March 07, 2008
Rolling Stones Shine a Light in IMAX

Directed by Martin Scorsese

I usually groan when I hear about any new Rolling Stones live product. Although it has pretty much been a tradition since 81 that after every tour there’s going to be a live album and concert video or Dvd. Since we’ve already had a four disc boxset from last year’s most successful tour of all time, A Bigger Bang, I groaned even louder upon hearing about this movie on it’s way. Why? I asked myself.

There came three very good reasons. One, it’s directed by top notch Academy award winning and legendary, Martin Scorsese. Two, it’s in IMAX the same format the Stones used for the Steel Wheels tour movie, Stones at the Max. Three the Stones are still the greatest rock n roll band and in a live setting they blow away any band three times as young. So I give thumbs up to yet another very good Rolling Stones live concert film.

Let’s look at Scorsese’s direction for this film first. It all begins with grainy black and white footage of The Stones and Martin Scorsese preparing and sometimes almost arguing over all the pre-production aspects. Everything from the setlist and construction of the stage is shown. Then there is the meet and greet with Bill and Hilary Clinton. These are all interesting sides of a concert film we don’t see too often. The concert itself is shot with 16 cameras and he is able to be always on the right image to the music. The cinematography for the lighting is great especially the strobe effect on Satisfaction.

Shooting and showing the film in IMAX is a different because it adds a bit more than just showing a standard concert film in 35mm. While the craggy lines on Keith Richards face may not be too appealing in IMAX it’s more about creating a big effect from a small show. Unlike previous concert films or in particular Stones At The max where there’s thousands of lights, huge blow-up dolls, pyrotechnics, and stage sets the size of a city, here we get the Stones on a small stage with no effects to rely on. It’s rock n roll performance in it’s purest form..almost. Scorsese and The Stones have turned two nights at the Beacon theatre in New York into a huge event thanks to IMAX.

Let’s get to the main point, The Rolling Stones. From the opening riff of Jumpin Jack Flash they are on fire. Mick Jagger works the theatre stage like a stadium show. Keith and Ron Wood trade lick after lick and Charlie Watts drums along. It’s great to hear rare songs like She Was Hot or Just My Imagination especially for fans like me who are getting a bit tired of yet another live version of Start Me Up and Brown Sugar. In between songs on the first half of the show Scorsese throws in many older interviews with the band through the years.

Keith Richards does his usual two song slot but with a difference. How about seeing Keith sing You Got The Silver and NOT be playing guitar? His second song Connection is interrupted several times by interviews of him and Ronnie. When asked who’s the better guitar player Ron Wood proudly boasts he is. And it’s true by the way.

There’s three duets as well. One with Jack White of The White Stripes on the excellent Loving Cup. There’s a rocking Christina Aguilera on Live With Me and she’s never looked better. The highlight has to be the vocal and guitar trade off’s with Buddy Guy on Muddy Water’s Champagne And Reefer. One word, smokin’! Keith is so in awe of Buddy Guy he takes off his guitar and gives it to him as an homage to keep.

The only down side to this show is the second song Shattered. It’s a total musical mess. At one point the band members even look at each other almost realizing it. The title of the film Shine A light is a song that is featured as the credits roll. This song is so great it really should have been in the film itself. Also interesting is that no songs from A Bigger Bang (their best alum in over 2o years) are featured. It’s a real disappointment to not have Undercover Of The Night included since it was performed those two nights and has never appeared in any live Cd or concert film.

Another highlight is Jagger walking through the crowd to deliver a dynamite sing along version of Sympathy For The Devil. At times you get tired just watching him work through his dance moves or run around from stage side to side like on Tumbling Dice. To see how great a live band the Rolling Stones still are is an inspiration to every rocker young or old.

Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Shattered
She Was Hot
All Down the Line
Loving Cup * Features Jack White on co-lead vocal
As Tears Go By
Some Girls
Just My Imagination
Far Away Eyes
Champagne & Reefer * Features Buddy Guy
Tumbling Dice
Band introductions
You Got the Silver * Lead vocal by Keith Richards
Connection * Lead vocal by Keith Richards
Sympathy for the Devil
Live With Me* Features Christina Aguilera on co-lead vocal
Start Me Up
Brown Sugar
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

Other POV articles
Previously: Was Hannah Montana Best Of Both Worlds in 3D worth it?
Next: U2 3D

Your Comments