Movie Review: The World's Fastest Indian

No, "The World's Fastest Indian" has no reference to American Indians nor a reference to citizens of India. "The World's Fastest Indian" is a story about a kiwi, a motorcycle and a dream to be great once in your life.

Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) is an aged motorcycle enthusiast living in New Zealand. Supported now by only his pension, he lives and works to improve his motorcycle. His one unrealized dream is to take his bike, a 1920 Indian (hence the name of the film), out to the Bonneville Salt Flats and see just how fast it can go.

Time and finances are not on his side. His health is failing and it looks like he won't get to go. Finances are dismal and he is missing a chunk of what he needs to fund his trip.

His friends encourage him to seek out his dream anyway. They help raise some money and aid him in getting a mortgage on his shed. Even rival bikers manage to chip in to help put New Zealand on the map. His support behind him, he manages to begin his journey to America to realize his dream.

This is Burt's story of adventure in his travels and his experiences that set him to break a class land speed record. Going half way around the world, Burt's first experiences begin in the insanity of 1960's gender bending Southern California. With the help of some newly acquired friends and acquaintances along the way, he manages to get past a number of obstacles as he makes his way to the Salt Flats.

When he arrives, it seems his troubles have just begun. He is not registered to run in the events, his vehicle will not pass safety checks and they think him to be inadequate to run due to his age. Overcoming obstacles is what this story is about and Burt is not about to let them stop him now.

The good news about the movie is you can't help but fall in love with the personality of Burt Munro. Anthony plays out the character of the geriatric, friendly, lecherous and righteous crusader with gusto. You get wrapped up in his story and root for him to succeed throughout the movie.

The bad news is there is a slow story about a fast motorcycle. Although Burt has many adventures and setbacks, the pace of the story is slow and the movie just drags. If they would have offered an intermission nap, I might have taken them up on it.

My opinion was that it was a pretty story, but that isn't enough to make a good film. Personally, I feel that my time would have been better spent watching another film. If you want a relaxing adventure story with little to no excitement, this is for you.