The World's Fastest Indian: Critic Reviews

Hopkins savors every bit of business as his Burt charms everyone in his path.

This based-on-fact story of a New Zealand coot who defies age by racing his motorcycle competitively is a big mushy piece of ice cream cake for Anthony Hopkins.

It creaks and splutters all the way, but Hopkins' charm keeps it chugging along steadily.

As the movie's tag line has it, it's based on a hell of a story. Too bad they didn't just tell it.

History dictates that you know how the story ends. Still, the heart beats no less fast when you watch Munro's Indian rocketing across those salt flats. You can see how it might be enough to justify a journey halfway around the world.

It's hard to resist the film's pleasantly rambling narrative and market-defying eccentricity.

The film may be cutesy-poo for some tastes, and there isn't much nail-chewing suspense in Burt's pursuit or his lighthearted subjugation of everyone he meets. But man and "motor-sickle" sneaked up and beguiled me, so all I could do was hop on.

Unfortunately, this two-hour-plus journey feels like it's aboard a genial camel.

The World's Fastest Indian takes off at full-out maudlin and never bothers to throttle down.

The World's Fastest Indian is a movie about an old coot and his motorcycle, yes, but it is also about a kind of heroism that has gone out of style.

These days, when movies often fatuously exploit youth and condescend to age, it's refreshing to see something like Roger Donaldson's picaresque action movie The World's Fastest Indian.

This compelling fact-based story is [Donaldson's] best effort in years.

The inspiring true story The World's Fastest Indian should be mandatory viewing for anyone who has ever said, 'I'm getting too old for this.'

The World's Fastest Indian, in which Anthony Hopkins gets to play an adorably cantankerous old man, is a pretty safe bet as far as movies go.

There also are plenty of nuts-and-bolts references to satisfy those interested in racing, whether on two wheels or four. The movie features some funny moments, such as when Munro makes his own pistons and then brews tea from the cooling-barrel water.

Personal film projects about which directors feel passionate about don't necessarily result in good films as is evident in this manipulative and schmaltzy inspirational fairy tale.

Leaves a sweet, rather than sticky, taste.

Hopkins' larger-than-life performance as the crusty and crafty Burt rivets your attention for two solid hours in this most entertaining labor of love.

The World's Fastest Indian is an old-fashioned feel-good movie.

The World's Fastest Indian does what it sets out to do: educates about a mostly unknown historical figure (without doctoring the facts too much), entertains, and uplifts.

A pleasingly whimsical and slyly mischievous road movie.

Even a nice chianti couldn't help you wash down this lump of tear-jerking twaddle.

Though the movie may be quaint and at times overly familiar, it achieves its goal of being inspiring while portraying a man's singular pursuit of excellence.

Hopkins' joyous romp is a little slow for kids.