92% Senna

All Critics (110) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (102) | Rotten (9) | DVD (1)

"Senna" makes a fascinating subject in a pretty entertaining film about a sport that isn't followed that closely by most Americans. But our very ignorance of that subject helps the film and adds to its impact. We don't know this story by heart.

A psychologically intriguing if at times too hagiographic portrait of a man who often held pole position in his profession and felt nearer to God because of it.

There's not an ounce of fat or a wasted shot throughout.

You don't have to know anything about car racing at all. Instead, you simply have to like a great story, one that has all the elements: drama, inspiration, competition, victory, defeat, betrayal and, looming above it all, tragedy.

It's stripped of narration, talking heads, and anything else that might threaten to slow it down.

Even if you can't tell Formula One from Grecian Formula, Senna is pretty exciting stuff.

Though the film seemingly had a good ambassador for the sport, astounding racing footage and was well-presented, the subject matter never fully engaged me.

You don't have to be a Formula 1 nut to enjoy this enthralling documentary ... Asif Kapadia's film Senna is so skillfully put together that its portrayal of a complex, charismatic and fascinating figure will grip even those with no interest in the sport.

"Senna" is a streamlined piece of filmmaking, completely immersing the viewer in Senna's world and never losing momentum as it moves from one breakneck race to another.

It's impossible not to be impressed by how director Asif Kapadia and writer Manish Pandey have managed to craft a biographical film completely out of archive footage.

Uses an astonishing wealth of racing and interview footage - including film shot by in-car cameras during races - to chart in a compelling way the dramatic rise and heart-rending end of the Brazilian legend.

The film is a snapshot in time of an imperfect, interrupted life more than a gateway drug to racing enthusiasm.

There's no doubt Senna was a great driver, but this competently executed highlights reel doesn't tell us much beyond that.

...an entertaining, absorbing and inspiring documentary celebrating a champion's talent.

Ayrton Senna was a phenomenon, and as such, he was filmed, interviewed, and photographed repeatedly throughout his career, images now assembled as the documentary Senna.

Even those with no interest in Formula One - and I count myself amongst such people - will be captivated by this phenomenal motion picture.

"Senna" is simply the greatest sports film I have ever seen.

Kapadia fosters a distinct 'you are there' feeling for the races by composing his visual storytelling entirely of vintage footage, mostly derived from the Formula One archives.

Exhilarating in the extreme.

Undeniably gripping stuff.

I simply didn't care about it, and unless you already know who Senna is and are curious to know more, I doubt if you will, either.

It's hard to see how anyone wouldn't be absorbed by this fascinating film about a formidable driver and man.

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Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/senna/

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