Sure to appeal to rabid enthusiasts of motorcycle and motorbike racing, On Any Sunday II captures the speed and drama of these sports with technical efficiency, and even casual viewers will be impressed with the magnificent physical skill in which motorcycle champion Bruce Penhall maneuvers his vehicle around the tight turns of the raceway. Furthermore, filmmakers Ed Forsyth and Don Shoemaker do a fine job in coaxing out Penhall and fellow racers Brad Lackey, Bob Hannah, and Kenny Roberts in their respective interviews. Even more intriguing is how this 1981 feature presents fringe sports in an era before cable television made extreme competitions into a quasi-Olympic pursuit. But as with any fringe sport, the novelty of the competition eventually becomes tiresome for all but the diehard fan. While On Any Sunday II is a well-made film, it lacks the passion and overdrive personality to convert the unfamiliar into the fold of couch-bouncing fan frenzy. Optional. (P. Hall)
On Any Sunday II
Monterey, 90 min., PG, DVD: $19.95 February 9, 2004
On Any Sunday II
Star Ratings
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