If you haven't seen the Stones, you've got to see the Stones and this film is a good way to do it. But not, as some would have you believe, a great way. It's just a concert film, nothing more nothing less. I don't care who supposedly directed it - exactly what directing is required for a performance on a stage at a theater? Concert films are made by the choices the camera operators make, and then the choices the editor makes in post. This could have been a Billy Jo Jenkins production, for all that we see of the magic Marty's touch. Marty's bit in the opening is amusing, but his faux bit at the end is egotistical and unnecessary (nice special effects, though).
For someone like me who's only a medium Stones fan, it turns out I've seen a lot of Stones films and frankly, they succeed or fail depending on how well the show is that night. For example, I'm holding in my hands an HBO in-concert performance by the Stones at MSG and it's directed by one Marty Callner. I don't know who Marty is, he might have a long and storied career or not, but this show kicks arse and it's not because of who was directing -- The Stones were ON that night. And the earlier IMAX film done back in the early '90s found our boys in much livelier and younger form. Watching Shine A Light, if you've seen much Jagger before, you can tell he's very tense. Not having a good time at all. God bless the guy, he has amazing moves, but he's not in the best voice and he doesn't address the audience at all. Barely acknowledges them, as if he were all caught up in the "importance" of what he is up to. Keith, well he's always Keith and what a hoot. As noted in other comments, you sense that there's a support team behind the main players but you only rarely see them. Chuck Leavell does OK but nothing special, Bobby Keyes God bless him just lives for the moment he can play his Brown Sugar solo, in fact he was so eager he starts to play it in Live with Me. Cristina A. adds nothing to the show but some T&A, she doesn't sing so much as wail and might as well be doing her Lady Marmalade music video over again. Jack White does yeoman service, and of course Buddy Guy is a legend so he can do no wrong.
If you're a fan of the Some Girls era of the Stones, prepare to be disappointed. Shattered is lazy and sloppy, Some Girls is moderately interesting but Jagger took out the line about black girls, and Far Away Eyes is a throwaway. It's interesting to note that for several songs Jagger has a guitar slung over his shoulders, not because he adds anything to the show with it, but because after all these years he's finally realized that the coolest guy on stage is the guitar slinger (i.e., Keith). Poor Charlie is a great drummer and does his usual fine job, but away from the drum kit he seems like a doddering old pensioner. And I swear one of the backup singers is really Lou Reed moonlighting for the night.
So see it and enjoy it, but it won't change your life or the way you already feel about Mick and the gang. about the Stones.
For someone like me who's only a medium Stones fan, it turns out I've seen a lot of Stones films and frankly, they succeed or fail depending on how well the show is that night. For example, I'm holding in my hands an HBO in-concert performance by the Stones at MSG and it's directed by one Marty Callner. I don't know who Marty is, he might have a long and storied career or not, but this show kicks arse and it's not because of who was directing -- The Stones were ON that night. And the earlier IMAX film done back in the early '90s found our boys in much livelier and younger form. Watching Shine A Light, if you've seen much Jagger before, you can tell he's very tense. Not having a good time at all. God bless the guy, he has amazing moves, but he's not in the best voice and he doesn't address the audience at all. Barely acknowledges them, as if he were all caught up in the "importance" of what he is up to. Keith, well he's always Keith and what a hoot. As noted in other comments, you sense that there's a support team behind the main players but you only rarely see them. Chuck Leavell does OK but nothing special, Bobby Keyes God bless him just lives for the moment he can play his Brown Sugar solo, in fact he was so eager he starts to play it in Live with Me. Cristina A. adds nothing to the show but some T&A, she doesn't sing so much as wail and might as well be doing her Lady Marmalade music video over again. Jack White does yeoman service, and of course Buddy Guy is a legend so he can do no wrong.
If you're a fan of the Some Girls era of the Stones, prepare to be disappointed. Shattered is lazy and sloppy, Some Girls is moderately interesting but Jagger took out the line about black girls, and Far Away Eyes is a throwaway. It's interesting to note that for several songs Jagger has a guitar slung over his shoulders, not because he adds anything to the show with it, but because after all these years he's finally realized that the coolest guy on stage is the guitar slinger (i.e., Keith). Poor Charlie is a great drummer and does his usual fine job, but away from the drum kit he seems like a doddering old pensioner. And I swear one of the backup singers is really Lou Reed moonlighting for the night.
So see it and enjoy it, but it won't change your life or the way you already feel about Mick and the gang. about the Stones.