Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• VHS Release Date: March 9, 1999
• Run Time: 121 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305302499
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,029 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This lavish two-hour concert special, originally produced for HBO, offers ample proof of Janet Jackson's fierce ambitions. Whitney, Celine, and Mariah can run circles around her small, sweet voice, but Janet brings a tough, muscular power to her live performances that none of those peers can approach, storming through myriad set and costume changes, and sustaining an aerobic pace through elaborate dance routines. As captured during this Madison Square Garden presentation of her Velvet Rope tour, Janet Jackson is, ahem, very buff indeed, not just in her well-toned physical health, but in her vocal attack.

The Velvet Rope tosses up rappers, hard-rock heroism, melting romantic pop, and Jackson's own flavor of soft-core erotica, but the show transcends those components in its broad sense of spectacle. The star fronts a formidable battalion of dancers, singers, and musicians to make her points, and while it's obvious that the musical performances have been nipped, tucked, and polished to an acceptable sheen, Janet earns her props through sheer willpower.

Ranging across Jackson's best-known songs from the last decade, the production is noteworthy for its intricate choreography and massive settings, in which the star seeks to match the big-budget sweep of her music videos. The live troupe is formidable, composed of a crack band and a large cast of nimble dancers, and Janet keeps pace with her aerobic presence. We'll leave it to social scientists to ponder the significance of the "Rope Burn" sequence, in which an ecstatic male fan is lashed to a chair and gets to watch his favorite sex object pole-dance. If this stalwart is any indication, Janet has already won the hearts (and more) of her faithful. --Sam Sutherland

Product Description

The Velvet Rope Tour is a spectacular production of lights, dance, energy, and of course Janet's total control of the stage. Janet brings her distinctive vocals, sweet melodies and harder-edged dance rhythms to a synergistic crescendo in this stunning concert filmed live at Madison Square Garden, New York. Songs: Velvet Rope, If, You, Let's Wait Awhile/Again, Control medley: Control/The Pleasure Principle/What Have You Done For Me Lately/Nasty/Throb, Escapade medley: Escapade/When I Think of You/Miss You Much/Runaway/Love Will Never Do [Without You], Alright, I Get Lonely, Anytime Anyplace, Rope Burn, Black Cat, What About, Rhythm Nation, Special, That's the Way Love Goes, Got 'Til It's Gone, Go Deep, Together Again.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Show!, January 24, 2002

By 

J. M. Zuurbier (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Janet Jackson - The Velvet Rope Tour (DVD)

Janet's VELVET ROPE tour began in Europe in April 1998, and lasted well into the fall of 1998, hitting various countries to support her album THE VELVET ROPE. THE VELVET ROPE is Janet's most personal offering, with songs about acceptance, personal pain, etc. The tour is a must see. Janet takes on various personas through different costume changes, that symbolize her songs. Not only does she sing songs from THE VELVET ROPE, but she digs back, all the way to CONTROL and RHYTHM NATION 1814 with songs the fans have always loved. As tiring as the tour is, this party doesn't stop, as she entertains through and through during this concert. There is a charisma with Janet on stage, between her and the fans, her and the dancers, anyone she wants to make contact with. This is a show for the fans, and a show that doesn't disapoint. Highlight performances include the Control Medley, the Escapade Medley, If, Rhythm Nation, What About, and more. Give this one a whirl if you want to be entertained!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very fun, very energetic..., August 12, 2001

By 

Pauline (Connecticut USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Janet Jackson - The Velvet Rope Tour (DVD)

but I gave it a 4 because of the audience. I would have assumed that after it being aired live on HBO and set for VHS and DVD availability-that they would drown out the crowd more, particularly the first song "Velvet Rope" and "If". It got better as the show went on, except in some parts, where again they drowned Janet's voice by the audience.

Other than that, as I said very fun and energetic. All the great hits, fantastic stage sets and awesome costume changes. Especially the Escapade Medley stage set and costumes.

Those who like Janet and those who like concerts on the screen, I recommend it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her first name ain't "Baby"!, March 16, 2001

By 

Laura G. Carter "Castlebreaker" (Reidsville, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Janet Jackson - The Velvet Rope Tour (DVD)

It's JANET! And what a DVD this is. Killer sets, great dance numbers (my only complaint is that not all the dancers can be seen all the time, and they're working as hard as Miss Janet. I think more on-screen time next go 'round should be afforded to these talented, energetic individuals.) And Janet sings her heart out - all your favorites, from "If" to a medley of "Control" hits, to a razor-edged rendition of "Black Cat". The emotional song, however, is "What About", with dancers in the background enacting various scenes of violence between men and women, with men being the aggressors. A powerful song, "What About" only speaks more eloquently with its visuals. This DVD is never leaving my collection! Can't wait for Janet's new CD!

(And there is one awesome seduction number in the song "Rope Burn". You know that guy onstage will never forget THAT experience! Turn that track on when you curl up with your honey one evening!)