For several years I have been a huge fan of both the band and Scorsese, and eever since I got into Scorsese (which happened after I got into The Stones), I was longing for a collaboration between the two that involved more than Marty using thier music as a backdrop to his films. When… More
For several years I have been a huge fan of both the band and Scorsese, and eever since I got into Scorsese (which happened after I got into The Stones), I was longing for a collaboration between the two that involved more than Marty using thier music as a backdrop to his films. When I first heard about this film, I basically creamed myself (for lack of a better phrase). Finally. A true collaboration. However, before I continue the review, a brief departure. I was fortunate enough to get to see the Rolling Stoens perform in St. Louis in 2006. It was an incredible experience, and one that I'll probably never get to replicate ever again. Ok, here's why I told you that. As awesome as it was for the Stoens and Scorsese to finally collaborate in a proper way, it was unsatisfying for me. Granted, this film is really, really good, but it could have been great. Seeign this flm just can't compare with seeing the band in person, even if they are in their 60's. First, a few more gripes (minor as they are, they are still enough to prevent a 5-star rating). I wanna say that I'm ok with the fact that it's PG-13, but I'm not, especially because of the fact that in order to get a PG-13 (for whatever reason) censorship was needed. Why the hell was the 'black girls' line completely ommitted from "Some Girls", and why was it deemed necessary to remove the line about the Kennedys from "Sympathy for the Devil"? To be fair, they do allow a couple of f-bombs to slip by, but only a couple (two are bleeped-one is from archive footage). Originally the film was rated R for language, and they should have just left it like that. Editing it to get a PG-13, thus allowing for a more commercially friendly film is stupid. Especially when it involves the Rolling Stones. These guys are legends. No matter what it's rated, it's gonna be commercially succesful, even if it's Rated R. Another gripe: the performances of their bigger and more well-known hits are a let-down, especially "Sympathy for the Devil" (and not because of the censorship, either). The best performances are the not as well known songs like "Far Away Eyes", "You got the Silver", and the spectacular, show stoppng cover of Muddy Waters' "Champagne and Reefer", done with a little help from blues legend Buddy Guy. Of the bigger hits though, "Brown Sugar", and "Start Me Up" (even though that songs annoys me a lot) are great. "Jumping Jack Flash" is decent, but I've heard better versions. Ok, time for the positives. The aformentioned Buddy Guy guest appearance is definitely at the top. Christina Aguilera (surprisingly) holds her own and also almost manages to steal the show. Jack White's guest appearance is good, but he seems a bit too star struck. The use of well-chosen and equally well-placed archive footage throughout is superb. The archive footage manages to flow with the concert, and works with it, not against it. The opening segment involving the planning and backstage preparation for the show might bore people who are solely Stones fans, and not also hardcore film fans, but I loved it. It was cool getting to see the hard work that goes into a product like this, and it's funny as hell, too. I haven't yet seen "The Last Waltz" *gasp*! I know, I know, it's shocking. However, even though I haven't seen it, I know that it's superior based on what I've read and heard. In watching Shine a Light though, I can tell that Marty wasn't trying to top his earlier work. No, with this, he was just trying to have fun, and showcase that, even though The Rolling Stones should have reitred years ago, they can still rock really hard, despite their ages. Both he and the band succeed, and despite the films problems, it's still really good, as is the set (even though they've had better sets in the past), and that is why I gave it at least a 4 star rating, despite the gripes I have with it. My bias for both Marty and the band is while I inflated it. Overall ,the film doesn't disappoint. I was slightly let down, but that was just for personal reasons. Don't let things like that keep you from enjoying this glorious celebration of great music and great filmmaking.