Critic Reviews

• Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

  On its own terms, "Neil Young Journeys" is an enjoyable concert film of a solo show in Toronto, interspersed with memories of his Canadian boyhood.

• Tom Long, Detroit News

  "Journeys" is simply a trip most need not take.

• Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer

  I'd say the movie does a fine job of completing the trilogy, but I wouldn't be surprised if Demme and Young have more in them yet.

• Paul de Barros, Seattle Times

  The concert camera work is sometimes a little tight for comfort (not really interested in Young's bridge work), though it adds to the intensity.

• Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

  Like Young, Demme often takes an iconoclastic route. This is in part a concert film, yes, but not a traditional one.

• Chris Riemenschneider, Minneapolis Star Tribune

  Forget Crosby, Stills and Nash and maybe even Crazy Horse. Jonathan Demme might be Neil Young's ultimate collaborator.

• David Pollock, The List

  Young's amiable, guard-down chatter as he drives that 1956 Ford Crown Victoria all the way from Omemee to Massey Hall in Toronto establishes a sense of heart and soul ...

• Matt Kelemen, Las Vegas CityLife

  Demme plants a camera on the mic stand so at one point he can present Young's unshaven scowl in extreme close-up, blocking out the gorgeously lighted stage. It's not a pleasant image

• Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

  It's OK. But seriously, how many Neil Young documentaries do we need?

• Allan Hunter, Daily Express

  A mournful documentary that combines footage of Young in concert in Toronto with a bittersweet trip to his childhood home in Omemee in southern Ontario.

• Mike McCahill, Guardian [UK]

  Demme hasn't stopped seeking out new angles on this old warhorse, and even the odd speck of spittle on the lens cannot obscure the fact Young increasingly looks and sounds like one of the all-time greats.

• Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

  Jonathan Demme makes his third concert film with Young, including shots practically right up his nostrils.

• Kevin Harley, Total Film

  If this is raging against the dying of the light, long may he rage.

• Eric Melin, Scene-Stealers.com

  ...too much material drawing from his mediocre Le Noise album and the interview segments where Young drives around Ontario telling stories from his youth are less than revelatory.

• James Plath, Movie Metropolis

  I've seen better concert videos and I've seen better music documentaries. This one is for diehard Neil Young fans.

• Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

  ...just Young and his insinuating voice (which I'm inclined to credit more now than I was 40 years ago), various guitars, harmonica and piano, over which he displays a great and tender command.

• Jim Schembri, 3AW

  Fans of folk rock legend Neil Young who are willing to accept that the guy is well past his prime will respond to the downbeat tone of Jonathan Demme's concert film.

• Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

  The director is putting Young in the audience's lap, allowing the viewer to examine all the creases and crevices of his grizzled face as well as capturing the emotion the singer pours into his songs.

• Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle

  These two world-renowned and individualistic artists from the worlds of music and film clearly bask in each other's company. We, the audience, would be fools to respond otherwise.

• John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

  Long may he run, sure, but 'Neil Young Journeys' has the feeling of a farewell.

Read all 25 critic reviews