The most awaited MTB film released every year is the sequel to Alex Rankin's "Earthed" series. "The Law of Fives" is, you guessed it, the 5th installment in the series and it doesn't disappoint.
The Law of Fives features every Downhill World Cup from 2007 and includes some of the most pivotal moments of the 2007 race season. Sam Hill's epic run in Champery, the drama in Fort William and the massive crowds in Maribor.
Race segments include the Vigo World Cup, Champery as mentioned, Ste Anne , Worlds, Schladming and Maribor. The bonus section is packed full of World Cup goodness as well, with out takes and un-seen footage. Rankin does an especially good job of showing many of the top riders in the technical sections, and then showing Sam Hill destroy the same section. Being able to compare the World Champ to everyone else is jaw dropping at times. Watching him take completely opposite lines to everyone else and the float through sections is ridiculous. Being witness to Hill sliding his way down Champery as if it was dry is a sight to behold.
The freeride segments are also good, and showcase the skills of many of the sports young guns including Ruriadh Cunningham and Josh Bryceland. The Atherton section is especially good as the threesome of Commencal riders tear up the woods in North Wales.
Some may not like the music included, but personally I thought it was a nice change from the usual speed metal or gangster rap of the latest MTB flicks. I didn't need to kill the volume as I watched, I actually quite enjoyed it.
If you only watch one video this year, do yourself a favour and make sure it is Earth 5. There may not be an earthed 6 with Rankin moving back to shooting moto videos, so this may be your last chance to catch some of the best in action through his lens.
Available in NTSC from VAS Entertainment at : http://www.videoactionsports.com/
Great film. I seen it a couple of days ago. Go Sam!