Long Way Down

[Murph]

Went to the theater to see "Long Way Down" last night and thought it was great. Very inspiring!

It will start this saturday (8/1) on Reality Network. See it.

 

[irq77]

I too saw the showing last night in Boulder Colorado. It had me smiling from ear to ear...

 

[Bounce]

I've got the 6 hour series. Based on what people who have it and went to the paired-down theatrical release have told me, get the series and pass on the chopped up theatrical version. They spend a whole hour on all the arrangments and prep before they ever really get started. How can you trim that level of detail without killing its soul?

 

[Murph]

I've got the 6 hour series. Based on what people who have it and went to the paired-down theatrical release have told me, get the series and pass on the chopped up theatrical version. They spend a whole hour on all the arrangments and prep before they ever really get started. How can you trim that level of detail without killing its soul?

Are you confusing "Long Way Round" with the new "Long Way Down"? "Long Way Down" spent little time getting into the trip and was 2 hours of non-stop action.

Sure, the series will probably be longer and somewhat more in-depth, but I would recommend the theatrical release for those who want a shorter, tighter, commercial-free viewing.

Oh yeah, I was also able to get the SO to go to the theater for 2-hours while I know she wouldn't commit to watching the entire series. A "one-stop" viewing is very important for me to gain enthusiasm and support from the SO for my own exotic riding dreams.

 

[Foxhuntr]

We don't get FOX reality. Are they selling a DVD set of the series?

 

[Murph]

We don't get FOX reality. Are they selling a DVD set of the series?

Probably not just yet....I would think a DVD would follow the first TV airing. No doubt a DVD is sure to come.

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

The dvd set is already out. Saw it, it was very good. Went to the premier last night, was a good re-cap of what I had watched with the dvd set without giving everything away. Was a good excuse to shove the kid off on grandma and take the wife out and get her interest re-peaked to try and justify a dual-sport machine to add to the stable!

 

[mdisher]

Saw the Movie/Theatrical version last night too...

Was fairly good for the type of movie it is.

Looking forward to the whole 6 hours series.

Honestly the way the 2 hour theatrical presentation was cut was pretty poor IMHO... It was very choppy.

Still a blast and good time spent.

Edit: Amazon has the DVD already listed, though it's out of stock...

https://www.amazon.com/Long-Way-Down-Comple...2957&sr=8-5

 

[Bounce]

Are you confusing "Long Way Round" with the new "Long Way Down"? "Long Way Down" spent little time getting into the trip and was 2 hours of non-stop action.

nope. LWD is a series too. And yes, it includes all the prep and getting to John O Groats, etc. and LWD was much more than 2 hours long. I'll stick with what I said. I've seen the series of both and can't see how they could chop it (well) to get it to 2 hours.

I was also told that it seemed like the theatrical version picked their sound track based how best to avoid royalty payments. "Choppy" editing is exactly the same comments the other folks made.

My DVD set of the series didn't seem to have any commercials in it. Although it did spend a lot of time whining about the miles, and the weather, and the hassles that those without visas went through when they knew as they left that it would happen. Maybe it was McGregor himself who noted it ought to be called, "Long Whine Down".

IMO Both of the LWx series are good and worth the watch (heck I have them both on DVD). But the ability to capture the spirit of a bike tour is much better executed in the 2 "Feasting on Asphalt" series.

 

[Murph]

Are you confusing "Long Way Round" with the new "Long Way Down"? "Long Way Down" spent little time getting into the trip and was 2 hours of non-stop action.

nope. LWD is a series too. And yes, it includes all the prep and getting to John O Groats, etc. and LWD was much more than 2 hours long. I'll stick with what I said. I've seen the series of both and can't see how they could chop it (well) to get it to 2 hours.

I was also told that it seemed like the theatrical version picked their sound track based how best to avoid royalty payments.

I didn't realize that the series was already out. As for the soundtrack, it's not too bad but I can't disagree with that thought.

 

[Makuna]

Note: Netflix has "Long Way Round" but does not yet list "Long Way Down"

 

[otrfjr]

Note: Netflix has "Long Way Round" but does not yet list "Long Way Down"

Try here: https://www.lwdstore.com/index.php?main_pag...dex&cPath=1

 

[ShawnKing]

get the series and pass on the chopped up theatrical version. How can you trim that level of detail without killing its soul?

