now, Explore and Other/), it’s clear that the aesthetics of this DVD were very important. When you fire up the video and the intro begins, from the interesting range of unusual footage, ‘artier’ shots and just interesting stuff that Rich Wilson and his friends have captured for us all to see. The intro is split into a couple of parts, and gives a really interesting feel to the video. It’s all pretty relaxed, and for the more impatient it may seem like too much ‘random’ footage, but for me it was just right. By the time Ed and Pete’s (Yes, Ed Tongue of 90’s trials riding fame) section comes round, your appetite should have been well and truly whetted.
Featuring a mixture of riders from varying scenes around Liverpool and the world (See: Javier Ortega, who’s burly style doesn’t really seem to fit in too well with the rest of the riding in the video, but is cool to see none the less), the riding keeps you entertained throughout. Unlike a lot of videos from further North in the UK, this video isn’t preoccupied with making sure all the riders come across as 100% street, or trying to conform to the correct BMX look. There’s a healthy mix of park (Producer Rich Wilson’s flowy lines being a particular treat) and street (Josh Kinsley, and that 7/4 set), with plenty of bangers to keep you interested. There are some truly amazing lines that get thrown down for the vid, and it’s interesting to see them coming from some more unfamiliar faces to the majority of people. I would again like to take this opportunity to point out just how much of a machine Mr. Kinsley really is. Although all the sections in this video are of a really high standard of riding, the ridiculous whips and manual lines in his section are amazing.
Having had a healthy slew of riding, the video again pauses for some more ‘random’ footage, this being the Muscle Beach section. It seems strange this made the cut into the main video, not just featuring in the Other/ section, but as Rich explains in the blurb for the video, this video is documenting everything that comes along with the BMXing life, not just the riding, so this kinda footage makes the grade. Some may disagree, but again, I found it worked fine in the video.
Javier Ortega takes the last major section of the video, with a cool Malaga trip section ending the main portion of the video prior to the Credits.
Following the credits is the Who Is section, a nice little montage of riding and miscellaneous footage. This sections helps tip the video past the 40 minute mark, which, compared to the relatively short 15-20minute long edits that a lot of companies have been producing recently, is a nice change. Bearing in mind the price of the video, you’re getting a lot of quality footage and editing for your money, which is always good to see.
Lastly, we have the Other/ (a.k.a. the Bonus section) section. Containing another 4 part riding section, interspersed with some brutal crashes from Rich, Fez and Josh, and then a mix of random incidents along the way, the weirdest of which being Kids fight club. Bizarre.
The key thing to notice from this video though is how high the editing and production quality is throughout. Everything feels like it’s there for a reason, and the ratio of high quality riding footage to misc. footage is pretty much spot-on. The nice selection of music (more mellower stuff than a lot of other videos around) helps give a chilled and relaxed vibe, and that combined with the sweet looking spots, interesting lines and general mess-around feel of the video really make you want to grab your bike and go for a ride. It’s certainly given me a few ideas for tricks I want to try - always the sign of a good video.
I’ve reviewed quite a few videos for S43, and whilst I haven’t really seen a bad one, very few have been this good, which is why you’ll hopefully be seeing a few copies of the video up for sale on the site very soon. If you’re interested in a copy, e-mail mark (at) style43.com for more information. With an R.R.P. of £8 (Not incl. postage), you’re getting a lot of video for your money, and I’d seriously suggest getting yourself a copy. I really can’t wait to see the next installment.