I think more than a month passed since I watched this documentary. The reason for waiting that much to write this review is because there really isn't much that this documentary covers that isn't already well known about the F1 legend. It is more of a celebration of the man than a characterization.
I am of course not saying that the man doesn't deserve all the praise he gets. He is a 7-time Formula 1 world champion, with 5 consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004. And while his many records are slowly being overtaken by the now maverick Lewis Hamilton there is no doubt he is part of motorsport history--a legend. His success only makes the tragic skiing accident which rendered him in an unfortunate state all the more regretful.
Yet this documentary strays away from focusing on that. Michael is nowhere to be seen except from stock and archive footage. As his wife Corinna states: "Michael protected us so now it's time for us to protect him". This obviously makes absolute sense from a personal point of view, yet the artform suffers. I know I sound cold, but art demands sacrifices and this documentary's linear presentation of his various successes on the track only serves as a reminder to let people know he is still alive and fighting. While this is a noble calling, it serves no insight into the personal life of the man except perhaps telling us that he loved to party and also loves his family.
All of the above are beautiful things and it is nonetheless a real struggle for me to dislike Netflix's work. But this secrecy--which again, makes absolute sense--serves no artistic purpose. This is a slideshow of safe and mostly well known information. But I will say this: if there's anyone who has earned to be immortalized on our screen doors, that person is Michael Schumacher--now if only the cold cinephile in me would like this celebration more.
I am of course not saying that the man doesn't deserve all the praise he gets. He is a 7-time Formula 1 world champion, with 5 consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004. And while his many records are slowly being overtaken by the now maverick Lewis Hamilton there is no doubt he is part of motorsport history--a legend. His success only makes the tragic skiing accident which rendered him in an unfortunate state all the more regretful.
Yet this documentary strays away from focusing on that. Michael is nowhere to be seen except from stock and archive footage. As his wife Corinna states: "Michael protected us so now it's time for us to protect him". This obviously makes absolute sense from a personal point of view, yet the artform suffers. I know I sound cold, but art demands sacrifices and this documentary's linear presentation of his various successes on the track only serves as a reminder to let people know he is still alive and fighting. While this is a noble calling, it serves no insight into the personal life of the man except perhaps telling us that he loved to party and also loves his family.
All of the above are beautiful things and it is nonetheless a real struggle for me to dislike Netflix's work. But this secrecy--which again, makes absolute sense--serves no artistic purpose. This is a slideshow of safe and mostly well known information. But I will say this: if there's anyone who has earned to be immortalized on our screen doors, that person is Michael Schumacher--now if only the cold cinephile in me would like this celebration more.