Customer Reviews

Beastie Boys Video Anthology (The Criterion Collection)

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I was fortunate enough to have received an advance copy of this new Beastie Boys DVD release. All I can say is "WOW! CRITERION'S DONE IT AGAIN!". Although I'm not a big fan of their music, this 2-disc set is packed with so much unusual and fun DVD technology that it makes the music quite bearable and wholly entertaining, even to this non-rap fan! I must admit that the Boys are among the most influential video groups of the last two decades, and this DVD release clearly shows why.

This 2-disc anthology fully showcases the potential of DVD technology, with most of the 18 videos containing alternate visual angles (a fun and interesting feature that's almost never used on standard DVDs) and multiple audio tracks. There are hundreds of possible image and sound combinations, including new surround mixes, a cappella versions, and more than 40 remixes by famous DJs and remixers, including many new ones created exclusively for this release. Loaded with never-before-seen footage and unreleased music tracks, this special edition also contains a truckload of rare still photos and exclusive audio commentary by and interview with the band and the video directors. And there's also the world-premiere director's cut of Nathanial Hornblower's "Intergalactic" spin-off "The Robot vs. the Octopus Monster Saga."

According to the DVD case, there are over 100 video angles and audio tracks switchable at any time during playback, for hours of possible image and sound combinations. I know that I've had the DVD set for one week now and I've barely scratched the surface of everything that's available on this.

One final nice touch: they've even included English subtitles for old guys like me (I'm 35) who absolutely cannot make out what they're rapping about!

An unbelievable release! Definitely worthy of the Criterion label.

GET THIS ANTHOLOGY. I don't usually give 5 stars and I'm not crazy about the Beastie Boys but it doesn't matter, this is exceptional. The options available will make you love this 2 disc set. There are tons of remixes, a cappella versions, alternate angles that will take you a LONG time to explore them all. The different remixes alone are worth the price--add all the commentary and videos and you've got an incredible value.

I'm not saying it's perfect. Some subtitles were censored which is ridiculous and the B Boys commentary is a lot of useless talk with the guys just being guys, "I think I lost that shirt" or "That's my sister's cat" and "You look good in that white suit." Some people will love all that trivia but I thought they could've done a better job explaining where they were shooting, who was involved, the ideas, etc. The video directors do a much better job at all that but some were bogus--one in particular was a pre-interview included as commentary over a cell phone that was breaking up--don't worry, you can't tell that the guy can't hear the questions because the sound quality is excellent and he gives a useful commentary--it just felt unprofessional. Especially when the interviewer asked what he was wearing and he said a "diaphanous" "negligee." All in good fun. Other directors were superb, most notably the "Something's Got to Give" commentary explaining the Vietnam shots of nature overlapping with human nature--pristine forests and farms with no signs of military installations or anything being destroyed by U.S. B-52's. But there are storyboards, the photographs, and the more than 40 remixes are timed to match the over 100 videos!--it is so worth it.

This will make a great gift for a lot of people. If you're not sure they like the Beastie Boys but they have a DVD player, get it for them. The layout is very tight, stylishly beautiful and well-designed. It's full-screen format and sound quality is excellent with many different audio options including Dolby surround, 2.0 stereo, commentaries, etc. And of course there are some additional options for Free Tibet information: websites, groups, etc. It took me four hours to get through the first CD because there were so many options and I didn't even finish trying all the different combinations and remixes!

Like so many other fans, I've waited eagerly for this collection to come out. After a few delays, this collection has finally come out. And on DVD! To put it succinctly, the double-DVD set does not disappoint! You have eighteen music videos (9 on each DVD). In addition to the videos, you can create your own video for each song by choosing from many different video angles and track remixes. And you can flip between each angle and track remix for each song! The extra footage and supplements make this collection worthwhile (especially with the Intergalactic spin-off of The Robot vs. The Octopus Monster Saga). The best videos (to view and create) are for "Intergalactic", "Alive", "Body Movin'", and "Sure Shot". If you are a true BBoy fan, get this collection NOW!

And, oh by the way, for those of you that live outside of North America (i.e., Europe, Asia, Australia, and anywhere else), did I mention that this collection is playable in ALL regions? In other words, no need to worry about the NTSC/PAL formats!

