Blu-Ray Review: ‘It Might Get Loud’ Climbs Stairway to Rock Heaven

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

CHICAGO – “It Might Get Loud” might not be the great rock documentary fans were hoping for, but it’s still quintessential viewing for anyone mesmerized by the visceral power of the electric guitar.

Director Davis Guggenheim’s last documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” won him an Oscar, though it primarily consisted of Al Gore’s PowerPoint presentation on global warming. Here, Guggenheim attempts to stage an unscripted (and hopefully landmark) meeting between three iconic guitarists. After conducting one-on-one audio interviews with each of them, the director used their words to build the sprawling, episodic structure for his film. He seamlessly weaves together the stories of Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), The Edge (U2) and Jack White (The White Stripes), who each represent a different era in rock history.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

The film basically amounts to an extended jam session between three of the most influential figures in modern music. Rock purists may bicker about the pairing of these particular artists, yet the film does a solid job highlighting and contrasting their similar strengths and characteristics. For example, Page and White are both heavily influenced by the blues, while The Edge and White are both skilled vocalists (when the two break out into song, Page laughs, “Can’t sing, sorry!”). The Edge relies on the manipulation of sound to achieve his desired music, while White believes that “technology is a destroyer of truth.” One of the film’s best scenes comes right at the beginning, as White assembles a homemade guitar out of a two-by-four, a coke bottle and some string.

It Might Get Loud was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on December 22nd, 2009.
It Might Get Loud was released on Blu-Ray and DVD on December 22nd, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Editor Greg Finton expertly blends three journeys of artistic discovery and evolution, while using archival footage to flesh out the rock scene during each man’s generation. He also unearths priceless performances from Page and The Edge when they were both still kids. The cinematography by Guillermo Navarro and Erich Roland captures memorable images of each performer, illuminating their distinctive philosophies. Page infuses his rhythms with a sexual energy that the camera captures in sensuous close-up, along with the provocative curves of his guitar. White’s views of music as a violent struggle are epitomized by the moment when his bloodied hand continues to rock out, leaving scarlet stains on his prized instrument. His trademark childlike aesthetic adds a touch of surrealism to the proceedings, as White is occasionally seen accompanied by his “younger self.”

There are plenty of memorable moments in the picture, many of which are understated. It’s downright magical to witness Page falling under the spell of Link Wray’s “Rumble,” or The Edge walking through the classroom where he met his lifelong bandmates, or White expressing his undying love for Son House’s “Death Letter Blues.” With their fierce passion, unyielding commitment and reverent feelings toward their melodic weapon of choice, these musicians resemble nothing less than guitar-wielding samurais.

Yet when they finally get the opportunity to play together, the resulting performance doesn’t quite set off the expected fireworks. The entire film could’ve benefitted from more music, and perhaps more narrative focus. Yet as it stands, “It Might Get Loud” offers music lovers an irresistible opportunity to hang out with three of the coolest cats around. It’s a pleasure simply to share their company and bask in the exuberance of their artistic drive. It’s so good, in fact, that I suggest a sequel: “It Should Get Louder.”

“It Might Get Loud” is presented in 1080p High Definition (with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio), and accompanied by English, Spanish and Portuguese audio tracks. The disc is loaded with first-rate extras, including an audio commentary with Guggenheim and producers Thomas Tull (“The Dark Knight”) and Leslie Chilcott (“An Inconvenient Truth”). The filmmaking trio is joined by their three formidable subjects for a 40-minute press conference at the Toronto Film Festival, where the director explains how his experience interviewing Al Gore prepared him for this film. Music buffs will appreciate the disc’s 26 minutes of deleted scenes (featuring additional performance footage), as well as the BD-Live feature “movieIQ,” which allows viewers to bookmark songs and email them as a customized playlist.

‘It Might Get Loud’ is released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and features The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White. It was directed by Davis Guggenheim. It was released on December 22nd, 2009. It is rated PG.

HollywoodChicago.com staff writer Matt Fagerholm

By MATT FAGERHOLM
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
matt@hollywoodchicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
referendum
tracker