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(More customer reviews)First, let me start by saying this: if you're not already a fan of the Beastie Boys, this DVD is not going to convert you. Usually, that kind of statement is a cop-out reserved for defending a poor live performance, but in this case, it simply is what it is. If you're one of those people who either A) doesn't like hip-hop, or B) doesn't like "doo-doo rhymes" (elaborately constructed rhymes consisting of ridiculous non-sequiturs, Dada surrealism, and absurdist goofiness delivered for the sole purpose of putting a big, stupid grin on your face), you are never going to like the Beastie Boys...ever. And when you see the manic energy of both the crowd and the boys themselves, as well as the reciprocal love, you're simply going to wonder what all of the fuss is about. I'm not about to give you any of that "You have to see them live" business that die-hards will often trot out to defend lackluster albums. Seeing them live won't change anything. You either like the Beasties or you don't. Period. End of discussion.
That said, on to the DVD itself. Quite simply, this is what Beastie Boys fans have been waiting on for a long time: a full-length concert. Why it has taken so long is anybody's guess, but that may actually be a good thing - now that they have so many great songs (many of which are bona-fide hits) to chose from, the set list is a lot fuller than it might have been at an earlier point in their career. Oddly, their biggest hits are MIA; they're obviously so sick to death of "Fight For Your Right to Party" and "No Sleep `Til Brooklyn" that they're apparently refusing to play them anymore. For some people, this will be a deal-breaker; but that's too bad, because they honestly aren't missed. And the rest of the playlist is superb. Now on to the specifics:
Audio: This is a soundboard recording with a full, well-defined 5.1 mix. This is live hip-hop, so don't go in expecting chamber music, but it sounds good to me, and I consider myself an audiophile.
Video: This is where there is going to be the most controversy. In one corner you have the older generation of performance footage fans who grew up watching "videos" of `50's, `60's, and `70's artists playing live. At that time, there were typically three cameras: one at stage right, one at center stage, and one at stage left. The center stage camera did most of the work, and the pans were long, the cuts infrequent, and the fades slow. If you grew up in this generation, chances are you're not into the Beastie Boys, but if you're one of those rare exceptions of boomers who listen to hip-hop, chances are even greater that you're still going to hate watching this DVD. In fact, there are going to be children of the `80's who can't watch this performance. This kind of video style (literally more cuts and pans per second than most older footage has per minute) is geared for a generation that possesses, in the words of Dennis Miller, "the attention-span of a ferret on a double-espresso." And if you have any adverse reactions (epilepsy, etc.) to strobe lights, this DVD is out of the question. But I personally think they made the right choice. As my girlfriend and I were watching this show, we were amazed at how the DVD captured the energy of the live performance itself better than most DVDs we've seen, and I honestly don't think that could have been achieved with a more traditional style. I also like the fact that they mixed in hand-held Super-8 camcorder footage (a la Blair Witch) with professional filming equipment; again, it added to the rough, live feel of the show. Finally, some people may not like the fact that the concert cuts away to follow people getting beer, going to the restroom, etc., but it really puts you there, and the way it's edited, you don't really miss any of the show. They even follow the Beastie Boys around between the final song of the regular set and the encore. In case you've ever wondered what bands do during those minutes, at least with the Beastie Boys, now you know (mainly a lot of running).
I've seen the Beastie Boys twice, and this is as close as you can get to what it's like actually being there. Overall, if you're a fan, this DVD is not merely recommended; it is essential.
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