Bent Prop Productions(2006)
Running time: 44 min + extras
<img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.7.jpg" align="left"> I've been dreading writing this review since this movie came out. Everyone who saw Volume 1 of this series watched in awe as Greg Miller and Lonnie Habersetzer insubordinately rewrote the definition of the slow flight envelope and the common understanding of STOL operations with their gravel bar landings and impressive airstrip-lengthening hydroplaning techniques. We've seen what they do. We now know it's possible. What could a second volume possibly show us to give us that "wow" feeling again?
Good question. I couldn't help but keep that thought in mind as I hit PLAY on my copy of Big Rocks and Long Props Vol 2: "WaterPlay." Greg has been bragging all year about how he is now using some new high-end video equipment to film this installment, so I was curious as to how the quality of production of this new vid was going to compare. Let's see....what other hype is there to consider about this movie? Locations? BRLP1 was filmed in the lush and overgrown rivers of Oregon and Washington, a backdrop that I never tire of, but I like to see some variety too.
<img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.9.jpg" align="right">BRLP2 does not disappoint in any of these aspects. The video quality is noticeably better, although I had to fire up BRLP1 and watch again to prove it. It's not one of those things like the difference between a camcorder and 35mm Panavision. It's still video, but it's much crisper and richer with color and resolution. The frames switch back and forth between the 16:9 "widescreen" aspect ratio of the new camera, and the standard 4:3 of the smaller cameras he uses on the outboard of the aircraft to capture those first person views. Some scenes even show both camera views in the same split-frame. It's a very cool mix.
The locations are very different from Volume 1, and as much as I love the scenery of tight canyons and tiny rivers, BRLP1 didn't stray much from that formula. I felt like it was the same river, just different little strips. This time though, Greg mixes it up a little bit and takes us to some breathtaking new locations around the Northwest and Alaska . Though I am a native Oregonian, I just haven't gotten around the northeast part of the state enough to recognize the places he filmed for BRLP2, so I'll be more vague about it, which is probably for the best. I don't want to dime out Greg's secret stash.
He takes us to eastern Oregon, which is a high desert climate, and very wide open with river canyons and plateaus. In one of the final scenes, he takes us to a wide valley in Alaska with what looks like 6 feet of snowpack in the backgound, melting and forming a network of shallow rivers of runoff, with an incredible backdrop of mountains and wide open blue sky. That's a lot to fit into one description of a place...my comma key is wearing out. Suffice to say, I like Greg's sense of variety in his locations.
<img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.8.jpg" align="left">I was impressed with Greg's custom experimental Maule M5 "Bushwhacker" the first time around, and through the whole first viewing I was saying to myself "I wish he would stop and explain everything he's done to that beast." I was pleasantly surprised that it was included in the DVD extras. This time is no exception, only he goes the extra mile and does an "airplane profile" for each airfcraft featured in the video, which brings me to my next topic: The aircraft of BRLP2.
We're all familiar with The Bushwhacker, but this time he also includes Doug Keller's "Husky Cub", and Byron Root's Sherpa, which is a spectacle to behold. It's much larger than it looks initially, and if you look for other visual cues in the scenes you'll see just how large it really is. Greg puts it through its paces in several scenes, and it is an impressive performer, though he admits he did not want to push it too much as he was only borrowing the plane.
<img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.13.jpg" align="right">The flying in BRLP2 is exciting and impressive as usual. One major difference this time around is that the video has a definite instructional feel to it. I've watched other videos that tried their hardest to avoid this by staying tight lipped and spouting legalese about how no pilot should pay attention to any of the techniques being practiced....but hey-- I for one watch everything another pilot does. Greg probably does too, and he knows we're eager to hear some of the specifics of what he's thinking and doing as he pilots that machine. Granted, his instructional techniques are relegated to skills that are specific to what he's doing at the time, like hydroplaning at the right speed, or braking in 3" of water-- Stuff we don't encounter daily as pilots. That said, if you're not sure you can do this stuff, well, you can't, so don't try.
Entertaining us with his genuinely honest narration, Greg talks us through one scene where he came very close to taking out his wing on a narrow beach landing. I think he's finally realizing that by feeding us this daredevil footage, our threshold of awe is being pushed beyond the realm of acceptable. Now I want to see more "almost crashes."
<img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.1.jpg" align="left">BRLP2 takes it a step further this time with the DVD extras. In addition to the prior mentioned aircraft profiles, we get to see 28 minutes of great footage from the Valdez STOL Competition in Valdez, Alaska where Paul Klause wows the crowd with a 51' takeoff roll in his Super Cub.
Also included is a section called "Field Repairs," (6 min) a very heartwarming account of a bunged up Super Cub that receives some MacGuyver-quality repairs necessary to get it home to the real shop. The sound of mosquitos buzzing the microphone really takes you there.
Overall, another great production from Greg Miller and company. The production quality in the series has improved, as well as the variety of "stunts" and editing magic with the split frames and picture-in-picture simul-shots. I do have one suggestion for Greg for Volume 3 however: Let's get some plot and objective into these movies. Kind of like a Warren Miller (any relation?) ski flick. Warren always seems to add a true storyteller-like narrative to his movies: "So we loaded up the 2007 Jeep Commander and headed for Aspen,CO, where we planned to meet up with Olympian Bode Miller for a tour of the USA ski team training grounds...." I'd just like to see something besides the flying and the scenery to retain my attention. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Big Rocks and Long Props Volume 2: Waterplay can be found in the BCP store, or by visiting the Bent Prop Productions homepage.
Here are some more screenshots:
<table><tr><td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.1.jpg"></td> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.2.jpg"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.3.jpg"></td> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.4.jpg"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.5.jpg"></td> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.6.jpg"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.7.jpg"></td> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.8.jpg"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.9.jpg"></td> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.10.jpg"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.11.jpg"></td> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.12.jpg"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="http://www.backcountrypilot.org/i/screenshots/brlp2.13.jpg"></td> <td></td> </tr> </table>
