REVIEW: ‘The Grand Tour: A Scandi Flick’ is Back to Business

The Grand Tour Presents: A Scandi Flick is a comedy documentary on Amazon Prime. The series follows presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May on a brand new special. On their first road trip abroad since the Covid Pandemic, the presenters take three rally cars on an adventure across the top of Scandinavia.

This documentary is a return to regular programming for the motoring show as it is freed from lockdown restrictions, allowing them to plunge forth into a new, globetrotting grand tour. That adds a grandiosity to this special already, paired with the scale of their mission that is really exciting. The stark, white wilderness of Norway, Sweden and Finland bring with it a sense of peril. The series also returns to its feature-length runtime. The pacing was clearly intended to keep moving forwards but unplanned events lead to it slowing down. It is many of these moments that provide this special with its power. It provides the show with a storyline of its own that clearly had not been foreseen when the crew set off. The storylines that were being generated are given more weight due to these moments. Annoyingly, some events may have been spoiled due to the press releasing information before the release date, but it also raises anticipation. Whether aware of it or not, these moments are still shocking and dramatic. 

What has also returned is the iconic chemistry between Clarkson, Hammond, and May. The presenters have a relationship that has been built over many, many years, and it is sincere in all its permutations. When pranking each other or enacting revenge for a previous prank, the hatred and the despair are real. The same can be said when they enjoy each other’s company. But when one of the men is in trouble, that concern and fright are palpable. It’s an infectious and endearing atmosphere. Not every joke made lands, with some either falling short or some just not being delivered brilliantly. Likewise, some of the pranks are great, but the scene about them is too long.

There is also a profound knowledge of cars and their history, brilliant when investigating what makes them great. The Grand Tour has long been able to create characters out of the machines the presenters drive, and this rally car special, and that resurfaces above the frozen lakes. It initially seems difficult to find that heart, with the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru Impreza being more like mechanical icons than rugged companions. But through accidental mishaps, a soul is forged within the metal. For those that are motorheads, the choices may be considered dull, but it is noted very early on that the cars have been selected for a reason. It is often that the initial conception of the car set at the beginning of the story is either maintained and proven right by their performance as the show progresses, or it is flipped, and the presenters are made to eat their words. And the three cars in this special appear to all travel along that spectrum.

Another part of The Grand Tour: A Scandi Flick that is incredible is the visuals. It is jaw-dropping in its photography, using ultra high definition cameras to really showcase the wilderness at its most brutal. Large aspect ratios fill the screen with as much of the scene as possible, making the show as large and inclusive as it can. The editing can be both dramatic and hilarious depending on the desired effect. In races or action scenes the experience shines through, blowing any competition out of the water. The colours are crisp and defined, although not needed as much in this special due to the vast amount of white. The wide camera angles help develop another character; the landscape. The jaw-dropping beauty is merged with the unforgiving harshness is encapsulated perfectly. It gives each special individuality and a distinction.

The Grand Tour: A Scandi Flick is the team getting back to business. These epic adventures through some of the most grueling and captivating places on Earth had been curtailed due to travel being limited. And whilst they did what they could with some fun specials, The Grand Tour’s new remit was deflated. But here it is reinvigorated. This is what the series is best at, exploring magnificent territory in amazing cars. It may be considered formulaic but there is something deeply absorbing about the show. There have been a few times where the antics that the cast get up make them seem invincible. This special grounds them and reminds us that they are humans and are only milliseconds from disaster. 

The Grand Tour: A Scandi Flick is available only on Amazon Prime.