I just received this DVD collection for Christmas after a month's anticipation resulting from begging a friend to buy it for me. When I got it I was happy enough just to see that there was a free two-sided poster inside (there's a bonus!), but the real giddy enjoyment came the first time I watched the first disc. "The Robot Vs. Octopus Saga" was pretty funny, and discovering the numerous different angles I could watch "Intergalactic" in was even more entertaining. Oh, and watch the saga in surround sound, it's really cool.

Sure, I was disappointed that a few good videos were left off, like "She's On It" and "Fight For Your Right"--how can you have a Beastie Boys video collection without that integral, classic video? But that still didn't keep me from spending the first three days of ownership in front of the TV watching every video, owner's manual in hand seeking out all the extra features. I swear, everyone in my house must've been so sick of hearing "Sabotage" because I was watching all the different fight sequences so many times.

Really, this is the first time I've ever used the multi-angle button. You could spend over an hour (yeah, I did) watching "Alive" in all the different angles while playing a different remix each time. I loved watching my favorite video, "Three MC's and One DJ," in quadri-angle, and even better I was surprised at how clear the picture was since I'm used to the ... quality of the videotape I have some of these videos on. I suppose that's just a DVD player thing, huh?... This new-fangled electronic stuff...

This DVD collection is perfect for any Beastie Boys fan who maybe hasn't seen some of these old videos ("So What'cha Want," "Sure Shot," "Hey Ladies," or the newer but rare "Body Movin' ") in a long time. It's also got some good stuff that you probably haven't seen before ("Netty's Girl," which is hilarious, "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun," "Holy Snappers," "Ricky's Theme," and the moving--I know that's cheesy, this whole damn review is cheesy--"Something's Got to Give"). So if you're considering purchasing it, don't hesitate...to ask someone else to buy it for you! You'll probably enjoy it more, since you've now saved enough money to buy the other Beastie Boys Anthology, The Sounds of Science, but that's another review altogether...

This release by the Criterion Collection is one of the most impressive DVD's in terms of special features and versatility that I have seen. This double disc set covers the music videos by the band, The Beastie Boys.

It covers 18 of their songs and the special features make up 95% of the content. Many of the songs contain lyrics not suitable for children and some teens, though some of the songs have the profanity bleeped.

The songs featured are Intergalactic, Shake Your Rump, Gratitude, Something's Got to Give, Sure Shot, Hey Ladies, Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun, Body Movin', So What'Cha Want, Sabotage, Shadrach, Three MCs and One DJ, Ricky's Theme, Pass the Mic, Holy Snappers, Root Down, Netty's Girl and Alive.

Of these my favorites are Intergalctic, and Shadrach.

For bonus features we have two audio commentaries of each video. One by the band and one by the directors. There are also alternate audio tracks of remixes of many of the songs interchangable with seperate video angles making hundreds of possible combinations. There is also slide shows of album art and pictures of video production and storyboarding.

I watched each individual angle and listened to each individual remix but did not do each possible combination as this would have probably taken a VERY long time.

Hardcore Beastie Boys fans though, will love to do this. Many of the videos contain very impressive footage.

I bought "License to Ill" when it came out some 15 years ago and I knew then that this band would change the music world forever. This DVD is so cool I cannot even begin to express my feelings for it. You get two discs each containing 9 Beastie songs and videos. The cool part is that each video has changable camera angles and re-mixed audio that you can change ON THE FLY as you watch. The experience is totally customizable. There are literally 30 different versions of "Intergalactic" with all the re-mixes and video options. Also the origional videos (sans re-mixed audio or video) can be played back to back making this a great party DVD. Oh, did I mention that these guys are funny as hell? One of the extras on "Sabotage" is a halarious interview with the cast of the video.

I have but two complaints. I wish that the re-mixed videos could be played back to back. Also I wish that the videos could be played in a random order. Those are my only gripes.

If you are a fan of the B Boys BUY THIS DVD. If you are not a fan BUY IT ANYWAYS. I feel like throwing a party now just to throw this on the big TV and pump it through the surround sound!

