Murderball

Murderball is a powerful and entertaining documentary. We follow the USA Quad Rugby Team as they go for gold in the 2002 World Quad Rugby Finals and the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. We also meet Joe Soares a Murderball Legend who is the most successful Murderball player in US history, until he is dropped from the team driving him north to coach Team Canada. These two main story threads draw closer together as the US and Canada near a clash at both championships.

The passion and strength that is demonstrated by these men as they battle not only their disability but the pressure of making the cut, makes for an intense and passionate story. This is a story about the tragedy and disability of a quadriplegics life, at the same time as describing the strength and character of those who live the life. It is not until I come to write this review that I come to think of the individuals in Murderball, as "Quadriplegics" at all.

The strength of the storytelling and the people described in the story are what allow you to see them as individuals living their lives way beyond anything that us â"ableâ" bodied people could hope for. The people described in Murderball are by no means saints but they are certainly an example to us. They demonstrate a rare character in dealing with the mental and physical barriers thrust in their way.

Their stories are brought to the screen through personal insights as well as interviews with family, friends and Muderball team members. The direction is well done and simple with well cut interviews and nicely put together Murderball action.

There are some funky graphics which reveal the MTV production influence. This is an intelligently produced documentary which has been supremely marketed as an entertaining sports story rather than a emotional look at the challenges of disability.

Murderball has been well crafted and the story comes together excellently with music used to gently coax our emotions. It is important and relevant and has obviously been the product of many years hard work. Without doubt a RER Classic.