Product Details

• Actors: Gano Grills, Wu-Tang Clan, Bobbito Garcia, Gerald K. Barclay, Mitchell Diggs
• Directors: Gerald K. Barclay
• Format: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: November 18, 2008
• Run Time: 79 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001DHXT7K
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,671 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In his opening narration, director Gerald Barclay reveals that he grew up with members of the Wu-Tang Clan. That makes his profile a first-person feature, even if he doesn't turn the camera on himself. As a video producer, Barclay contributed to the hip-hop collective's early success, so he isn't exactly a disinterested observer, which gives him access, but can also result in a limited perspective. Fortunately, he adds enough outside voices to stave off accusations of bias. To set the scene, Barclay takes a brief tour of Staten Island ("Shaolin" in Wu speak) and the martial arts movies that inspired the crew’s ideology. Founded in 1991, Wu-Tang formed around Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, Method Man, Raekwon the Chef, RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and OI' Dirty Bastard. As actor/rapper RZA explains, Wu-Tang stands for Wise Universal Truth Allah Now God... though he's open to other interpretations. As writer Margeaux Watson observes, "It is a typical 'Behind the Music' story," and Barclay dutifully tracks their rise, fall, and rebirth by speaking with friends, business associates, disc jockeys, and journalist-turned-A&R rep Bonz Malone, who admits he didn't get them at first. Sadly, the darkest moments revolve around ODB, who went from substance abuse to assault charges to incarceration, and passed away in 2004. Special features include Barclay's "Protect Ya Neck" video and extended interviews with Raekwon and RZA, who relates Wu’s solo-career master plan. In addition, the filmmaker discusses the making of the documentary, while ODB's widow, Iceline Jones, remembers her late husband. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

DVD

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointment Awaits, January 19, 2009

By	Jay Dizzle (Australia) - See all my reviews

First let me say I love Wu Tang.

Now the review: in a word terrible. Another couple of words, average and amateurish.

When I opened this dvd I was pretty psyched to watch it. Half an hour later I was still watching it, although a little disappointed. But I kept at it. I was sure there must be something good coming up - after all this is the story of the Wu. Newsflash - nothing exciting happens.

The only really credible sources in the dvd are divine and Poppa wu, who have interesting tid bits to add here and there.
Beyond that the others in the movie are a loud records executive and people who once lived next door to a guy who once saw gza in the street or something to that effect.

All in all this dvd was a big disappointment.

Peace out

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wu tang forever, January 3, 2009

By	Kevin Johnson (SC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

after all this time, it's good to finally get some insight on the origins of the wu in depth. good stuff

3.0 out of 5 stars Slight dissapointment, September 14, 2009

By	James Brandtjen (Cecil County, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Like most things lately from the WU, or Wu related...fairly shoddy product....I was hoping for an in depth documentary experience, and some rare footage...plenty of rare footage from the early days....but production values drop off early and even with decent interview candidates,Divinie Diggs being particularly vociferous, this was overall a very disapointing product...especialyl considering the sense that the maker is quite a fan. Maybe that was the problem.....needed to be a bit more objective, and the focus on ODB as being the sole reason for the 'downfall' of the group was a shallow analysis.....hopefully something better will come out late.r...not awful by any means, considering the dearth of similar product,, but definitely dissapointing.