Yes, it's really like that. Remember as well you are at a pressure altitude of about 9500' flying on that base leg so your TAS is much higher than normal meaning turns are wider. If you mess up that turn, you mess it up big time. My first time on that base leg, I was heavily involved in flying the complicated procedure approach, checks, flap extension, dropping the gear, getting 'cabin OK' from the cabin crew, and chuntering down the base. The copilot asked 'have you actually looked at the runway?' and up until then I hadn't had time. It was the classic eyes wide, 'omigawd!', strangled call for full flap and get turn going quick. You're very very close, and landing at over 8000', over the threshold you suddenly become aware how much faster than normal you are going. Actually stopping on the runway is exciting too.