Fresh Powder
Impact (2004): 8 out of 10: Director Max Bervy follows skiers and snowboarders, including veteran Glen Plake, to remote mountain slopes where fresh powder is plentiful and common sense appears to be optional. Spectacular descents, cliff jumps, and the occasional avalanche alternate with relaxed mountainside interviews, as athletes explain the joys of doing things most of us would hesitate to attempt with comprehensive medical coverage.
Accompanied by an excellent soundtrack, the documentary presents skiing as an unexpectedly mellow pursuit of freedom, beautiful scenery, and the perfect run. Apparently, achieving inner peace sometimes requires a helicopter and jumping off something.
The Good
The Good: Great soundtrack… no superb soundtrack… nice commentary and excellent footage. Impact has a wonderful way of mixing high adrenaline footage for a few minutes than an interview with a snowboarder going all Bob Ross while sitting on the mountain. Great mellow vibe to the whole proceedings. Impact is a really enjoyable show overall.
Honestly, it is hard to put my finger on what makes Impact greater than the sum of its parts. The whole mood of the piece seems to transport the viewer to a happier place where there are no worries, just fresh powder and a new sunrise. And I watched this sober. Truly a Zen experience.
The Bad
The Bad: Impact is from 2004 (which probably helps the soundtrack) but means it is in a 3:4 aspect ratio and standard definition. I have been so spoiled by modern widescreen 4k documentaries that as spectacular as some of the footage is it feels a little like it was filmed on a potato.
The Ugly
The Ugly: Alert Rock Hudson and Mia Farrow because we have a lot of avalanches being caused by such antics. While no snowboarder was killed while filming this, the filmmakers really don’t take into account either the possible environmental damage caused by triggering so many avalanches nor the possible negative effects to people living miles down mountain if you accidently trigger a big one. Avalanches and skiing through them is visually stunning but seems careless on many levels.
Let me also put on my hypocrite hat for a minute. I have never worn a helmet skiing, so far be it from me to criticize others for the same. But then again I am going down glorified bunny slopes on Mount Snow, not being helicoptered to the top of a cliff.
In Conclusion
In conclusion: Surprisingly mellow and pleasant watch for such an adrenaline filled sport. Impact really captures what we all imagine is the skiing experience. (As opposed to waiting a half an hour in lift lines in your cheap rental skis. Then going down the slope while eight-year-old kamikazes barrel past you)