Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30393 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-07-24
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

The best concert movie of all time?
I imagine you all know the story...50 cameras handed out to the crowd, footage edited, mixed in with the pro shots, some crazy effects added...and so on and so forth.


But let's not forget though that this was a brave - whilst now proven brilliant - move. The Beasties, consistently over the years an energetic, entertaining and more often than not superb live attraction, have never released a live video/dvd before now. Now, in their 40's, this is probably the last chance they have to do so, and my god it couldn't be any better.

In keeping with the band's ideals to do things differently with innovation this DVD captures so much which is great about the Beasties. The sheer style of it....the shots are all well chosen and expertly edited (over a year in time frame) and visually I think the editing really gives a feel to the energy of this gig.

And what a gig. The track listing is near perfect, offering cuts from all 6 studio albums, albeit missing out on the hardcore (which was the same throughout the latest tour). The frenetic shots swarm through the likes Sure Shot and Shake Your Rump (where Ben Stiller can be seen rhyming along to every word), then cleverly slow down in time with the mid-set instrumental break, where the boys come out in 50's wedding style tuxes and play through the mellow grooves of instrumental career highlights such as 94's Sabrosa, and to great effect.

It's not just the songs though. Effects on the likes of Body Movin', where a living graffiti style offers something new, and the black and whiteness of An Open Letter to NYC... everything all plays it's part in this film, from these effects to the aforementioned editing. During Intergalactic, the Beasties make their way into the crowd, with an almost 'I can't believe how good this is!' effect. What's more, the cameras follow MCA, Adrock, Mike D through to the back of the arena, again proof that this film gives such a complete experiance of a gig you probably weren't at.

Other highlights come in the way of Time to Get Ill, where the Beasties are joined by Doug E Fresh, or the crowd singing Paul Revere word for word and the band beaming at their efforts. All special moments from what had to be an incredible show. All these individual moments make up something which go's back to the general idea. The cool idea of the fans being so involved, and the boys putting so much trust in such spontaneous film making.

By closer Sabotage, it feels like you've witnessed an event, from the early shots of the band making their way on stage and the fans being told to keep on filming, right through to Ben Stiller proclaiming the show as one of the best he's been to in the end credits. Obviously, I'm a fan...but I imagine you are too if you're reading this, and trust me, if you like the Beastie Boys then this is essential.

The extras offer a chance to switch between some of the cameras, take detours at certain points in the concert (which is all explained in the DVD manual), listen to the mic's acapella...they're all above anyway I think. I'm not too sure about the David Cross portrayal of Hornblower, but the BBQ extra really made me laugh a few times. The exclusive Shazam! video allows you to switch audio and angles during playback (in line with the Criterion DVD). For me though, there could have been no extras and I still would have loved this concert film. One of the best things ever to come from one of the best bands over the last 20 years.

Awesome! I've Just Preordered That!
On October 9th 2004, The Beastie Boys played Madison Square Gardens. Nothing unusual in that. However, 50 fans were picked out at random, and given a hi-8 camera and told to just shoot. This is a document of that night...

... OK, that's a brief description. Now here's the review. Having seen this last night on a limited release, this is as close as you'll get to a live concert on DVD, capturing the sights, sounds and indeed, smells of a gig. The footage is grainy and shaky (that's hi8 for you), but is mixed in with professionally shot footage, interestingly cut to the music, and often treated and disotorted to suit the song.

The fans doing the shooting are obviously enjoying themselves - it shows in the camerawork and what they've actually decided to shoot - the gig itself, buying a beer, people dancing or snogging in the crowd, vox pops after the gig. Two fans even decide to take this to the extreme - one trying to break into the dressing room, another going to the toilet!

The actual set is good, covering the highs of their careers, even through it's based around their last album, the disappointing "To The Five Boroughs". An instrumental set on a parade float was a highpoint, proving that The B-Boys can't just rap, they can rock. Despite being in the game for 20 years, they still, refreshingly refuse to take themselves seriously - the film starts with the title sequence from DePalma's "Scarface".

An essential purchase for anyone interested in music, especially fans.

the closest you can come to actually being there...
shot by 50 fans using camcorders from different vantage points around madison square garden, this film of the gig is exceptional. as well as seeing a full beasties gig in all its glory, you also get the full atmosphere of the concert, from fans dancing, visiting the loo, talking to the staff, and even backstage footage of the band. this footage has been edited to perfection, i guarantee that you will be dancing and cheering along with the audience, a must buy for any beastie fan.