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 Rated: PG-13
Shine A Light documents a
remarkable stage performance by the longest-lived continuously active group in
rock and roll history. The legendary
Martin Scorsese did not only direct the movie concert, but used academy award-winning cinematographers to bring it to the screen.Â
Taking shots of the group from every angel
imaginable, the concert becomes a personal tribute to each of the remaining
members of the world-famous musical group.
I was in awe throughout the
two-hour concert with the mix of number one chart crushers, as well as some of the
Stones' less-known tunes, played with perfection.
Mick Jagger strutted and pranced around the stage while Keith Richards
and Ron Wood played their guitars as if they were in their 20s again. Banging the drum, Charlie Watts still out
does most of the youngsters in the business today, and he’s the eldest of the
group. Thinking about it right now, I still feel the energy that came from the screen.
All in their 60s, the combined ages of the four remaining Stones is 253 years.
The Stones lost two of their members, Brian Jones in 1968 and Mick
Taylor in 1975, bringing Ron Wood into the group making it what it is
today. The music has not changed, nor
have the stage antics, it’s still the leggy Jagger and the pirate Richards
getting all the attention, and deservedly so.
Although the film does not show a
great deal of the groups past, several of the most comical incidents and
interviews are flashed on the screen between a few of their songs. Director Scorsese is a stitch trying to
control Jagger and get him to understand that making a movie with 18 cameras
can be a little unwieldy, especially if they have to string some on them on
cables that cross in front of the stage.
To get the job done, Scorsese hired the best cinematographers, including
academy award-winners, John Toll (Braveheart) to helm the film and
Robert Richardson (The Aviator and JFK) to keep all the camera
operators in sync. It was an amazing
feat in the relatively small venue, but they got every conceivable close-up and
all the stage action.
The winning aspect of this compilation goes to the sound mixer,
Bob Clearmountain, who captured every note from the orchestra, background
singers and the audience’s reactions during the incredible night at the Beacon
Theatre.
FINAL ANALYSIS: You
don’t have to be a Rock and Roll or a Stone’s fan to enjoy this high-energy
concert. I highly recommend the IMAX
experience, but either way, Shine A Light is a blast.
This Reviewer's Rating:   4.5 / 5Â
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