The Grand Tour: Sand Job Review – Clarkson & Co.’s Saharan Victory Lap

The Grand Tour roars back with Sand Job, the latest globetrotting escapade from everyone’s favorite motoring maniacs – Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. This rambunctious trio first made a name for themselves with the massively popular Top Gear on BBC, delighting viewers worldwide with their contagious camaraderie and uncanny ability to turn any road trip into chaos.

Now in their second-to-last outing for Amazon Prime Video, the lads embark on a rally raid-inspired journey across the striking yet unforgiving landscapes of North Africa. Buckling up modified sports cars that look ready for the Dakar, they set out to cross scorching Mauritanian deserts and conquer the final stretch of the iconic Paris-Dakar route.

Adventure and adversity await at every dust-choked turn, but one thing’s for sure – with these three at the wheel, monotony will not be making the trip. So sit back and enjoy the ride as Clarkson, Hammond, and May take viewers on a mirth-filled, dune-drifting rollercoaster guaranteed to satisfy any petrolhead. We can’t promise they’ll reach the finish line unscathed, but the fun is in tagging along for the mayhem.

A Trio That Just Clicks

A big part of what makes The Grand Tour such an enjoyable viewing experience is the irresistible camaraderie between its three hosts. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May have a rapport honed over decades of working together, and their signatures styles play off each other perfectly. Brash and opinionated Clarkson serves as the ringleader, while energetic Hammond provides an enthusiastic counterpoint to his bravado. Quiet but quick-witted May brings a dry British humor to the mix, tossing out deadpan quips that keep his co-presenters on their toes.

Whether they’re cruising across the dunes or battling break-downs, the lively banter flows nonstop. They rib each other mercilessly, but also share plenty of laughs – even when the jokes are at their own expense. There’s a warmth that comes through even when the wisecracks are flying, an easygoing charm that lets viewers feel like they’re tagging along with three old friends. The bickering has bite but no real malice behind it. Each small misery is punctuated with clever gags that speak to close comfort with one another. Casual viewers may see only chaos, but longtime fans recognize the care at the core.

And when genuine dangers or difficulties arise amid the desert landscapes, viewers see hints of real concern behind the usual bravado. Brief check-ins carry an unspoken message: “Are you alright, mate?” Their lighthearted heckling carries them through stressful situations, but there’s also an unmistakable bond below the surface.

So while the cars, stunts, and scenarios around them may vary wildly, the magnetic teamwork of Clarkson, Hammond, and May links all their escapades. With these three at the wheel, the jokes write themselves – no script required.

Stunning Vistas Brought to Life

While the hosts’ hijinks may be the headliner, the cinematography and production quality of The Grand Tour deserve some serious recognition. After all, capturing the magic of an ambitious road trip requires behind-the-scenes talent as well as on-camera charisma. Shooting in the stark Mauritanian desert poses no shortage of challenges, but the film crew rises to the occasion with some downright stunning results.

Sweeping drone shots reveal the nation’s rugged beauty from new heights, treating viewers to an awe-inspiring bird’s-eye view of the terrain. The seemingly endless oceans of sand, harsh yet beautiful in their desolation, stretch to the horizon and beyond. Clever camera angles that peer up through the windows of a moving railcar offer a ground-level glimpse at the longest train most people will ever see. And when the presenters go static, compositional skills shine through too. Dramatic low-angle shots amplify the ominous vibe of a cavern passageway, while a perfectly-framed timelapse turns the simple task of setting up camp into a visual feast.

The production team clearly came prepared, using specialized equipment to capture the challenges posed by the remote environment. State-of-the-art stabilization rigs allow for crisp video despite jostling transit over rough desert tracks. Extra lights compensate for dim conditions in subterranean settings. The end results are nothing short of spectacular – images so striking and cinematic that paused screenshots could serve as professional desktop wallpaper. Top-notch filming transforms the desolate Mauritanian landscape into a veritable star.