First off, I want to tell you that this DVD is Unbelievable! (It's packed with extras, over 100 video angles & audio tracks switchable at any time during playback). Everything I've ever seen that has 'The Criterion Collection' written on it, is beautifully put together. Way to go (Kudos) to another Awesome DVD collection.

Here you have more than 40 remixes by The Beastie Boys, Bentley Rhythm Ace, Fred C., Mario Caldato, Joey Chavez, Colleone & Webb, Count Bass D, DJ Cheapshot, DJ J-Rocc & DJ Truly OdD, DJ Moe Love, DJ Strictnine & Paranorm, Dub Hackers, Egon & Jon Doe, Evidence, Fatboy Slim, Kut Masta Kurt, Large Professor, Latch Brothers, Madlib, Micky Finn & Special K, Moby, Mum's The Word, Mike Nardone, OD, DJ Paul Nice, Peanut Butter Wolf, Shawn J. Period & Wizdom Life, Prince Paul, Prisoners Of Technology, Prunes, J Rawls, Sam Sever & Johnathan Hoffman, Soul Assassins & last but not least 'T-Ray'.

There is also : Audio Commentary by The Beastie Boys & The Video Directors, Including Adam Bernstein, Evan Bernard, Tamra Davis, Spike Jonze, Ari Marcopoulos & David Perez.

You also get The World-Premeire Director's Cut of Nathanial Hornblower's Intergalactic Spin-Off 'The Robot vs. The Octopus Monster Saga'. There are interviews with the cast of Sabotage, Still Photographs & A Collectible Poster (That is Double-Sided). Get the Hint, This 2-DVD Set is loaded with extras.

The coolest part about this DVD set is how 'You' the end-user can navigate through this DVD, the way 'You' want to. Example.. Each disc is divided into two sections. Section one is The Videos in Sequence. Section two let's 'You' watch The Videos with Supplements. Back to 'Section One' all of the videos are presented to 'You' in back to back order, as they were placed on the DVD. They are presented to 'You' in the highest possible image quality & contains Band & Director commentaries (They are in 2.0 Stereo or 5.1 Surround Audio). You can use the 'Audio/Subtitles' menu to select audio or subtitles at any time while watching these videos. Now on to Section Two (The coolest thing I've ever seen). Here, each video is presented individually with a selection of Supplementary Material (Additional video footage is available on Alternate Angles). Remixes & Alternate versions of songs are available on additional audio tracks. See below for examples.

On Disc 1

The song - 'Intergalactic'

Has these 'Video Angles'
1) Final Cut
2) Slo-Mo Lip Sync
3) Fast-Mo Lip Sync
4) Vogue
5) Platform
6) Spin Cam
7) The Jogger
8) The Scientists
9) Officer Side Streets

And it has these 'Audio Tracks'
1) Album Version w/ Sound Effects
2) Colleone & Webb Remix 1
3) Colleone & Webb Remix 2
4) Sever & Hoffman Remix
5) Prisoners of Technology Remix
6) A Cappella Version

(With Video Angles & Audio Tracks you get to choose which Video Angle & which Audio Track combo you would like to make). Like I said earlier, "The coolest part about this DVD set is how 'You' the end-user can navigate through this DVD" (It is way Cool!) I especially love how 'You' can pick a combo & change it the next time you watch the DVD. Example : You pick 'Intergalactic' 'Fast-Mo Lip Sync' (Video Angle) with 'Colleone & Webb Remix 1' (Audio Track) & the next time you watch the DVD, you can pick 'The Jogger' (Video Angle) with 'Sever & Hoffman Remix' (Audio Track). It's an endless number of combo's that 'You' get to create.

Note : Some songs like 'Something's Got To Give' have no additional Video Angles or Audio Tracks available.

Another Note : Some songs like 'Hey Ladies' have Audio Tracks, but no additional Video Angles available.

Yet Another Note : With this DVD, you get a 'Operations Manual' (Don't lose this, you will need this to guide yourself through the DVD), which helps you navigate through this DVD. It not only shows you every song in order that it is on the DVD, but it shows you if additional Video Angles or Audio Tracks are available & what they are. It also has an icon legend with pictures of objects next to each song. It shows you if there are Alternate Angles, Remixes, Additional Program, Storyboards or Still Photos.

Here is the complete tracklist of the 2 DVD's.

