Pedal the World

What a frustrating documentary. I've just sat through almost 90 minutes in the company of Felix. In the UK there was an old advertisement for cat food (Felix) and its strapline was "Cat's like Felix, like Felix". How apt. The documentary had no interest in the beautiful landscapes. It had no interest in culture. It had no interest in people. It's sole interest was Felix. No wonder all his friends (even his father) accompanying on his journey left him to it. I certainly couldn't wait to get away from his company - although I strangely avoided the stop button on my remote control.

When taking panoramic shots of the beautiful landscapes, why did he insist on the camera being in selfie mode? We know what you look like. Some might say you're good looking. But you're an insufferable narcissist. Oh god, and did he like to moan. Get over yourself and your privilege.

I think what sums up his character most of all is when he loses his grandpa. Moral dilemma. Does he go home for the funeral? Or does he carry on the adventure with his new found friend? Neither - he contacts a female friend from home and sods off on holiday to a nearby paradise, simultaneously dumping both his travel companion and his grandad in the process. And he had editing privileges, so goodness knows what he left out!

Had this impressive feat been undertaken by someone with a modicum of humility, it would've been so much better. But instead it let me feeling utterly annoyed (much like Felix most of the time). 3 out of ten.

Title of the movie suggests that viewers will see both pedaling and world, but director is mostly filming his face and talking about himself. It's presumable that viewers want to learn something while watching this kind of film but unfortunately ther is nothing to learn. It is even considered as inspiring documentary according to Netflix, but it isn't. If you want to watch this film as part of your pedaling preparation, don't be surprised if you don't find it useful. Also titles are out of order sometimes, resolution is bad from time to time, and music has nothing to do with the topic. This is more of a private video-diary than "inspiring documentary". That's why 4 out of 10.

If he's looking for meaning, he needs to stop looking at himself. I love cycling and I love travel stories, but this is the most self-indulgent thing you could ever imagine. Technically it's very good for an amateur film-maker, but I can't believe that anyone could watch all of it. I fast-forwarded through it and it seemed that every time a stopped he was filming himself in a 360 degree shot with his face taking up about 90 percent of the shot.

If he would have taken about half as much crap he wouldn't have spent the entire trip complaining and basically being miserable. He even shows a part where another pair of cyclist on a trip shake their heads at the weight he is hauling. His bike looks like he's moving from one side of the world to the other and taking literally all of his possessions. He leaves towing a trailer, but then in the very first shot of him cycling it's gone.

And does he ever complain a lot. He complains about leaving. He complains about the first few kilometers, and then about everything the entire trip.

Love the idea of cycling the world but this is a hard to watch documentary. Bad editing, no creativity in story or how to film places or people and no depth. Lacking in depth is the biggest failure. Immense respect for the fact that he did what he did, that's why i give it a 4. But i suggest he take a course on editing and i hope he has more depth then he shows in de documentary.

This could have been one of the most interesting documentaries, I am no expert cyclist, but I was excited to see a great story of self discovery and great landscapes...except that didn't happen at all, there were parts that were so boring, the landscapes were of him making senseless twirls and him being sorry for himself, don't waste your time on this...