Amazon.co.uk:Customer reviews: Generation Iron

Top positive review

Behind the muscles....

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2020

This was the 2md time that I'm watching this.

The personalities behind the characters on stage are quite varied, but this film looks at the darker, brooding side of what goes on off the stage.

Some of the stereotypes of bodybuilders ring true and others are broken.

A good insight into what goes on in the minds of a highly disciplined and competitive sport.

One person found this helpful

Top critical review

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S. Ramsey-Hardy

Less than cheerful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2016

This documentary is a downbeat look at the ruthless world of competitive bodybuilding, and its self-absorbed competitors.

The documentary is well made, but it is hampered by the absence of any character in the story who is light-hearted, let alone funny or out-going. These bodybuilders take themselves very seriously.

This film's most memorable personality is Kai Green, who comes across as sad. He appears to be depressed and solitary, and there is something that strikes you as heart-breaking about his situation.

In comparison with the famous "Pumping Iron" of 30 years ago (which featured a funny and watchable star, Schwarzenegger), "Generation Iron" leaves you feeling generally less cheerful about this tough sport.

5 people found this helpful

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S. Ramsey-Hardy

Less than cheerful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 June 2016

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5 people found this helpful

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Saab Bet

It's compelling towatch - this extreme lifestyle

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 January 2018

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This is a depressing film about solitary, aggressive men leading an agonising life of sacrifice that produces physical freaks with stunted spirits, existing in constant fear of normal life. It's compelling to watch - this extreme lifestyle, its vicious mentality and the bizarre bodies it cultivates equally fascinate and disturb.

The structure of the documentary, comparing the various training approaches and competitive rhetorics of the Mr Olympia candidates by cutting between interviews and exposition on each, is apt as it represents well the isolation, jeopardy and suspicion that dominate those who commit themselves to the sport of bodybuilding. Mickey Rourke's narration is appropriately exhausted and sorrowful. However, the apparent psychological vulnerability of many participants taints this exploration of a dangerous and excrutiating pursuit with an element of exploitation. You feel the wish to carry out an intervention on these guys and gently pursuade them back from the brink, but remain transfixed by the spectacle of their desperation to dominate.

The main failing of Generation Iron is that almost all the individuals featured seem like horrible people and preparation for the competition looks boring, grim and stressful. The coaches, friends and supporters are mostly inarticulate and negative. There's not much here for anyone interested in strength training or fitness - rather than exercise methods, it portrays the torment of the body and the psyche that modern-day bodybuilding demands. Watch it to discover a little-publicised corner of radical body modification and the type of mind that achieves it.

4 people found this helpful

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GOTTON

Fascinating but a little slow

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 July 2015

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Generation Iron was an interesting look at the bodybuilding world. This is a new subject to me and I found myself watching it out of a strange kind of fascination more than anything else, and it certainly kept me interested right until the end.

There's definitely a lot more to bodybuilding than weights, spray tans and steroids; and this documentary does a good job of highlighting that fact. Every subject seems to be touched upon and explained even the ones you would expect are taboo (things like steroids) and the athletes wouldn't want to talk about on camera.

As interesting as it was though, to me it focused far too much on personal drama. Focusing on rivalries I could understand, but there is a bit too much here about people's backgrounds, childhoods and personal history. It's not that this isn't interesting, it's just not why I clicked on the title. I wanted to see how these guys went from average joe blogs to Mr Olympia, their workouts, the business behind it and more info about the sport itself.

Because of this I felt that the whole thing was a bit slow and probably could have done with being cut down by 20-30 mins or so.

However, all that taken into account and what you are left with is an interesting documentary that Mickey Rourke did a good job narrating and that looked great filmed in HD. It's something I can recommend, even if like me this isn't normally the kind of thing you would watch.

5 people found this helpful

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mark marsland

A poor relation to Pumping Iron

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 January 2019

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I guess the real question should be what took so long? This film has none of the originals fun and paints a pretty gloomy portrait of what it takes to be a self absorbed ....self obsessed bodybuilder in the modern era. Mickey Rourke brings some gravel voiced kudos the the commentary and Kia Greene is the only character who seems to have any real depth and personality.There is no real larger than life character taking center stage and there are some hilariously funny moments made more so by the fact there not meant to be funny.
Overall its watchable and the very subjective sport reveals how split peoples opinions can be on who has the perfect physique....Grandma takes a close second to Greene in the character stakes ....as a totally devoted trainer and one woman support team.Did I enjoy it?.....yes....would I watch it again ....no...hence the three star score.

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J.Edwards

arrogant and looked like he was having fun despite training so hard he’d ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2016

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This is a documentary is about bodybuilders in the 21st century. The movie follows several bodybuilders and their desire to be crowned Mr O, whilst covering injuries, dedication, family and briefly touching the taboo subject of steroids.
Looking back at Pumping Iron Arnold came across vibrant, arrogant and looked like he was having fun despite training so hard he’d be sick in the gym then continue to train. Most of the guys in Generation Iron came across depressed, sad and come across as if they wasn’t really enjoying themselves.
I found myself hooked watching the dedication of the guys…they are huge!

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Interesting, but 20mins too long.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 May 2016

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The care the film makers have taken to give insight into the bodybuilding world is remarkable. It's a great introduction for someone who knows little or nothing about it like me. If you watch 'Pumping Iron' first, then this film is even more interesting - seeing the progression of the sport from Arnold's days. There's a lot of posing (outside of competition) and the same story could have been told in 20 mins less time, but it's good nonetheless.

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A. Wills

Nice to see a HD film on the subject at ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 July 2014

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An interesting bodybuilding film. It tries to build animosity between key players Heath - Green but for effect it seems.
There is no particular focus on training - predominantly on the mind games played pre Olympia. Nice to see a HD film on the subject at last, the film is made by Mickey Rourke's voice over.

2 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Would love to have known more about how much they eat

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 December 2015

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Interesting subject but very indulgent film making - would have been much more engaging as a 60 min doc... I started fast forwarding halfway through. Too many characters to really relate to. Would love to have known more about how much they eat, time at gym etc rather than endless moody shots of them looking and sounding wistful. Needed an Arnie in it for more entertainment!

One person found this helpful

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Rusty

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 July 2019

Good

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 February 2016

Verified Purchase

not bad , worth a look

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5 star		72%
4 star		14%
3 star		9%
2 star		4%
1 star		3%

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Generation Iron

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