Disc 1

1) Intergalactic (9-Video Angles & 6-Audio Tracks & Additional Material 'The Robot vs. The Octopus Monster Saga')

2) Shake Your Rump (4-Video Angles & 5-Audio Tracks)

3) Gratitude (2-Video Angles & No Audio Tracks & Additional Material 'Live Version')

4) Something's Got To Give (No Video Angles & No Audio Tracks)

5) Sure Shot (2-Video Angles & 6-Audio Tracks & Additional
Material 'Photos by Spike Jonze')

6) Hey Ladies (No Video Angles & 5-Audio Tracks)

7) Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun (No Video Angles & 6-Audio Tracks)

8) Body Movin' (No Video Angles & 5-Audio Tracks & Additional Material 'Don't Loose Your Head' & Storyboards)

9) So What'Cha Want (3-Video Angles & 5-Audio Tracks)

Disc 2

1) Sabotage (4-Video Angles & No Audio Tracks & Additional Material 'Ciao L.A.','Photos by Spike Jonze')

2) Shadrach (3-Video Angles & 6-Audio Tracks)

3) Three MCs And One DJ (6-Video Angles & No Audio Tracks)

4) Ricky's Theme (No Video Angles & No Audio Tracks & Additional Material 'Photos by Spike Jonze')

5) Pass The Mic (No Video Angles & 5-Audio Tracks)

6) Holy Snappers (No Video Angles & No Audio Tracks & Additional Material 'Photos by Robin Moore')

7) Root Down (No Video Angles & 4-Audio Tracks)

8) Netty's Girl (No Video Angles & No Audio Tracks & Additional Material 'Science')

9) Alive (9-Video Angles & 7-Audio Tracks)

Let me leave you with a few lyrics from one of the greatest bands on the planet! Let my boys speak out with their lyrics!

All you Trekkies & TV addicts. Don't mean to diss. Don't mean to bring static. All you Klingons, in your Grandmas house. Grab your backstreet friend & get loud. Blowin' doors off hinges. I'll grab you with the pinchers & no I didn't retire. I'll snatch you up with the needle nose pliers.

I'm a lumber jack DJ Adrock. If you try to knock me, you'll get mocked. I'll stir fry you in my wok. Your knees'll start shaking & your fingers pop. Like a pinch on the neck of Mr. Spock.

I looked out the window & seen his bald head. I ran to the fridge & pulled out an egg. Scoped him with my scopes, he had no hair. Launched that shot & he was caught out there. Saw the convertible driving by, loaded up the slingshot & let one fly. He went for his to find he didn't have one. Put him in check correct with my egg gun. The egg, a symbol of life. Go inside your house & bust out your wife. Pulled out the jammy he thought it was a joke. The trigger I pulled his face, the yoke. Reached in his pocket took all his cash. Left my man standing with an egg moustache. Suckers they come a dime a dozen. And when I say dozen you know what I'm talking about boyee. Yeh, that's right, I'm The Egg Man!

****Now if you are still reading this, and you haven't clicked on the 'Purchase ASAP Button', there must be something wrong with you. I'm (NOT) making all this up people, this Puppy is loaded & everyone should already own this. I think I'm going to purchase 2/3 more of these DVD's (In case I wear mine out, from watching it Sooooo many times, & each time you can watch a different version of an Audio Track with Video Angles, to enhance each viewing). Enjoy Folks, & once you purchase this, don't say I didn't warn you on how Awesome this DVD really is. Thanks & A Big Kudos to 'Criterion' for putting together a Beautiful DVD (For The Beastie Boys), they definately deserve 'Criterion'!

The Beastie Boys Criterion Anthology demonstrates, better than any other DVD I've ever seen, the wealth of possibilities offered to music and video by current technology.

Since most of the 18 videos here have multiple (and more) options for remixes and alternate visuals, once you really get into this collection, it almost becomes more like an interactive game than an anthology. With all the options to mix-and-match song and picture, you could tweak with this thing for hours.

Plus, the sound and picture quality are excellent. And the "Body Movin" video samples Mario Bava's "Danger: Diabolique," which is pretty frickin' cool.