A Road Trip That Cruises and Crawls

At its core, Sand Job follows the familiar road trip template that has served The Grand Tour well across countless adventures. The episode tracks the presenters’ journey in distinct stages, mirroring the rally routes of old as they traverse Mauritania from remote desert outpost to vibrant coastal capital. We ride along through all the ups, downs, and break-downs in between – the high-octane action sequences, odd cultural encounters, and not-so-comfortable campouts.

The early legs feature the transit triumphs and tribulations expected of a formidable desert crossing. But once the trio reaches the bustling streets of Nouakchott, the plot veers into a more free-flowing structure. The hosts explore the city’s sights and sounds with contagious enthusiasm, bouncing from local cafés to curbside car meets with ease. Their final push towards Dakar also revisits that open-road spirit. Sure, orchestrated mishaps still pepper the path, but that last leg carries an infectious air of spontaneous adventure.

If the episode has an Achilles’ heel, it’s pacing. That delightful Nouakchott pit stop reveals what works, but elsewhere, the ratio of happenings to downtime feels off-kilter. The opens stretches of uneventful driving wear thin fast, dialogue and antics unable to fully distract from the visual monotony. And moments meant to ratchet up dramatic stakes fall short without proper pacing build-up, plot peaks landing with more of a plop than a pop.

At over two hours, Sand Job overstays its welcome a bit. Tightening up that middling middle act could have kept energy levels from flagging. But maybe leisurely pacing is the point – an attempt to capture that fact that even the most epic expeditions are filled with long hours of watching the odometer tick by.

Laughing Their Way Through the Desert

It simply wouldn’t be The Grand Tour without schoolboy antics and some friendly sabotage between co-hosts, and Sand Job delivers on both fronts. The humor relies heavily on the trio’s sharp interpersonal banter, nonstop wisecracks peppering everything from flat tires to bathroom breaks. Much is made of their advanced ages, merciless cracks about athletic shortcomings and prostate exams keeping things lighthearted. But the simpler, situational comedy lands well too, like Clarkson struggling to deploy an uncooperative tent.

Of course, outright pranks also make memorable appearances. As expected, things escalate quickly once the mind games get underway. Hammond bears the brunt this round, though his sprinkling sugar in May’s gas tank shows he gives just as good as he gets. The troop awakens one morning to find their campsite perimeter lined with children’s shoes, a disturbing sight gag that leaves Clarkson cackling. And in a clever callback later on, we learn he has decorated his own sleeping quarters with the displaced footwear, upping the creep factor substantially.

Some gags shine brighter than others, but the casual barrage of jokes means even the groaners get swept up in an atmosphere of fun. Are certain sight gags juvenile? Perhaps, but they tap into a playful troublemaking spirit that should resonate with the hosts’ aging yet youthful fanbase. Like a great road trip, having fun company along for the ride makes all the difference.

A Grand Finale…Or Just the Finale?

At its best, The Grand Tour: Sand Job captures that distinct magic viewers have come to expect after years following Clarkson, Hammond, and May across continents. The hosts’ signature rapport powers the adventure even when the action lulls, and stunning cinematography brings the remote Sahara gloriously to life. Yet despite the triumphs, an undeniable feeling creeps in that the crew may be riding towards the end of the road. Stretches of plodding pacing, scripted mishaps, and an anticlimactic conclusion all hint that the wild rides of Top Gear past have drifted into the rearview mirror.

But though the episode struggles at times, it still delivers exactly what devotees signed up for. The final beachside scramble encapsulates that spirited enthusiasm, camaraderie, and humor that made millions around the world fall for these three unlikely heroes in the first place. Petrolheads will undoubtedly relish this last dash of desert derring-do. And even the odd lull carries that comfortable allure of a road trip with old friends, filled with inside jokes and meandering detours.

So while Sand Job’s shortcomings might suggest the grand touring should soon draw to a close, it’s still chock full of the heart and humor that endeared this ragtag crew to the masses. Should the checkered flag finally wave on Prime Video’s globetrotting franchise after the next and final special, fans can take solace that it sputtered out rather than crashed. Because when it comes to this trio, the journey itself has always outpaced the destination.

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