Blu-ray Review: Shine A Light

DVD Reviews

By Patrick Luce Jul 30, 2008, 0:09 GMT

One of the greatest rock bands in history team with one of Hollywood’s greatest directors for Shine A Light, and it looks even better on Blu-ray.

Martin Scorsese shoots The Rolling Stones in concert and blends classic interview footage between songs. The result is a concert film that makes you feel like you are on the front row mixed with footage that takes you inside the minds of the Stones documentary style.

The vintage interviews with the band demonstrate how they enjoy performing and how they never expected to still be rocking at this age. While it adds to the film, towards the end of the concert I found find it a bit of a distraction and wanted to get back to the music. The film records the Stones performing at a 2006 benefit in New York City that was hosted by Bill and Hilary Clinton. It kicks off with a look at the chaotic world of the Stones and how that world is going to clash with a somewhat frazzled Martin Scorsese – who is going nuts trying to get a final set list from the band.Scorsese also has to deal with some of the band’s stage demands, Mick Jagger asking not to use cameras that will annoy the audience and the band, and Keith Richards suggesting a camera be placed inside Charlie Watt’s drum for a unique look. All this build-up gives you a few laughs as the frustrated director is finally handed his set list right as the band burst on stage rocking “Jumping Jack Flash.”I have been a fan of The Rolling Stones for years, but have never seen them in concert. After watching this Blu-ray, I feel like I have. Scorsese puts you in the heart of the action and the Stones (looking more than a little weathered in Blu-ray’s crystal clear picture) send their energy straight through the television.

With “Jumping Jack Flash” blasting, I felt my feet tapping and my head shaking just like the people cheering in the audience. For 121 minutes, Jagger, Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Watts demonstrate they can rock just as hard as any band on the road, and also why they are indeed one of the greatest rock bands in history.Scorsese makes sure to give you a film that focuses on the band, and not the people in the audience or those behind the scenes. We get to see Wood and Richards jamming guitar solos on “Shattered” and “Brown Sugar.”It is also clear to see the Stones just really enjoy performing and seem to be having as good a time as the audience. Jagger hams it up for “Faraway Eyes” – which remains one of the funniest songs in the Stones’ catalog. Richards (who spits half smoked cigarettes out of his mouth throughout the film) takes the stage for a few solos (“You Got the Silver” and “Connection”). This gives Jagger a break and Richards a chance to show why is he an icon of rock. Without a guitar in his hand, Richards looked a little out of place while performing “You Got the Silver” and even lost at one point. He still delivered a killer performance.Shine A Light also features some of the Stones’ songs that aren’t known as their biggest hits – and even skips some of the songs you felt for sure would be included (such as “Wild Horses” and “Dead Flowers”).

It features some great guest appearances –including Jack White on “Loving Cup” and Christina Aguilera on “Live With Me.” The Jack White duo was ok, but the singer looked a little out of place on the stage with Mick. Aguilera held her own with the slithering Jagger.The Stones seemed to become fans themselves when blues icon Buddy Guy took the stage to join them for “Champagne & Reefer” – which blew the other duets out of the water. Guy’s performance makes you wish he would just become the newest member of The Rolling Stones and stay on the stage for the rest of the film.The band makes sure to end the concert right with “Brown Sugar” and a performance of “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction” that is worth the price of the Blu-ray by itself.The Blu-ray comes with some decent special features including four bonus performances not included in the film – “Paint It Black,” “Undercover of the Night,” “Little T&A,” and “I’m Free.” There is also a behind the scenes feature. It would have been nice to have some commentary as well, but maybe that will be saved for a double-dip. I am not sure if it was just a problem with my review copy, but the Blu-ray continued to “freeze up” on the menu screen whenever I would try to access the Scenes Selection function.Shine A Light is a must have Blu-ray for any fan of The Rolling Stones. The concert is the perfect pairing of film and rock, and the Blu-ray’s picture makes you feel like you are right there.