A Preview of ‘Long Way Up’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Something that is truly fascinating, when it comes to celebrities in America, is the sheer fact that the general public tends to put them in a special class, all of their own. Where they are viewed in a different light and regarded as special people, the kind that harbor an incredible drive to be the best at what they do and apparently, live their lives in a manner that is quite different from us every day folk. But that is quite frankly, an incorrect way to view celebrities. Simply because, they are indeed human beings like the rest of us, they just so happen to be extremely good at their chosen career field, one that just so happens to put them in the public eye.
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But how does the public truly come to understand that celebrities are people too, and have hopes and dreams and bucket lists like the rest of us? Well one handy way to make that happen, is to enjoy a documentary that revolves around someone in the limelight, and potentially go on an intimate journey with them during that tale. So that we can really see them for the person they are, and it just so happens that AppleTV+ is about to debut a documentary that meets that respective criteria. For Long Way Up is a documentary that features actor Ewan McGregor and his best friend Charley Boorman as they work to complete a long-standing personal mission; to ride motorcycles around the world. And when we catch up with them here, they’re making preparations to spend the next one-hundred days, traveling from the southernmost tip of Argentina to Los Angeles, in order to complete this dream journey.

Which sounds like the quite the daunting and challenging venture, and it is for certain. But there will be little discussion about the details when it comes to their bold voyage. No instead, it is best we talk about what makes this series such a compelling watch and how it manages to humanize one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and really, it’s best we start with the latter topic, first. Because this is simply Ewan McGregor in the raw, and he is quick to share his innermost thoughts on his love of travel and what his good friends mean to him, and hearing those thoughts aloud and seeing him sip on coffee or express his concerns about this trip, completely removes any mystique surrounding the man. Allowing for the audience to understand that he is indeed like the rest of us. Plus, we also quickly learn, that he is supremely eager to get this trip going, so he can soak in all the sights of the world and enjoy the wonders and comforts that other cultures offer.

But what’s truly impressive about this documentary, is that said sense of wonder extends beyond the majesty of other cultures. Because this is after all, a road trip, and a grand one at that. And being able to accompany Ewan and Charley every single step of the way, allows for the viewer to bask in the true majesty of the world. Because you are privy to some downright breathtaking views in this series, and you’re able to visit some unique places that you didn’t have a clue existed and being in the thick of it and enjoying every waking moment of this journey, invests the viewer in every way imaginable. Because now you want to see what other incredible sights and sounds await Ewan and Charley on their journey, and of course, you want nothing more than to see these two fine gents cross the finish line, on time.

In the end however, this is a fascinating documentary. Simply because it holds nothing back, and you are truly privy to every emotion imaginable when it comes to planning and executing an epic road trip. Plus, it also features an interesting twist in regard to how Ewan and Charley travel across the continents, one that we here at NTG are dying to reveal. But alas, it’s best we wait so you can enjoy the wonder of that discovery, when this series makes its debut on AppleTV+ on September 18, 2020 and we genuinely do hope you tune in. Because this documentary really is something special and unlike any other out there, and it really is going to be quite powerful to witness every singe challenge that Ewan and Charley are going to face, and every single victory, when their journey north gets underway. Until then.

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