Customer Reviews

U2 - Achtung, Baby [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Achtung Baby!the video, mixes great video, interview clips, and and outtakes from U2's album of the same name.The first version on this tape of Even Better Than The Real Thing, with a mesmerizing 360º panning camera that zooms through Bono's legs, is quite possibly one of the greatest music videos of all time. The synthesis of motion and music achieves an ultimate gestalt other music videos can only dream of. This video, alone, is worth the price of the tape, but there's so much more to enjoy. Like Mysterious Ways, set in a sun-washed Morocco. Bright primary colors vibrate as Bono's warped reflection dances against yellow Moroccan wall.Or a version of One filmed in Berlin, complete with that decadent German drag look.U2 continues to be a great band through the 90's,pushing new ground, as in Achtung Baby! (And, yes, even THEY loathe that title.)

The 'Achtung Baby' era of U2's musical dominance was an unbelievable period for the boys. Everything they did, from promotional material to stage details was soaked with irony, depth and a dark surrealism, and this tape desplays them all perfectly. The tape was a promo for the CD, and contains every video (including all 3 versions of 'One'), and shows some concert footage as well. But there is some great behind the scenes footage, such as footage of Berlin, Bono acting up in several interviews, and a look at Edge's little-known knowledge of owl's. Great for the 'Achtung Baby' videos alone, the other footage just pushes this tape into excellence.

Critics and fans are split between which is U2's best album, 'The Joshua Tree' or 'Achtung Baby?' For me at least, 'Achtung Baby' is U2's finest work -- creatively, artistically and musically. As such, this video captures U2 in full swing during the ZOO TV era. Along with the music videos, the "Interference from ZOO TV" really makes this video worth having. No U2 should be without it.

If you liked U2's Achtung Baby album and want to expand on the experience, then this is definitely the video for you. In addition to three video versions each of both "Even Better Than the Real Thing" and "One," along with vidoes of "Mysterious Ways," "The Fly," and "Until the End of the World," the viewer is treated with a few "ZooTV Interference" quickies. These consist of a series of sound bytes from interviews with the band members, video and live concert flashbacks, and general footage of the band just living their life.
The "Interference" portions are definitely the highlight of the video. Though a bit mind-boggling with the lightning-quick switch from clip to clip, they offer interesting insight about U2 itself, and Achtung Baby's message and origins. In addition, the old footage, though given somewhat sparingly, gives longtime U2 fans a chance to nostalgically re-live some of the band's past glories. All of this extra information allows U2 fans to appreciate Achtung Baby more deeply.
Though the videos are enjoyable, particularly "Mysterious Ways" and the first versions of "You're the Real Thing" and "One," I would have liked to have seen more of the album's songs performed. For example, the songs that weren't made into videos would have been fun to watch as concert footage. This sort of thing would probably have had to come from the ZooTV concert tape, but segments of the Greatest Hits from 1980-1990 tape included Rattle and Hum footage, so that probably wouldn't have been a problem.
All in all, this Achtung Baby video could have been better, but it's definitely a must-have for any U2 fan.

OK, for the record, I LOVE U2 and everything they do, and I loved this period as much as all the rest, from "War" to "All That You Can't Leave Behind"...however, this video is like a big, long tease! There's all this great stuff...sound bites, clips, cool visuals...but it's played out at such an MTV pace (45 shots in 60 seconds) that it leaves you unsatisfied. I KNOW that part of what this album was all about had to do with those very qualities, but it also had a depth and poetry that was not well represented by this video...I think it was put together by some music "editors" on speed! Skip the video & keep listening to the music to get the "Real Thing"

Interference is U2 in Sgt. Pepper concept mode. A vision of the 21st. century, ten years ahead of schedule. If you ever wondered what and why about Achtung Baby this video is your answer.

Not an epic like Rattle and Hum (Interference is how U2 wanted Rattle and Hum to come out) but a psychedelic tapestry of visual and intellectual facades. Interference plays to and enhances the Achtung Baby album . . . actually Achtung Baby is incomplete - conceptually- without this video.

Now, I am a pure lover of Rattle and Hum - everything about it. So my one complaint about Interference is that there is not enough concert footage. You get a teaser here and there but nothing like Rattle and Hum. But the personal interviews are a great addition and work to create a powerful and frightening editorial on pop culture.

This is a must own for any U2 fan. This is a must own for anyone interested in Music. This is a must own for anyone interested in the fine working of popular culture.

This is "must have" item for every U2 fan. If you are one of those who really want to know everything about U2, then you should see this VHS. I truly recommend it for every U2 fan and those who simply love rock'n'roll and know what good music is.

Great vhs tape of Achtung Baby music. For me, that was their last great album. Too many versions of One, an overrated/overplayed single. Sorry Bono. But this tape shows how creative the band were and also how they have surrounded themselves with talented people. This should be on dvd.

Fan of the band since Boy and have enjoyed watching them grow. Last two albums were ok (All that you and Atomic Bomb) but not inspiring. Let's hope next one is tho the single Get on your Boots is not working for me.

One of the best U2 video compilation. Every song in there is great. It has to be. Because, the whole album is great. The only problem is that this has not been released in DVD yet, and I don't know why. Does anyone know why? Can someone please answer why? I gave my vhs tape to a buddy of mine, an equally big fan of U2, for his birthday. This is a very rare tape to come by. I don't think any stores will be able to get for you any more. So, if you hapen to come by it, then it's definitely worth buying it, and don't give it away.

I love everything about this band their music and the way they sing it, I just fall in love again everytime I listen to them. great cd and great video.