Fab Five Documentary.Should I or Shouldn't I?
I became a Michigan fan in the fall of 89 watching them play Notre Dame. I can remember the very moment I became a fan,when I saw those helmets. That may have been in 89 but my first major memories of Michigan are of Desmond Howard and also the Fab Five. That leads me to this question,should I watch the Fab Five documentary? I dvr'd it when it aired March 13th,I had just had neck surgery and used that as a excuse to not watch it at the time.I guess I'm worried if I watch it one of my first and fondes memories of growing up a Michigan fan in Ohio will change. Did anyone else feel this way or have the same reservations?? Maybe I should just grow up and watch it and see the real story of the Fab Five and not worry about what the kid in me remembers of it.
And am still a fan now. Do it... do it.... do it....
I was way too young to appreciate the Fab Five as a kid, so it's hard for me to gauge what you'll think of it. That being said, I can't imagine it would tarnish your good feelings at all.
Unless you're oblivious to what was going on completely, it won't have any surprises. Fantastic film. Don't refuse yourself the pleasure.
as to worry that a documentary could change your mind and you don't want it to. Watch it.
Just nitpicking, but wouldn't the OP be open-minded for thinking a documentary could change his mind in spite of him not wanting to? I would think a close-minded person would watch the documentary and not allow him/herself to change his opinions.
It was extremely well done, and as I was born in '92, it was really interesting to see. I personally fast forwarded through the national championship game with Webber's Timeout because my dad felt it was too painful to watch. But other than that, it's definitely worth watching
Yeah the timeout game was the worst part of the whole documentary, and only because it sucked seeing it again. The scandaly stuff seemed to be kinda squeezed in at the end, I don't remember them spending too much time on it. Definitely worth watching.
...man up and watch. Do it tonight then tune into ESPN's "The Year of the QB: The Brady 6" at 10 pm ET. Make it a Michigan evening.
The Fab 5 documentary is the most entertaining thing I've watched in a while. You're only doing yourself a disservice by not watching it.
This.
It was really, really good.
Before watching the documentary, i was unaware as to the depth of the violations. But looking back on it and what the program has done since then fortified my foundation as a Michigan fan in a way that I did not think could be possible. Watch it, you will enjoy it.
Hope you neck is better post surgery. GO BLUE!
I was 12-13 when the Fab Five happened. I didnt know about the Webber stuff until a few years later like most. The thing about the Fab Five I loved so much was being a teen and a Michigan fan in southern Ohio,that was the only time were all my OSU friends were truly jealous that they weren't Michigan fans. I was part of the generation that became basketball fans because of the Fab Five. I'll man up and watch it and I'm glad that you guys kind of know where I'm coming from.
If you're honestly a true huge fan, watching a movie about what you love, despite some eyesores, should never change your opinion. You already know what happened so why would you be scared to watch it in its entirety? I became a Michigan fan because of the Fab Five. My parents both went to State, but when I saw the Fab Five I loved the Maize and Blue since. The documentary actually only made me love Michigan more.
I downloaded from iTunes a couple of days ago and watched it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't as good as I was expecting either given all of the recent press.
For me, the essence of the Fab Five was that they were just very fun to watch play basketball. When things were going well, it was almost like watching the Globetrotters out there toying with other teams. The documentary didn't seem to catch that aspect even when it was using game footage.
Instead, the film seemed to focus more on cultural impact of Fab Five. Their uniform stylings as well as their perceived exploitation by the big money interests in sports. The documentary seems to play more to their popular perception as self-aggrandizing youngins far more than their basketball ever did back in the day. But they are much older now and they end up sounding a bit like grumpy old men and it does leave a slightly bitter taste after viewing.
I think the thing that was most insightful, however, was the realization of just how conservative/traditional M sports fans & alumni are (despite the University's & Ann Arbor's otherwise "liberal" reputation). It was pretty shocking to hit pause and actually read the lines written in some of the complaint letters by fans & alumni. First time & my life I've felt sincerely embarrassed to be an M alumnus.
On a more positive note, I also downloaded the 1989 Rose Bowl game via iTunes and that has been a lot of fun to watch. Demetrious Brown must be the most forgotten Rose Bowl winning QB in school history.
and it sat there on my desktop glaring at me for weeks..."swamy, you must acknowledge me...for it is your destiny!"
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<br>Seriously, it's a great look back. I'm glad I watched it after all the dust settled.
Definitely watch it. Very good movie
I highly recommend it. Watch it. And be moved/appalled.
I watched it the night it came out...and am really glad I saw it before all the back and forth in the media. It might not have looked/sounded quite the same after hearing all the nonsense.
You absolutely have to watch. Based on your comments it sounds like we have a lot in common with regards to our UofM fandom. My first sports memories are of the Bad Boys, Desmond, and the Fab Five. If anything, watching the documentary will only bring back the same goosebumps you had when you were a kid. It did for me. As for the "not so fun" parts, we all know the details anyway and that never made me resent the Fab Five or second guess why I loved them so much as a kid. Seeing it again only reaffirmed my unconditional love for those five players. They (and Desmond of course) made a Michigan fan when I was simply rooting for Michigan by default because of family...
It reminded me how much I loved them....Its a must see for ANY michigan fan.
Watched it. Think the fab five were more awesome than I did before. It's produced by some of the fab five, so it probably won't do too much to ruin your reputation of the team. All I thought about was how much that team would dominate in today's game.
yes, it's your duty as a M fan. You have to take the good and the bad. Be a man...
I remember the Fab Five clearly, loved that period of Michigan basketball, and even when the scandal was ongoing, I was never less of a fan even when I knew the program would be virtually destroyed for years. If you're a fan, you'll remain a fan.
The documentary left me feeling quite sad. I'm always bothered by the "what could have been" feeling. Like what could have been for the last 20+ years of M bball if the scandal never took place.
It was a very good program, though. It should be watched.
One thing that I wish would have been mentioned during the segment about the fab 5 merchandising, is that every sports store in Columbus Ohio had more Michigan gear than it had OSU gear during that time. I was in Central Ohio during that time, and it was amazing. A great time to be an M fan in Ohio.
April 12th, 2011 at 10:33 PM ^
Definitely should watch that!!!!! I had friends from Wisconsin call me about it and tell me how badass it was.