Agreed. The movie version, while fun to sit in a theater with a bunch of "biker friends", just felt like a 2 hr trailer for the TV series. It didn't have the narrative flow of Long Way Round and certainly wasn't "non-stop action". There were quite a bit of "stops"...

 

[Murph]

get the series and pass on the chopped up theatrical version. How can you trim that level of detail without killing its soul?

Agreed. The movie version, while fun to sit in a theater with a bunch of "biker friends", just felt like a 2 hr trailer for the TV series. It didn't have the narrative flow of Long Way Round and certainly wasn't "non-stop action". There were quite a bit of "stops"...

Alright, I know that there's "different strokes for different folks" but ... sheesh.... some of you guys are picky. Simply put, I thought it was entertaining and the two hours went by quickly.

 

[brianm767]

I also enjoyed the long Way Down, but like many sequels, it didn't live up to the Long Way Round, but still very enjoyable to watch, I would highly recommend it, I actually liked Charlie Boremans Race to Dakar better, If you haven't seen it, pick it up, you wont regret it.

But my wife now hates them, she liked them the first time we watched them, but now when I watch any of the series, she goes nuts. '' HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU WATCH THOSE!!!"" it's pay back for her watching those stupid Holly Wood shows ever night, I know way too much about Brittany Spears and Lindsey Lohan, I was even able to answer a question some one had the other day about Ryan Phillipe , I looked at my wife and said, I'm a dude, I should not know that!

 

[Bigtime]

How many of you saw the Long Way Round before seeing "Down” and really liked “Down”? The first series was excellent, my wife and I watched it twice and loved every minute of it. We were psyched when they released the new series and I immediately dumped $80 on the DVD set. But we were disappointed in the second DVD set; I felt it was a complete waste of money.

The first movie you really felt that Charlie and Ewan were out on their own even though they had a very well equipped and sophisticated chase team. The crew stayed out of the way most of the time and the two had a great chemistry between them. They got into many interesting situations throughout the trip which really draws you into the series. Its’ a great motorcycling adventures and well worth the time.

Warning, I did not like the second film and the remainder is a critical review and it has a few spoilers:

The long way down was a mad rush from the UK to S.A. and the chase crew was in most scenes. It’s not a motorcycle adventure; it’s just a frustrating race with a shit load of people, SUVs, guides… all trying to meet a deadline.

The chemistry was gone between Charlie and Ewan and you rarely see them out by themselves. Ewan’s whiny side really comes through and he throws a bucket of ice on the adventure when he announces in the beginning that his wife was joining them during part of the trip. It creates instant tension and it hangs over the entire trip. It wouldn’t be so bad if she was an avid motorcyclist, but she’d never ridden a day in here life and she just wanted to tag along with the boys. Every time you see Ewan he’s whining about how much he misses her and he answers his phone with “hello, love of my life…” Once they get together (she flies in for a short leg of the journey) it’s like watching an honeymooners on an adventure - really pitiful…

The few times when there’s real riding, it’s not very interesting. The only suspense is when they get stuck in the mud, but it’s the whole team and they have SUVs with winches to tow everyone out. The second big suspense scene is when they setup camp and find a trail of ants (wtf?). The series repeated shows the team watching gorillas and elephants in the wild. The encounters are staged and it’s about as exciting as watching paint dry. If I wanted to watch people watching animals I’d turn on animal planet.

They take a couple of side trips to see some of Africa’s nightmares, but those trips are by plane and merely included to make them look like caring, politically astute souls. It’s fine that they care about the horrors of the world, but save it for the discovery channel…

 

[leo]

I have both sets of DVDs and books. LWR was a great adventure(IMHO). I liked it enough that my SO bought me LWD book & DVD. I have to agree with Bigtime about LWD content. I get more enjoyment out of reading FJRforum ride reports.

 

[Bounce]

+1 w/Bigtime

You know they already have plans for another LWx. After the results of LWD they either need to step up with a real adventure or simply call it Long Line at the Bank.

 

[ShawnKing]

Alright, I know that there's "different strokes for different folks" but ... sheesh.... some of you guys are picky.

What did you expect from a bunch of guys who choose to ride FJR's?