The title of the following Summary is probably one that has been asked regarding many a rock film, such as The Song Remains the Same, The Last Waltz, or even A Hard Day's Night or Help! (although with the fictional pretexts and the plots alone, those last two might not qualify as standard "rock films") could easily be in the running for such a title.
However, the reason I would put it at No.1 is the way it flows. In a sense, it flows like a great rock concert. Now, this film consists of scenes from several rock concerts, along with scattered interviews and specially filmed sequences scattered throughout. Jeff Stein, the director, along with "Eddie the Editor" Rothkowitz, brought the various scenes and concert excerpts together in such a way that it's not as much a documentary, but a series of short subjects that somehow come together as one huge visual experience. Musically, The Kids Are Alright is filled with many effective "one-two punches," and very little filler to distract an audience's attention. This movie came right on the heels of MTV and the concept of "music video" had barely been invented, but Stein and Co. had a handle on it long before the folks at MTV hired their first VJ.
From the start, the first one-two punch of "My Generation" from The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, coupled with "I Can't Explain," from the last Shindig installment, grabs any viewer, even one who may not be a fan of the band, alerting him/her to be prepared to enjoy a wild visual and musical ride. Other one-two punches in this extraordinary film include a reprise of "My Generation" (from the Monterey Pop Festival)/"Won't Get Fooled Again" (from Shepperton Studios), "Pinball Wizard"/"See Me, Feel Me (Listening to You)" (both from Woodstock), and "Barbara Ann" (from Shepperton rehearsals)/"Sparks" (from Woodstock). There are many others, often inter cut with brief "sound bites" from interviews and various television appearances. It all adds up to something transcending a strict documentary or concert film.
The improvements the DVD has over the previous video releases are nothing short of astounding. The sound has been brought more than up-to-speed, with every moment of the film possessing a clarity that just did not exist at all in any edition before this, even the laser disc edition. Elements that had been missing from the film since its initial video release have been restored (including the full, majestic "A Quick One, While He's Away" from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus) to near pristine quality. All the visual flaws have been corrected and the various speed and film stock disparities have been removed and/or improved upon.
I know it's my humble opinion, and everybody has different ones (which is as it should be), but even now, after seeing The Kids Are Alright many, many times, the film still grabs my attention and doesn't let it go until the final credit rolls off of the screen. Yes, this is the greatest rock film ever made, humble opinion or not. Check it out and see if it doesn't do to you at least a little bit of what it does to me. You'll be surprised.
However, the reason I would put it at No.1 is the way it flows. In a sense, it flows like a great rock concert. Now, this film consists of scenes from several rock concerts, along with scattered interviews and specially filmed sequences scattered throughout. Jeff Stein, the director, along with "Eddie the Editor" Rothkowitz, brought the various scenes and concert excerpts together in such a way that it's not as much a documentary, but a series of short subjects that somehow come together as one huge visual experience. Musically, The Kids Are Alright is filled with many effective "one-two punches," and very little filler to distract an audience's attention. This movie came right on the heels of MTV and the concept of "music video" had barely been invented, but Stein and Co. had a handle on it long before the folks at MTV hired their first VJ.
From the start, the first one-two punch of "My Generation" from The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, coupled with "I Can't Explain," from the last Shindig installment, grabs any viewer, even one who may not be a fan of the band, alerting him/her to be prepared to enjoy a wild visual and musical ride. Other one-two punches in this extraordinary film include a reprise of "My Generation" (from the Monterey Pop Festival)/"Won't Get Fooled Again" (from Shepperton Studios), "Pinball Wizard"/"See Me, Feel Me (Listening to You)" (both from Woodstock), and "Barbara Ann" (from Shepperton rehearsals)/"Sparks" (from Woodstock). There are many others, often inter cut with brief "sound bites" from interviews and various television appearances. It all adds up to something transcending a strict documentary or concert film.
The improvements the DVD has over the previous video releases are nothing short of astounding. The sound has been brought more than up-to-speed, with every moment of the film possessing a clarity that just did not exist at all in any edition before this, even the laser disc edition. Elements that had been missing from the film since its initial video release have been restored (including the full, majestic "A Quick One, While He's Away" from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus) to near pristine quality. All the visual flaws have been corrected and the various speed and film stock disparities have been removed and/or improved upon.
I know it's my humble opinion, and everybody has different ones (which is as it should be), but even now, after seeing The Kids Are Alright many, many times, the film still grabs my attention and doesn't let it go until the final credit rolls off of the screen. Yes, this is the greatest rock film ever made, humble opinion or not. Check it out and see if it doesn't do to you at least a little bit of what it does to me. You'll be surprised.