Customer Reviews

Enigma - Remember the Future

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First off, the good news. Finally, a decent Enigma video compilation. I do not understand why there is so much controversy or fuss about the videos being "too racy" or "visually inappropriate". Those who find the images too titillating or bordering towards soft porn, should not watch them or allow kids to watch them. Period.For the rest of the mature adult world, fans and non-fans, the imagery and art direction is simply very tasteful, artistic and breathtaking! The video imagery is very European because, guess what, that's where Enigma is from ! The only Americanized looking video is the Sliver soundtrack track Carly's Loneliness (one can even catch a brief glimpse of the awesome Twin Towers). Each song and video definitely has a "movie soundtrack" feel to it (especially since a few Hollywood block buster films utilized Enigma's music for their trailers). Enigma does not conform itself to what most people think of as normal pop music standards (then again, what is normal in today's music market ?). Creator Michael Cretu and wife Sandra go beyond that. The beauty is that the music and videos are left to each individual's interpretations.It is truly music for the mind. All songs and videos (at least most of them) are richly steeped in multi global or cultural backdrops and sounds; there is no one particular ethnic sound that Enigma identifies itself with. They combine several ethnic musical influences with modern instrumental technology for a colorful musical tapestry for all or any to enjoy ! So what if the videos are heavy laden with symbols of religion, sex, music, and a strong flair for the visual arts. They're meant to be enjoyed and hopefully take the mind and senses in to a different dimension for a little while. The same symbols or connotations that offend certain viewers are the same symbols or icons that surround us on a day to day basis (hopefully in a positive light)!...

Now, the bad news (from a technical stance). I agree with other fans that the lack of a full surround digital track is a huge misstep for whoever did the audio engineering;I may be overstepping my boundaries if it was the final decision of Enigma or the record company. This is one of the major reasons dvd enthusiasts (myself included) look forward to purchasing software like this. True , the label clearly states PCM Digital Stereo. Yet, there's no excuse. Also, this collection was re-released again in limited circulation (possibly only in Europe) where an extra video was added on entitled Turn Around to coincide with the release of the CD Greatest Hits LSD release! Argghh !!! There is also one other video missing titled Out From The Deep. The digital visual compression is not the best. There are visible traces of MPEG artifacting or macro blocking (tiling effect, shades of colors darkness don't blend smoothly as on analog video) that can be seen on quite a few of the videos.As for the "serious" voice over done (by possibly the same guy used for movie trailers and teasers), so what ? His tone gives a sort of cinematic/theatrical appeal in narrating each song's/video's ambiguous message...An interview with the brains behind Enigma and his wife as well as various band members over the years would have been the ultimate icing; especially since none of these European Enigma artists have ever done an American formal interview ! From rare internet Enigma fan site photos, Michael Cretu's wife Sandra is quite beautiful and very much fits her soothing, sensual whispery voice !

Enigma is a group that over the years has won me over as a fan (to say die hard would be misleading). Again, like new age musical/soundtrack composer Vangelis, the average market or listener does not know how to categorize Enigma. They (critics and listeners,viewers) try to fit the round peg in the square hole, but it just doesn't fit. This is why Enigma has it's fans and gains new ones...!

Once I collected Enigma's works I was also mesmerized by their European side projects and other protogees or artists that Michael Cretu has produced music for. Hopefully, Enigma bandmember Sandra Cretu will release her collection of pop/dance video hits she has had over in Europe ! She's another enigmatic musical force onto her own ...

Wel in the previows review are many facts that coul lead you to a wrong impresion about the contents of this.
1.Special intro:
When you put the DVD you'll hear the tipical enigma's introduction, "good evening, this is the voice of enigma", featured in their first album, but edited.
2. The Menu:
a) Select a song
b) hear all the songs.
c) discography
d) facts

a) In this youll see a circle of mistic words, in the midle the best moments of the video, when yo put foward you pas to the next and se the news images.

b) give you entry to the entire collection of videos. There is any narration, only the full lenght videos

c) show all the albums and the singles plus, when you chose a single begins music an a narration who tolds you part of the story, "solve the enigma" each single is a chapter, you see highlights of the video and hear this narration whit the music behind

d) Show best images of all videos whit narration about what is enigma, how many dis has been sold and how Michael Crethu himself chose the eleven videos.

Track listing.
1. Sadeness.
2. Mea culpa
3. Principless of lust
4. Rivers of belief.
5. return to inocence.
6. eyes of truth.
7. Carly's song.
8. behind the invisible
9. Tnt for the brain.
10. Gravity of love.
11. Push the limits.

I really hope this review help you (...)

Enigma.
A statement of mystery. Since the inception of Enigma, the music and the visuals all had themes of life, love and even in some instances, religion. But this all goes back to the Marqui De Sade's theme of church vs. sexuality. Hence, Sadeness...

Enigma.
The unexplained question.
The visuals presented in the DVD do not tell complete stories.
They are surreal and dreamlike. Some mixed with strange situations.

In "Sadeness" a writer dreams of the eternal conflict of devotion and wanting as we see the ruins of old
cathedral pass before a beautiful woman.

"Mea Culpa" in it's undying words of self acusation "Take me,
I'm yours, I'm guilty...". A woman in armored gloves wafts in through images of artifacts repeating in breathy sighs "I'm guilty..."

"Rivers of Belief" a beautiful montage of outdoor visions of a
warrior king weilding a sword to this unusual and beautiful remix which features a sample of Bach's "Toccata and Fugue".

"Beyond the Invisible" takes a girl from her normal homelife to a most strange world of daydreams that seem to devour her.

"TNT for the Brain" is by far the most strange. A man with eyes closed with eyes opened watches himself in situations with women who only tempt him with their sensuality and beguile. A woman sings as drops fall reflecting her face make an arresting image.

"Gravity of Love" revolves around a person wrapped in white unable to escape this debauched masquerade party. Themes of paralyisis and debauchery play through. Like watching a Francis Bacon painting!

I could go on but find out for yourself in this well thought out package. You can choose to hear narration about the videos in the discography section of the disc.

Enjoy Enigma.

This DVD is value for money. Enigma the brain child trust of one talented individual Michel Cretu created a music that would touch people intimately. And now we have the great Enigmatic songs on DVD with attached visual clips. This is the UK version that is compatible to all regional codexs. There are 11 Video clips on this version and they are all wonderful.

Enigma is the LSD for the mind, Love Sensuality & Devotion. Cretu is a mastermind and his vision for Enigma early on was spot on. The video clips matched the songs and in all truth justified the essence of Cretu's message through out his songs. Watching each song clip was like being carried on a gentle wind down a stream toward a destination always just over the next hill.

My favourite clip was 'Beyond The Invisible'. How many of us would admit that we would wish our fantasies and desires would consume us? How we wish constantly to reach into the invisible and lose ourselves in the shrouds of Love Sensuality Devotion. Thus this is a must for any fan of Enigma. It is a must not a miss.

Enigma certainly lives up to its name. Aside from their albums and singles, not much can be seen or heard. American radio won't play them, American TV won't show their videos. However Enigma is one of the greatest musical creations ever. This collection of videos is exactly what fans have been waiting for. An extra glimpse into the ethereal world of this innovative group. Some of these videos are superb, others are just okay. But what some of the videos lack, the music more than makes up for it. The only things wrong with this video are the fact that it leaves out one of the best Enigma songs ever..."Out From The Deep". It's very peculiar that this one video is missing. Also, the US DVD will never be released with "Turn Around" from the Love Sensuality Devotion album. But bottom line, any fan of Enigma must have these videos. Watch for a release of MCMXC a.D. - The Complete Video Album coming to DVD Sept. 8, the same as the release date for the new album, Voyageur!!

I've been a big fan of Enigma since the first inception back in 1990. You may also find Michael Cretu's earlier music good too - see Invisible Man, good CD even if sounds a bit 80s.

One must love the quality of DVD and this DVD does the music videos great justice. Some of the first videos are a bit cheesy and have bad special effects, but the later videos are excellent. The videos are good representations of the music; they seem to be an accurate depiction of the music visually. I highly recommend this for fans of Enigma that have all of his CDs and would like to have the videos too.

I love Enigma and was highly anticipating the release of this DVD. The music videos (most of which I had never seen before) are stunning visual landscapes that transport the viewer into different cultures and realms in time. The audio on the disc, however, is seriously lacking. When I first bought the disc, I noticed loud static and "popping" in the audio soundtrack. I thought the disc was damaged, so I took it back and exchanged it. However, the audio problems remained. If Virgin Records had payed more attention to the audio details, this would definitely have been a five star DVD.

I must say this DVD is region free, unless it's the one I got. Audio quality is amazing, the best I've ever heard on DVD. Image definition is also the best you could expect. As far as I know, this contains ALL the videos made for Enigma, in addition to notes and comments about his videos and albums. IF YOU LIKE ENIGMA, YOU DO NEED THIS. Play and relax! :o)

this is the ultimate dvd for all those enigma fans out there. if you love the songs, then you will love these videos that are on the dvd, not to mention all of the awesome extra features.

Having been a fan of Enigma since the release of "Sadeness Pt. 1" in 1990, I was happy to finally obtain Michel Cretu's most popular videos in a high quality DVD format. The videos span Enigma's 11 years and should be a part of any Enigma fan's collection. Purists, however, should take note of the following observation.

Four years ago, I bought the Japanese Laser Disc of Enigma's first CD - MCMXC A.D. which was essentially, the entire CD as one long music video. I noticed a difference between the Laser Disc and the DVD immediately upon watching the "Rivers of Belief" video. For one, the DVD uses a remixed version of the "Rivers of Belief" single that originally came with the limited edition MCMXC A.D. disc (you can tell because of the beginning organ music and the thunder sound effects - the original does not have these sounds present). This may be a bit disheartening to those who like the original "Rivers of Belief". Also, many of the shots have been re-edited which makes the situations a bit more esoteric. Most fans will not notice (or care) but it was something I felt should be mentioned.

Criticisms aside, Do buy this DVD and enjoy the splendor that is Enigma.