Layne Norton - “Unleashed”
http://www.biolayne.com/ I find myself torn between wanting to review this DVD from a videographer’s point of view and as a fan of bodybuilding. “Unleashed” excels on both counts!
As a videographer I can really appreciate the skill with which Unleashed is put together. Though highly polished and professional, make no mistake, this isn’t a film and makes no attempt to feel like a “movie”. Rather , “Unleashed” is a great example of what I would call a high-energy video style.
Quick zooms, active hand-held camera work and quick cutting all add up to give this DVD a very edgy, modern feel. (Think LOST, with muscles!) Gym footage is crisp and well lit. Interviews are nicely composed. Music is used tastefully and Layne’s voice is clear, whether in interview or live in the gym. In short, this is a top notch production by Paul Glinski and Proedit.
Layne is a natural, in more ways than one. Not only is he a drug-free IFPA and NGA pro bodybuilder, but he is also very comfortable and eloquent in front of the camera. Layne sure walks the walk, that is evident from his physique as seen in the gym and in contest footage winning the NGA Heart of America competition in 2006. But he also can talk the talk.
And talk he does!! There is so much good information about nutrition and training on this DVD that many aspiring bodybuilders may wear out the reverse button on their remote controls! “What did he just say?? I gotta write that down!”
The 35 minute minute main feature is packed with great footage and information. Watching this it quickly becomes apparent that Layne knows his stuff. He’s a graduate student studying muscle protein metabolism, so when Layne talks nutrition, I listen!
Layne’s ideas about training are as in-depth and innovative as his nutrition advice. The gym footage is intense and inspiring all the while infused with Layne’s intelligent commentary. Anyone looking to create a program of diet and exercise to build massive muscles would benefit from owning this DVD and watching it over and over. It’s like a video textbook on the current state of bodybuilding knowledge!
The only shortcoming I found with Unleashed was that even though there was a lot of good scientific information, there wasn’t much of a story. Then I clicked on the bonus features and found something called “Layne vs Nick Katrichis”, a great piece about the rivalry between Norton and a good friend as they train for the same contest. This engaging short video has the same level of expertise as main feature and could easily be on ESPN.
It was very satisfying for me to see Layne more relaxed in a video that had a bit of a story to it. Maybe in future DVDs we can get even more of a day-in-the-life view of Layne’s world and see first hand what it takes to devote oneself to natural bodybuilding and how it affects one’s life.
The Bonus features contain a lot of “unedited” workout footage for those who want a more relaxed peek into Layne’s training style and philosophy. Yet even this footage is not truly “unedited” and it moves along nicely. A few deleted scenes, including a sometimes funny extended interview at a diner, round out this excellent DVD.
Layne is a smart and personable guy with a lot of information to impart. Unleashed presents Layne in an entertaining way but never wanders far from the business at hand, good solid bodybuilding information.
Watch the teaser...
Unleashed is available from Layne’s website here...
http://www.scivation.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=53Mike Pulcinella
February 17, 2008
Mike Pulcinella is a videographer/digital editor living in Pennsylvania and the creator of the Raising the Bar bodybuilding documentary series.
http://www.mikepulcinella.com/portfolio.htm
