Chris Bell and his older and younger brothers (“Mad Dog” and “Smelly,” respectively) grew up during the rise of Hulk Hogan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sylvester Stallone. To the Bells, these oily, ripped warriors weren’t limited to admiration — the boys could be champions, too, if only they put in the time, dedication, and hard work.
Oh, and that other thing that Hulk, Arnold, and Sly put in (via hypodermic needle): anabolic steroids.
All three Bell brothers tried steroids, but only Mad Dog and Smelly — along with thousands of “gym rats” and athletes worldwide — got hooked. Bell’s experience as a power-lifting juicer, along with a healthy dose of self-awareness, gives him a unique perspective on the issue. Bigger, Stronger, Faster* (which does not feature Daft Punk) takes a broad swipe at America’s “win at all costs” culture and how it both encourages and condemns steroid use by bodybuilders and athletes. Bell interviews his family, local lifters, medical experts, lawmakers, and some famous faces (including Carl Lewis and a near-miss with the Governator himself) to try to inject some truth into the controversy. The statistics are occasionally surprising, but Bell’s assertion that steroid use is a “side-effect of being American” doesn’t ring true. The film is strongest when it stays close to home, but what Bell lacks in impact he makes up for in honesty. In the end, Bell lifts more than he can handle, but comes out a winner for doing it fair and square.
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