Home :: DVD :: Music Video & Concerts :: Documentary  

Biography
Blues
Classic Rock
Concerts
Country
Documentary

DVD Singles
General
Hard Rock & Metal
Jazz
New Age
Other Music
Pop
Rap & Hip-Hop
Rock & Roll
Series
World Music
Classic Albums - U2: The Joshua Tree

Classic Albums - U2: The Joshua Tree

List Price: $9.99
Your Price: $9.99
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 2 3 4 5 >>

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: To paraphrase Mark Twain...
Review: ...I don't think that it's really very proper for the Amazon reviewer to write "An outstanding entry in the Classic Albums video series..." without having first watched it. I got this a couple of months ago as part of the 3-pack (along with discs on Steely Dan and Phil Collins), watched it then, wasn't impressed, set back for a while, watched it again, and was even less impressed. I grew up with U2's music and like the band and the album (though it seems rather aged now), but would in general agree with the comments that the people in charge of this production didn't make much out of the good content.

For example, the specific skipping over of "One Tree Hill" has already been noted, but this is downright silly given the fact that the entire video of "Sweetest Thing" is included on this DVD even though that's NOT a song on the album! I know, I know -- they explain to you that it was written/recorded during the same period. That doesn't make it any more reasonable, however, to include it here while excluding a better song that did in fact appear on the album. And this is tacked on as an afterthought as if to fill space at the end, hot on the heels of another such waste of space: a lengthy live performance of "Running to Stand Still." Guess what: the Joshua Tree was not a live album. Why is a live performance taking up so much room on a video about it, then? The discussions of how things went in the studio and the musical process, which is supposedly what this video should be about, are much more interesting.

On the positive side, those definitely are interesting, although more use could certainly have been made here of such luminaries as Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, who are always interesting to listen to. Adam Clayton is nowhere to be seen, however, and precious little is heard from Larry Mullen, Jr, although a lot is heard ABOUT him, making his absence on the disc even stranger. Not much is heard from Edge, either. A lot of the spaces devoted to longish excerpts of videos readily viewable elsewhere ("Where the Streets Have No Name", for example) would better have been left to video compilations so that more comments and insight might have been offered. Some greater attention to detail should have been paid to sequencing/editing issues with the music, as well, as scenes in the studio and videos are spliced together not only in odd ways rhythmically but also in at least one ear-bending case ("With or Without You") also tonally, with the video being significantly higher pitched than what is heard in the studio discussion of the same track, even though both would surely have come from the original recording.

The disc on Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" in this same series does a much more exemplary job with both that sort of detail and with the content in general. As it is I think this disc will be loved by the U2 faithful, who will love all things U2, but will be less than satisfactory to those more objective about what's here and how it's put together.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Not worth the MONEY
Review: After watching the Joshua Tree DVD I thought it was a bit of a rip off. Your money is a lot better off spent on the Rattle and Hum DVD which is Fantastic. The Joshua Tree DVD is more in the $9.99 class than $25.00. The Joshua Tree DVD I got the video portion kept cutting in and out.
U2 is still the Greatest band ever but don't waste your money on this DVD.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is a must for U2 fans
Review: As a long-time die-hard U2 fan, I had heard that this video would be an interesting addition to any collection. I just got it for Christmas, and now that I've watched it, I wish it had come out sooner!

This is a fabulous overview of the processes and thoughts behind the creation of U2's mega-hit The Joshua Tree. What you have is a series of sit-down interviews with the members of the band, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, Flood, Anton Corbjin, Paul McGuinness...just about everyone that had a hand in the process. Perhaps the most interesting bits are when Bono and Lanois and Edge are behind the mixing desk and they are adding in and cutting out the various tracks of a few songs that did or didn't make the final versions. It is extremely interesting to hear how the songs began and how they ended up. Plus, the background stories on the songs were interesting along with the original hunches on how a song would be received or performed.

I found this video highly enjoyable and I certainly learned a lot. I do wish though that it was longer and covered more of the songs off of this magical album!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A BIT DISSAPPOINTED
Review: As much as I appreciate the insights about the members of U2 and the making of the songs, I was actually expecting more singing on the DVD and less talking, just like in the CD but with visuals. If there is another DVD (still Joshua Tree though) with more singing and less talking please let me know and I will buy it immediately.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Poor
Review: Doesnt have the full videos, a waste of money

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: U2 one of the best worldwide groups
Review: Filmed around the same time that U2 had put together a 'Best of 1980-1990', this "documentary" is suprisingly good. Producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno and members of the band provide fascinating insights and stories behind the songs on what is considered by many to be their strongest record. The weaknesses - there is no commentary on three songs on 'The Joshua Tree', "One Tree Hill", "In God's Country", and "Trip Through Your Wires" and the awkward inclusion of the full video versions of "The Sweetest Thing" (remixed in 1998) and "Running to Stand Still" (circa 1993 Zoo TV).

Having read the book "Until the End of the World", I hope they take a second try at this format with the making of their other classic, 'Achtung Baby'.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Suprisingly good documentary on making of classic record
Review: Filmed around the same time that U2 had put together a 'Best of 1980-1990', this "documentary" is suprisingly good. Producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno and members of the band provide fascinating insights and stories behind the songs on what is considered by many to be their strongest record. The weaknesses - there is no commentary on three songs on 'The Joshua Tree', "One Tree Hill", "In God's Country", and "Trip Through Your Wires" and the awkward inclusion of the full video versions of "The Sweetest Thing" (remixed in 1998) and "Running to Stand Still" (circa 1993 Zoo TV).

Having read the book "Until the End of the World", I hope they take a second try at this format with the making of their other classic, 'Achtung Baby'.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fascinating insight
Review: For anyone interested in how this amazing album was created, this DVD is for you. This documentary is fascinating, showing the band and their producers playing back the original mixes of classic songs such as With or Without You and Bullet The Blue Sky, bringing up different parts of the songs and bringing others down to hear all the different voices and instruments that make them. And all the rememberances by the band is priceless stuff, the moments and happy accidents that made the album the classic it is today.

I agree that it is too short, but what we do get is great.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Oppsss ... there is no videos !!!!!
Review: Hi, When I buy this DVD, I expect see and hear the great sound of U2, but .... this haven't videos.. only an "back cameras" about how was made the album.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A musical DVD without music
Review: I am a huge U2 fan and couldn't wait to get this DVD. The major problem with it is that the Actual songs from the album are not on the DVD. It would have been appropriate to include the music videos along with the great doc footage.


<< 1 2 3 4 5 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates