Customer Reviews

Cirque du Soleil Presents: Quidam - Transform Your World [VHS]

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

FINALLY! A superior capture of a Cirque du Soleil performance. I sufferied through the last two ("Novelle Experience" and "Saltimbanco") disappointing videos. Watching one missed opportunity after another, I had to draw from my memory of being at the performance to complete the picture. Or else I had to overcome annoying camera tricks. At last there is a film that enhances the experience of "Quidam" that surpasses the visions one gets from a a seat in the audience, and ALMOST equals the experience of being there.

Let me explain. Camera shots and close-ups are much improved over previous ventures (I have not seen the film of "Alegria"), and now are better integrated into the overall experience. Rather than trying to perform camera stunts of their own (there are some exceptions), the viewpoint tries to capture or comment on what is being filmed.. The sound quality (captured from a live performance) is supurb.

And the acts are wonderful. Many are actually more enjoyable [to me] than in my two live viewings because of the viewpoint of this film. While some are not as impressive as some past acts have been, the way the entire production encompasses their essence improves their impact. And some of the acts, quite frankly, are simply as good as it gets.

But in this instance, the whole is far greater than the parts. This has always been a Cirque trait, but is particularly evident in "Quidam". The vision that permeates every frame of this film, every motion of every performer, every brush stroke in every make-up, every note in the score, every stitch in every costume-- is as advanced as anything seen in any art-form -painting, dance, theater, music, athletic arts, light, sound, technical theatre --all fully expressed in one overwhelming artistic statement that produces no less than a state of awe. Hey, but that is what you expect from Cirque du Soleil.

You get it here. For the first time (in my humble opinion) on film. And now you can sit at home in comfort and admire it again and again-- and you can show your friends what it is like to be in a very special world of enchantment.

Finally it's here, Quidam on Video. My favourite touring show, with "O" taking the top marks in the fixed location department. After endless e-mails to Cirque's marketing department, on when it would be out, it comes just in time for Christmas. Shot in Amsterdam, The Netherlands back in April this year, the show does a great job capturing the images of the show. From the joyfully opening of Chris Lashua's German Wheel via the erotic Aerial contortion in silk by Isabelle Chasé to the heart-stopping Banquine finale by the entire cast. Many acts are shortend, espcially the playfull diabolos and hoop acts, others such as the Manipulation act, did not play in Amsterdam. However, the Manipulation act is replaced by the wonderfull Handbalancing, which used to alter with the diabolos back in the states but is back as a full act here. One thing is great though, and please Cirque take notice, One boring clown act per show is really enough, and really takes enough speed out of the show, Quidam would be even better without Les Malcoma and with another act!, John alone brings more laughs than those three idiots from France.

Having seen the show 11 times, I would certainly say that Quidam on Video is something else than Quidam live, feeling the bass in the tent during the Statue just adds to the whole experience. Being in the tent Cirque is a 360o experience something that is very difficult to capture on tape, even with Yet, the video provides 90 minutes of non-stop entertainment that is not to be missed. The quality of both the sound is so good, it eliminates the need for a Quidam live CD, since the orginal version just lacks many of the wonderful show tracks.

Indeed 5 stars for this video of this 5 star show. Simply because it does what it should do: it reminds you of a great night, it can't compete with it, but hey for the price you can't even buy a restricted view seat and then you certainly won't see and feel as much of the show as you do when you buy this wonderful tape. Now let's all keep our fingers crossed for a full version of Mystére on Video in 2003!, which shouldn't be that hard.....

I have experienced Cirque du Soleil's 'Mystere' twice; unfortunately not 'Quidam' and had always hoped 'Mystere' would be released on video so I could watch it with my daughter - who listens to all of Cirque's soundtracks with me. When the 'Quidam' video came out (her and I had already memorized the soundtrack), we watched and cried and laughed in unison. Magic. At the end, she said: 'Dad, I feel so happy...and sad.' The Cirque du Soleil spirit is captured very well in both the video and the audio productions. John Gilky's pseudo-juggling antics are priceless and the angelic voice of Audrey Brisson-Jutras sends shivers up and down my spine. I wish she and her father - Cirque soundtrack composer Benoit Jutras - would release a musical project of their own (if they haven't already). If one has never seen a Cirque du Soleil show, this video is the next best thing. Be sure to have a big-screen TV, surround-sound stereo system, and an extra large tub of popcorn (but watch out for the usher).

My personal history of experiences with Cirque du Soleil is erratic - my first exposure to them being a trip to "Saltimbanco" in London's Royal Albert Hall, a performance so unexpectedly magical and so unlike any other event I have attended that I subsequently went a further five times, taking everybody I could persuade to come with me.

Video purchases of this, and "Nouvelle Experience" followed, which was equally delightful.

This was followed by "Alegria", which, I have to say, bitterly disappointed me. I found it lacked the sheer exuberance of "Saltimbanco", and whereas most Cirque productions seem to have a clear theme, I found "Alegria" an obtuse and disparate confusion of inferior acts to those of "Saltimbanco", chained together with clowning routines taken verbatim (with no warning nor apology) from Russian clown Slava's previous "Snowshow" production.

"Quidam", however, is not only as much a return to form, more a totally productive reinvention and enhancement of it, resulting in an equally magical, but also a superior, more mature, elegant offering, with a powerful theme, profound symbology, incredible acrobatic performances, layer upon layer of belief-shattering visuals, and outstanding musical moments. This is Cirque du Soleil's tour-de-force and finest moment to date, and elevates "Circus" to the league of fine art.

Witness the "simple" routine whereby a hula-hoop is jettisoned so that it orbits a clown in a slowly decreasing spiral, to finally roll straight into his hand, that had been accurately positioned to accept it from the start, and you will begin to understand the level of utter control and perfection that exudes from this production at every opportunity.

Towards the end of this video I was struck with the thought "if ever the human race were put on trial by extraterrestrials for their atrocities, this should be exhibit A in their defence". This video will make you gasp in awe, laugh, cry, dream, and spend some time afterwards pondering the nature of the human condition.

Simply, a masterpiece.

Having watched two previous productions on video(Nouvelle experience, Saltimbanco), I can honestly say that Quidam has to be the most visually and artistically stunning of the three.

Unlike the first two, annoying camera angles and effects are kept to a bare minimum, except for the German Wheel act. Also, the quality of the tape itself (image and sound) is superior and comes in nice clamshell packaging.

I will not bother decribing the acts when much will be lost in the translation anyway and the wonder and magic can only really be appreiciated visually in a show or on video. However, I will say this. These current group of performers touring Europe having got to be the finest I have seen. There is really no substitute for perfection and this is the one of the more impressive aspects of this show. While other shows have employed the use of safety devices ( don't get me wrong, I'm all for safety), this troup has the confidence and competence to execute their amazing stunts mostly without the use of any saftey apparatus. Maybe the degree of difficulty might be a factor, but being propelled upwards in the air and ending up in a handstand position on top of a 3 man human pyramid is just incredible.

More impressive is the way all the acts are choreographed to the haunting and mesmerizing music composed by Benoit Jutras. From the majestic opening, to the cheeky skipping rope act and the acrobates in Banquine, the acts are performed to the music beat for beat. I very often wonder whether the acts are choreographed to the music, or the music is composed to fit in with the acts. Or maybe a combination of the two perhaps? Anyway, no matter how it was done, it's just pure magic.

I really haven't got a bone to pick about Quidam even after having watched it about twenty times. I guess this is one advantage of owning the video, you can watch it over and over and over again...

I saw Quidam for the first time about three weeks ago. I had never even heard of it before and since then I spread the word, now everyone I know is raving about it. In three weeks I have seen Quidam more than thirteen times. I bought the DVD yesterday and saw it three more times. Quidam is a work of art which I feel everyone should experience at least once, it left me speachless and in awe of the amazing show. A combination of circus talents and musical story, which unfolds a story of emptiness turned to discovery of our world and the imagination that guides us. Awesome acrobatics and mind boggling stunts to thrill at time and time again mixed with a soothing and upbeat background music. A definite must for anyone interested in art form, music, theater and of course awe inspiring acrobatics. Quidam is one I will never tire of, and I continue to be awed by it with every viewing.

I just finished viewing "La Nouba" and I have to say that it displaces "O" as my second favorite Cirque du Soleil show. "Quidam" remains my favorite and the gold standard against which all other shows must be measured. In addition to these three, I've seen "Mystere", "Zumanity", "KA", "Varekai", "Alegria", "Saltimbanco", and "Dralion". It's no coincidence that my top three picks are all creations of Franco Dragone, who unfortunately, has left the company. All three also feature the music of Benoit Jutras. The artistry, surrealism, visual imagery, and music are all earmarks of a Dragone/Jutras show. There are some similarities between Quidam and La Nouba which might be the reason they are my favorites. They share some of the same acts such as the "German Wheel" and "Diabolos". The German Wheel acts are a bit different because in Quidam, there is only one wheel whereas in La Nouba, there are two. The result is that the single performer in Quidam maintains a faster, more acrobatic, pace where the duo in La Nouba act in sync. The Diabolos acts are virtually identical in both shows, except that Quidam's version has a spectacular ending that is lacking in La Nouba's. In both shows, the finale is the main event of the show - "Banquine" in Quidam and "Power Track (PT)/Trampoline" in La Nouba. Although "PT/Trampoline" is absolutely superb, "Banquine" remains my favorite of any act in any Cirque show. The combination of artistry, music, costumes, and unbelievable acrobatic ability in Banquine is sheer perfection. The weakest acts are the "Cloud Swing" in Quidam and "Cycles" in La Nouba. I've never really liked the clown acts in any of the Cirque shows and these two are no exception. Most Cirque shows have one or possibly two acts that are good enough to be the main event. La Nouba has two - "PT/Trampoline" and "Flying Trapeze". Quidam has three - "Banquine", "Skipping Ropes", and "Statue". Most main event acts feature large casts of at least 8-10 people and usually more. "Statue" is perhaps the only main event-quality act that has only two people. The one other advantage that Quidam has over La Nouba, at least on DVD, is the singing voice of Audrey Brisson-Jutras who is the daughter of musical composer Jutras. The lead vocalist in La Nouba is amazing, but there is something magical and haunting about Audrey's voice that sends chills up my spine every time I view Quidam. The reason that "O" drops to third place is that, as wonderful a show as it is artistically, the acrobatics are weak compared to most other shows. "O" does not contain a main event-quality acrobatic act. One other difference between Quidam and La Nouba is that La Nouba, with acts such as "High Wire", "Balancing on Chairs", and "Flying Trapeze" more closely resembles a traditional circus than Quidam. Both Quidam and La Nouba are "must have" DVDs for anyone who enjoys the Cirque du Soleil.

After my parents having gone to Treasure Island to see Mystere, I knew I would really enjoy a Cirque performance, based on their reactions to the show. I ordered a package through Columbia House, with Quidam and Dralion both. Quidam has a storyline that is more elaborate, and developed (in my opinion) than Dralion. After watching it repeatidly, I am still amazed at how many nuances I can pick out that I had never noticed before. Without going into specifics I would say that the theatrics and acts are coordinated beautifully, juxtaposed to the weaker story of Dralion, which seems to focus mainly on the acts. Surely Quidam is a must-see.

Having watched two previous productions on video(Nouvelle experience, Saltimbanco), I can honestly say that Quidam has to be the most visually and artistically stunning of the three.

Unlike the first two, annoying camera angles and effects are kept to a bare minimum, except for the German Wheel act. Also, the quality of the tape itself (image and sound) is superior and comes in nice clamshell packaging.

I will not bother decribing the acts when much will be lost in the translation anyway and the wonder and magic can only really be appreiciated visually in a show or on video. However, I will say this. These current group of performers touring Europe having got to be the finest I have seen. There is really no substitute for perfection and this is the one of the more impressive aspects of this show. While other shows have employed the use of safety devices ( don't get me wrong, I'm all for safety), this troup has the confidence and competence to execute their amazing stunts mostly without the use of any saftey apparatus. Maybe the degree of difficulty might be a factor, but being propelled upwards in the air and ending up in a handstand position on top of a 3 man human pyramid is just incredible.

More impressive is the way all the acts are choreographed to the haunting and mesmerizing music composed by Benoit Jutras. From the majestic opening, to the cheeky skipping rope act and the acrobates in Banquine, the acts are performed to the music beat for beat. I very often wonder whether the acts are choreographed to the music, or the music is composed to fit in with the acts. Or maybe a combination of the two perhaps? Anyway, no matter how it was done, it's just pure magic.

I really haven't got a bone to pick about Quidam even after having watched it about twenty times. I guess this is one advantage of owning the video, you can watch it over and over and over again...

Reality moves out of your home when Quidam moves in. A world of fantasy, a fantastic world. A little girl, Zoe, who is bored and is treated almost indifferently by her own parents, is taken a world of magic and beauty when the headless, faceless Quidam arrives literally at her door. This show is about the beauty of man and woman, our strengths and our sorrows, our dreams, passions, and even our fears.

This show is spectacular. This is the first I have seen of the Cirque du Soleil, and it won't be the last. The impression it made on me pulls me to see the show live in Europe.

If you haven't seen the Cirque du Soleil or even heard of them before. You can't go wrong with Quidam. It is an artistic collage of acrobatics, dance, and drama set to excellent music in a fresh way like I, and perhaps the world has ever known.