One of the bonus features on the DVD is a 30min 'making of ROAM' feature. We started out with an 8min preview, and it was just enough to get an already pumped crowed hyped up even further. Once the actual film was about to begin, you could feel the anticipation in the theatre.

ROAM answered in a big way, right off the bat. The first three segments clearly grabbed everyone in the room in a similar way. The riding, the photography and the music were all combined to create some of the absolute best segments I've seen in a mountain bike film. Watching the beginning of ROAM, is watching art. It's not like watching art, it's 'watching art'. Moving art. The camera angles, the flow and the riding all combine to create something powerful, something memorable, something that moves you to want to be out of your seat and on your bike.

ROAM begins with a segment on the North Shore; Darren Berrecloth tearing up a 'traditional' North Shore trail of bridges, skinnies, drops and jumps with his brother Ryan. The cable cam work, and Darren's moves had the entire theatre of riders cheering, gasping and 'awww'ing.

Next up, a segment from whistler that takes a very familiar (and videoed) spot and totally turns in into something new. Riders always look their best on the trails they ride at home (the most often) and this segment is built on that familiarity. Six riders, one potentially over-filmed mountain...and I'm still wishing the segment was longer. It was that good.

Other things to look forward to in ROAM include a wicked shot in Moab, Jordie Lunt's backyard, some great shots with Matt Hunter and if you're into huge lines Romaniuk and Gullevich deliver as usual. Ryan Leech pulls a train-rail move that had the entire theatre cheer loudly.

But, it's not all perfect. I found that ROAM slowed down a bit in the middle. Initially I wasn't worried about it, but I distinctly remember thinking "no worries, it'll pick up again"...but I never really felt like it did. The first part of the film was art. It drew me in, put me in awe and made me feel a part of the ride. The second half, however, felt a little flat. The problem is, I can't tell you why.

Is it because it's not "The Collective"? Is it because the second half had more big lines...stuff I don't ride myself? Maybe I went in with weird expectations? I know for a fact I was looking forward to the cable cam, so when I thought there wasn't enough...was it true, or just pre-conceived?

One thing I'm not sure of, though, is whether ROAM was truly 'finished'. The Collective was carefully colour corrected so it matched from beginning to end. It had a 'shine' to it that clearly said "16mm film" instead of "digital video". ROAM didn't have that, yet. Berrecloth's segment had that super film depth to it, but other segments didn't. My guess? ROAM isn't 100% ready to burn to DVD's...so there might be some surprises still to be had.

In order to 'rate' ROAM, I'd need to see it again. I know that others shared my feelings about the second half...but we all were saying the same thing "I need to see it again". Those first three segments though, they absolutely blew me away. I would have bought ROAM tonight if I could of...just to see those segments again.

I have a chance to see it again in Whistler in a week or two. Perhaps that's the second viewing I need to be sold on ROAM.

-Dave