Rattle and Hum is a great movie for both hardcore and casual U2 fans. It's an interesting look at U2's musical exploration in the late '80s, and for younger U2 fans, like me, it's almost a way to experience The Joshua Tree tour. Seeing footage of some of their most popular and biggest songs being performed live is both fascinating and enthralling. U2 is probably the best live band still around today, and seeing them where they are most at home, on stage, is an experience in itself. Emotion is a big factor when it comes to their music, and you can feel it throughout the film. The black and white footage adds a nice touch of rawness, of sincerity. And although Rattle and Hum is essentially a concert film, it's also a glimpse at U2's growing maturity as a band.
Rattle and Hum is a fun, fascinating, intense U2 experience. It's quite funny at times--like the first, hilariously awkward interview at the beginning of the movie--but it's also very serious. I think that the most powerful performance in the movie is Sunday Bloody Sunday. Bono's angry, outraged speech both before and during the song are stunning. I was left both in shock and awe at the sincerity and absolute frustration the band displays while they perform it....it's sure to give you goosebumps.
My only complaint--and a minor one at that--was the shortage of interviews, but I can understand why they might have left it out to make room for more songs. So even if you're only a casual fan of U2, you should see Rattle and Hum. It's powerful, entertaining, and interesting. It's a look back at a much younger U2 (you might even laugh at both Bono and The Edge's hair, and at Adam Clayton's birdlime strut on stage) and a good one at that. To quote Larry Mullen Jr., "It's a musical journey."
Rattle and Hum is a fun, fascinating, intense U2 experience. It's quite funny at times--like the first, hilariously awkward interview at the beginning of the movie--but it's also very serious. I think that the most powerful performance in the movie is Sunday Bloody Sunday. Bono's angry, outraged speech both before and during the song are stunning. I was left both in shock and awe at the sincerity and absolute frustration the band displays while they perform it....it's sure to give you goosebumps.
My only complaint--and a minor one at that--was the shortage of interviews, but I can understand why they might have left it out to make room for more songs. So even if you're only a casual fan of U2, you should see Rattle and Hum. It's powerful, entertaining, and interesting. It's a look back at a much younger U2 (you might even laugh at both Bono and The Edge's hair, and at Adam Clayton's birdlime strut on stage) and a good one at that. To quote Larry Mullen Jr., "It's a musical journey."