Icarus

I almost never write reviews for anything, but after seeing this movie and seeing a completely spiteful, misinformed review from another poster I feel obliged to post. This is an incredibly powerful documentary that had me at the edge of my seat for nearly the entire two hours. Honestly have no idea what movie the other poster was watching or if they're simply bitter or don't enjoy the documentary format, but I highly recommend this to anyone in an interest in sport, current world politics (US/Russia), or conspiracy. Both the director Bryan and protagonist Grigory are engaging and entertaining, and the movie will seriously leave you feeling like you just got a backstage pass to a very recent global conspiracy between Russia and the world.

One of the best, if not the best, documentaries that I have ever watched. It is an amazing story about a man who set out to prove one thing and ends up in the middle of one of the most dramatic moments in sports history, complete with shady characters, political giants, and assassinations. This documentary put the documentor in the right place at the right time. Wow, an eleven on a scale of one to ten!

Watched this documentary and got so angry with the 'powers that be' in sports that allowed the crooked Russians to participate in the Olympics despite overwhelming evidence provided by a Russian official who risked his life doing so. Utterly sickening to see the IOC bowing to Russian pressure. I have always loved sports, watching in awe how Armstrong won 7 Tour de France for example. Seeing all these things just makes me sad. But if you want to know how this is done, how they get away with it, watch this. If you want to stay in the bubble, watch something else. I won't blame you.

I wanted to write this review because I don't understand how anyone can claim that this is for a fact propaganda, without providing any proof. Those reviewers say the movie is propaganda because the filmmakers have no proof, yet I would say the movie provided more than they did for their claims.

Anyone can scream propaganda - but I would like to know why. This movie started years ago when Brian didn't even have a clear idea on what his documentary will be about exactly (nor am I sure he was even trying to make a full documentary). It was born out of personal reasons but he came across something he couldn't have imagined. So, he ended up with an incredibly shocking documentary which took years to be made.

Those who say it's propaganda just because it involves the Russians; I couldn't care less if it were Russians, English or Brazilian. What shocked me was the incredible amount of evidence and detail this RUSSIAN man gave to the public about an incredibly elaborate state-wide conspiracy (and he wasn't the only one, nor was he the one who started this whole thing). It is actually quite incredible how they pulled it off.

So, I am more inclined to believe this person who devoted years of his life to expose what was going on and what he himself was also a part of than government officials who say "No, it is not true". If you remember, Lance himself said many times in the beginning that he has never taken drugs. Then, he admitted.

The same thing happens here; someone accuses you of a monstrosity like this one, you are very well going to deny it.

To those whose argument is "well, it's not like the US or China don't have the same doping programme" I say: where is their Grigory? That's the difference.

To me, it is incredible how a nation could have gotten away with this. Well, not really - Putin can get away with anything. Just like the US.

Icarus, much like its mythological namesake, starts out openly enough. Writer/director Bryan Fogel, obviously undergoing a mid-life crisis, seeks to rise above his competition and win an long-eluded amateur bike race by subscribing to a doping program ala Lance Armstrong and Tyler Hamilton. His gonzo-ish film about cheating the system then takes a serious turn as he flies extremely close to the sun by becoming involved with Russian doping superstar, Grigory Rodchenkov, just prior to the 2016 summer Olympics and Russian scandal – the doping scandal that is, taking into consideration another very serious scandal that occurred in the United States later that year in November, an event this film alludes to.

Fogel's film presents a complete analysis of Russia's athletic doping program and its pervasive influence on all of its athletes while providing a revealing look at how the conspiracy came to light leading to the eventual banning of 68 Russian athletes from Rio. The documentary is so compelling you cannot look away.

Rodchenkov, who comes across as a favorite crazy uncle, blasts away on camera with truths and proofs that lead to WADA and the IOC's landmark decision. Rodchenkov equally has no problems with broadcasting his opinions concerning President Vladimir Putin's fear-laden regime. If Putin and the KGB can easily evade the IOC, imagine what other high-level larceny exists that can be used to, ahem, trump other standards.

Icarus presents art dictating life, where one rather flaky story uncovers a very-real conspiracy that affects so many. This is not merely a sports documentary, rather a politically human one with real consequences, and needs to be viewed. Here's hoping the Academy's nomination committee is taking note, as Icarus has the potential to win gold of its own.