Mika: Live In Cartoon Motion (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Now why can't more music DVD releases feature as much excellent material as featured on this 2007 video release from Casablanca/Universal Republic? Mika's 'Live In Cartoon Motion' not only features a full concert mixed in high quality DTS 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Stereo but also features a number of bonus features exclusive to this DVD release. Here's a breakdown of the tracklisting:
*Live At L'Olympia, Paris - 30th June 2007:
Relax, Take It Easy
Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)
My Interpretation
Billy Brown
Any Other World
Stuck In The Middle
Ring Ring
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Holy Johnny
Happy Ending
I Want You Back
Love Today
Grace Kelly
Lollipop
*Bonus Features - Videos:
Grace Kelly
Love Today
Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)
Relax, Take It Easy [French Version]
Happy Ending
Live & Acoustic:
Grace Kelly [Live From 'Later With Jools Holand']
Everybody's Talkin'
Love Today
*Documentary - A Long Way From Home:
Travel with Mika on his world tour in an exclusive never before seen documentary.
The concert is, of course, the main program here. Clocking in at just under 60 minutes 'Live In Cartoon Motion' features live performances of nearly all tracks from the 'Life In Cartoon Motion' album. The only LP tracks not performed in this concert are "Over My Shoulder", a hidden bonus track on the album, and "Erase", an exclusive U.S. album track. "Ring Ring", a bonus cut on a number of editions of the album, makes a welcomed appearance here.
Not only does the program feature a bunch of well known cuts it also features a number of rarities. One of the many highlights of the concert is the exclusive live acoustic performance of "Holy Johnny", which has yet to appear on any other commercial release. I love this track! A low quality performance has been circling the Web for months now, but at last, it's here in full quality audio and high definition video! Additionally, Mika covers Eurythmics' classic "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" and Jackson 5's "I Want You Back".
All promo music videos are included up to the release of "Happy Ending" in the U.K. Many fans may wonder why the "Relax" video is subtitled "French Version" -- that is because a new U.K. version has been edited as well, featuring not only a slight remix of the track but also live clips from the concert. Furthermore, an animated "Lollipop" video has been cut as well for a U.K. double A-sided single release with "Relax". Unfortunately, neither video made the deadline for this DVD release.
Note that the videos for "Love Today", "Big Girl", and "Happy Ending" feature the exclusive single versions of the tracks, not the original album versions. "Love Today" and "Big Girl" are presented in their U.K. radio edit versions, whereas "Happy Ending" is presented in it's remixed "L.A. Edit" version. The inclusion of these mixes is a bonus for the fans who wish to have these single versions in their collections. As for "Grace Kelly", I recall a different cut of the video with an exclusive intro featuring an acoustic cut of the track playing. However, that intro is not featured here, and the video starts right at the "I wanna talk to you..." vocal.
The sticker on the front of the package states that the disc features 5 acoustic live performances. Unfortunately, Universal was not quite that generous with this release. Still, I'm not complaining! Featured are 3 brilliant acoustic takes, including his first live television performance ("Grace Kelly" at 'Later With Jools Holand'); an exclusive cover of Nilsson's "Everybody's Talkin'" (I love his vocal take on this one!); and an over-the-top acoustic version of "Love Today". These acoustic versions again only showcase Mika's enormous talent both in vocal range and in performance. He really is a flawless performer! My only complaint here is that more acoustic cuts weren't included.
The documentary clocks in at about 52 minutes, givings fans access to exclusive interviews, performances, and footage.
Highly recommended!


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Mika's offering, Live In Cartoon Motion, captures the star at his show stopping best, thrilling a sold-out audience of 4,000 fans at France's famed L'Olympia venue.Mika's Live In Cartoon Motion marks the first time the energetic star's lively show has been filmed in its entirety.Directed by Matt Askem (David Bowie, Paul Weller,) it captures Mika's flamboyant stage presence, with the star performing most of the songs from his 3 million selling worldwide debut album Life In Cartoon Motion, including "Relax, Take It Easy," "Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)," and the global chart-topping "Grace Kelly." Using 10 cameras and shot in high definition, the DVD also features a documentary chronicling Mika's escapades throughout his much heralded world tour, a highly-raved-about romp that the caused San Francisco Chronicle to proclaim the star "an incredible showman."Nominated for two MTV Europe Music Awards earlier this week, the tireless star will tour Europe this fall, returning to his native England for a series of live shows in late November and early December.

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