Bigger Stronger Faster*
Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: May 30, 2008 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
80
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews
Positive:
20
Mixed:
0
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
91
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Bigger, Stronger, Faster is a portrait of a culture that claims to hate steroids but may, by now, be too pumped to do much about it. Read full review
90
Film ThreatDon R. Lewis
Bell's documentary is an absolute must see for anyone taking part in any kind of debate about steroids. Read full review
90
VarietyPeter Debruge
More scrupulously reported than your average Michael Moore film but every bit as entertaining, Bigger, Stronger, Faster* is as commercial as documentaries come. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesCarina Chocano
Raucously funny and surprisingly insightful. Read full review
88
Chicago TribuneTeddy Greenstein
Bell confronts Smelly, labeling him a cheater. But he also sympathizes with him, explaining, "There is a clash in America between doing the right thing and being the best." Read full review
88
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
This movie is remarkable in that it seems to be interested only in facts. Read full review
83
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
Attempts to look beyond the hysteria and consider exactly how and why a culture that values physical power has internalized the idea that steroid use in sports is a scourge. Read full review
83
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
Entertaining and informative. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterRichard James Havis
This everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach not only makes for pacey entertainment, it also allows director Christopher Bell to delve deep into the matter at hand. Read full review
80
Village VoiceMichelle Orange
Scrappy, remarkably expansive, crazily watchable. Read full review
80
The New York TimesStephen Holden
Bigger, Stronger, Faster* left me convinced that the steroid scandals will abate as the drugs are reluctantly accepted as inevitable products of a continuing revolution in biotechnology. Replaceable body parts, plastic surgery, anti-depressants, Viagra and steroids are just a few of the technological advancements in a never-ending drive to make the species superhuman. Read full review
80
New York Daily NewsJoe Neumaier
Entertaining, smart and snappy, this terrific doc, a Sundance favorite, digs into the country's use of steroids and how it affects sports, pop culture and the self-image of young men. Read full review
80
NewsweekDavid Ansen
Perfectly reflects the range of this funny, disturbing and complex tale. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleJosh Rosenblatt
Full of revelations, all brought to light by Bell's good-natured, Michael Moore-lite dogging of athletes, health experts, government officials, and even his own parents. Read full review
75
New York PostLou Lumenick
While Bell makes the point that pros account for about 85 percent of total usage, he is more interested in why others - including a guy with the world's biggest biceps, who admits they repulse women - are so driven to be Bigger, Stronger, Faster*. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleReyhan Harmanci
A smart, funny and edifying documentary. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeTy Burr
A hugely entertaining personal documentary about what steroids mean to American pop culture. Read full review
70
Washington PostStephen Hunter
He treats jocks like humans, not stars or superheroes, and in the end has managed something unique for documentaries these days: It's as entertaining as it is fair. Read full review
70
Chicago ReaderAndrea Gronvall
Bell presides over this insightful, often droll survey like a sweeter, buffer version of Michael Moore, trolling gyms, universities, and Congress to grill assorted experts. Read full review
67
Seattle Post-IntelligencerWilliam Arnold
It's an interesting and eye-opening journey. Read full review
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