The Crash Reel is one of the most emotionally moving movies I have ever seen, which is very impressive for a documentary. This film is about the life of Kevin Pearce, a professional snowboarder from Vermont, before and after he sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It starts with you learning about Kevin as a child, and you seem to grow up with him as his life progresses. You are emotionally invested in him after learning about his struggles, competitions and setbacks. It details the story of him and Shawn White's intense rivalry for the best in the world, and follows the story of his adolescence up to his adult life. The film does a very good job of establishing the friendship/competition between the two of them. It is such an intriguing story that you forget what the movie is about. You are just focussed on Kevin living out his dream, and showing his immense love for snowboarding. 

Then it happens. The way that the film is edited, and how the crash happens in such a unexpected and split second way, It's like you were there watching it yourself. The B roll of his friends watching it, reacting to it, and then the action shots of the paramedics and helicopter are all very surreal. You are transported to the hospital with Kevin, and you pray with his family that he's going to pull through. Even though you know he makes it, this documentary does such a good job of sucking you in that you completely forget that. 

Then the movie has you rooting for Kevin as he goes through physical therapy and surgeries and all sorts of medical procedures to get his life back. It's really sad because you can see all the ways he is different since his accident. You can tell the difference in his eyes, in the way he speaks in interviews, contrasting heavily with the ones he did before his accident. You can see how badly he wants to get back to what he calls his "True love," snowboarding, but you also know the dangers of it. The movie incorporates a cautionary tale when they interview ex-snowboarder Trevor Rhodes. Trevor was a snowboarder who sustained a really bad TBI, where doctors had to remove part of his skull and 30% of his frontal lobe. Trevor was encouraged by his friends to get back to his life before the accident, and soon had another brain injury. The interview with him and his mom basically brought me to tears. Trevor is a shell of the person he used to be, and if you watch the movie you will see what I am talking about. The movie also shows how supportive Kevin's family is of him. His older brother Adam quit his job and completely focussed on helping Kevin. His brother David, who has down syndrome, is supportive of Kevin, and is also inspired by his story to help live with his disability. Kevin had a really long and hard road back to recovery, and this film did an incredibly good job of displaying it. And when he finally gets back on a snowboard again, you will want to jump in the air in triumph and happiness, as it is truly a beautiful moment. 

I recommend this movie very, very highly to anyone. Any snowboarder will be emotionally moved by this film, but I think even other people will be touched by it. It is beautifully made with both incredible cinematography, B roll placement and music, and it is near a perfect film to me. I would watch this with anyone, anytime, because it both saddens and inspires you, and I love it. I'm not super great with words, so it's hard for me to explain how incredible this movie is, but please watch it yourself and you are in for an amazing experience. 

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