Conor McGregor: Notorious (2017) Movie Review
If you've ever watched a mixed martial arts clip on YouTube or caught an episode of "UFC Embedded," then you're probably familiar with what you'll get in Conor McGregor: Notorious. It's a full-length tribute to the Irish fighter who's now considered the biggest in the sport. But if you're already a regular on YouTube, you might want to stick to your usual content because the behind-the-scenes footage here is pretty standard.
The film is directed by Gavin Fitzgerald, who followed Team McGregor for about four years. It's basically a super positive tribute and a bit outdated, quickly touching on McGregor's recent boxing match with Floyd Mayweather at the end but mainly focusing on a couple of fights with Nate Diaz from last year. You can find it on different digital platforms after it played in North American theaters for just one night. This one is more for the super fans in New York, Boston, and Chicago; if you're not already a fan, it might not win you over.
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McGregor is this interesting guy, known for his witty insults during fights, but this documentary doesn't really give that aspect much attention. They mention Arnold Schwarzenegger's trash talk in "Pumping Iron" and how McGregor turned down a movie role, suggesting he might hit the big screen like Ronda Rousey did. But if you're a fan, this film might feel a bit repetitive, and if you're new to McGregor, you might wonder what the hype is all about.
McGregor, from Dublin, used to be a plumber's apprentice before going all-in on training and breaking into the UFC scene in 2012. The film shows bits of his life, like living with his girlfriend at his parents' house while training. His coach, John Kavanagh, is there too, but the film doesn't really dig into what makes McGregor unique or Kavanagh's thoughts on the sport.
Instead of narration, the film uses title cards to guide us through McGregor's journey from welfare to making big bucks. But what's missing is a deeper understanding of McGregor or the sport, which was illegal in New York until recently.
Rather than interviews, the film is filled with scenes of McGregor training, at press conferences, and hanging out in his fancy homes. Celebrities like Drake, Kanye, and Gordon Ramsay make appearances as big fans. There are lots of flashy montages showing the high life – private jets, fancy cars, you name it. McGregor's trash talk against Mayweather earlier this year wasn't as memorable, maybe because McGregor seemed to admire Mayweather's flashy style.
The film feels a bit exhausting, with uneven pacing, quickly brushing over McGregor's early and recent UFC fights but spending a lot of time in slow-motion showing McGregor cruising down the Vegas Strip in a Rolls Royce.