U2 Album: “U2 Phenomenon: The Independent Review”

There is plenty to recommend about this latest entry into the "Unauthorized/Independent/Critical Review" DVD series but much to dislike. On the positive side, there IS indeed footage of U2 on this disc. You WILL hear and see them. Not entire songs or anything (don't get excited) and all of the footage is live footage but still at least you'll get some idea of what all these taking heads on the DVD are raving about. There's even footage from Live Aid (I wonder if Bob Geldof knows anything about this!).

With the exception of Zoo TV DJ and U2 "friend" BP Fallon, none of the other journalists and rock scribes offer up any new information about the band and you might find yourself wanting to reach into the television and slap them silly at the banality of their comments. Sadly, this film is all over the place. You'll see Zoo TV footage onscreen when the narrator is speaking about the early 80's and so on. This DVD would've been much more effective had they kept it in chronological order but provided you are a U2 fan, you'll be able to get your bearings. I have to admit the production values are top notch or at least on par with anything currently airing on VH1. There's even a comely female host who looks and sounds like a pro even though I've never heard of her.

Until U2 themselves sanction their own in-house documentary (and that's something that's long overdue) we'll just have to make do with this for now.

Better than that complete ripoff DVD "Unforgettable Journey", but still pretty lame. Once again there are a bunch of no names providing their brilliant insights. Who are these people and why do I watch them for an hour talking about U2? I particularly liked it when one guy, some unknown local musician, said that he liked Joshua Tree the best because that was BEFORE THEY GOT INTO ALL THAT POLITICAL STUFF? What, are you joking? There's a bunch of other no names, the only one of reasonable notariety is BP Fallon, but he's about as boring to watch as paint drying. He speaks so slowly and deliberately its like he has a speak impediment without the stutter. You get frustrated just waiting for him to complete a simple thought. Overall, the women who ran the video and interviews is not bad and its worth a one-time watch. At least there is some footage and music. But borrow this one if you can.