This 2 DVD set is any true fan's dream come true. I've loved the Beastie Boys since I was a kid listening to to "Licence to Ill" on my boombox. While I've grown out of many of the things I liked as a kid, the Beasties have grown with me.

I love their music. The Beasties have proven thmselves capable of growth and versatility while keeping everything in perspective. Whenever I'm with a group who can't agree on music, they can almost always settle for Beasties, whether they ONLY like the punk tracks or ONLY like the rap tracks or like me, love all of it. I'm going to go out on a limb and just say it: BEASTIES RULE!!! If you don't love their music, this set is not for you, you can stop reading this and go try and find the new 'N Sync or Michael Bolton CD or whatever it is you listen to.

Ok, I always like to get my complaints out of the way early, believe me, they'll be brief. 1. Censorship. It's not that I can't live without the 'f' or 's' words, but it drives me crazy when they are edited from original material, be it movies, or in this case songs. While Beastie tracks have never been drenched with profanity, they do sprinkle some curse words here and there. They are noticeably absent from this set for whatever reason. It's nothing to get riled up about, not even worth a star from my review, but it's a big pet peeve of mine and worth mentioning. I've returned CD's for the same offense.

2. Also absent are all those "Licence to Ill" video's. This is probably do to some copyright wars or something. Russell Simmons maybe? What strikes me as strange is that, while the songs appear on the "Anthology" CD set, their corresponding videos do not appear on the DVD's. Not a big loss. REALLY old punk video's like "Holy Snappers" do however. Again, it's a small complaint.

Everything else about the set is absolutely fantastic. Each video contains a wealth of information. One of my personal favorites is the inclusion of almost all 'B' side remixes. I used to own the single for "What'Cha Want" which had a ton of remixes. When I lost it, I was never able to replace it. I was very pleased to find almost all of the remixes on this DVD all sychronized to the video. Good stuff.

Using "What'Cha Want" as an example of quality, it also contains several alternate angles from the original filming: Beasties in the studio, talking head Beasties, etc. which can be mixed and matched with the different remixes. While most of them are just good for a quick laugh, it adds variety to something that used to be very static.

There are actually two formats when you want to watch and listen. The first basic way of watching is by viewing them in sequence, this is the only way to select the 5.1 sound and the commentaries, but you can't select alternate tracks. The DVD will play from beginning to end without prompting. The other way of playing is as I described with "So What'Ca Want". You select an individual song and then set it up how you like, or view bonus material for that particular track ("Body Movin' and "Sabotage" have some cool/funny extras). You can also switch mixes and angles in mid-play by using the on-screen menu. I thought this feature was one of the coolest and most practical.

Almost all the songs have alternate tracks and angles, and all of them have Directors commentary and commentary from the Beasties themselves. While you might not get a huge amount of technical advice if you're a budding director, the commentaries are entertaining and give a glimpse into the Beastie world.

Also, not surprisingly, the disc contains links to the Beaties web site and their various "Free Tibet" sites and charity organizations which are all non-profit and rely on donations. Incedentally, anyone who's owned the "Tibetan Freedom Concert" 3 CD set might find it as another good example of how well the Beasties throw together a compilation. It too contained a wealth of great information, movies and interactive material similar to the stuff on this set.

From a fans standpoint, this is a great set because of all the cool Beastie stuff, from a technical standpoint it sets a new standard for interactive DVD viewing and shows just how versatile the format can be. Artists should be going out of their way to emulate what the Beasties have done here with a little bit of foresight, planning and a total respect for their fans. The sad thing is, most artists are either too lazy, too self-involved, or too god-awful to provide a quality product for their fans and customers. This is why the Beasties are far ahead of the pack.

I wish Def Jam Records would have allowed this DVD to include the "Licence to Ill" tracks. It is a great DVD as it is, but I would love to see this DVD include "Brass Monkey", "Girls", "Fight for your Right", and "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn". If you enjoy the Beastie Boys later stuff then this is the DVD for you. It is loaded with videos and special features from "Paul's Boutique", "Check Your Head", "Ill Communication", and "Hello Nasty". One of my favorite options is being able to watch the videos with different remixes of the songs. I love the "free zone remix" of "Root Down" and this DVD allows me to watch the video of "Root Down" with that version. This is a definite must for any Beastie fan with a DVD player.