7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In his film debut, director Lasse Hallström captures the offstage life and live-concert excitement of Swedish pop superstars ABBA (Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Agnetha Fältskog, playing themselves) during the group's 1977 Australian tour. Serving as the movie's framing device is a subplot about the attempts of an industrious disc jockey (Robert Hughes) seeking an exclusive interview with ABBA -- by any means necessary.
Starring: Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Robert Hughes (III)Music | 100% |
Documentary | 36% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.35:1
English: LPCM 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
I’m not exactly sure what “ABBA: The Movie” was originally intended to be when director Lasse Hallstrom first climbed aboard the production, but what he ultimately constructed out of a 10-city Australian tour in 1977 is something that not only captures the band at the peak of their popularity and musical creativity, but isolates the swirl of hysteria that greeted the group inside the one area of the world that treated their presence like a coronation. The feature is a strange hybrid of performance sequences, documentary footage, and staged shenanigans, yet it braids together wonderfully, creating a time capsule experience that’s precious to any fan of ABBA, seizing a moment in time where a clean-cut foursome wearing tight outfits, big boots, and huge smiles could rock a continent so thoroughly, bringing their exquisite harmonies and sumptuously layered pop to a corner of the globe that was craving their attention. Perhaps newcomers to the world of ABBA won’t embrace the film in full, yet Hallstrom creates such a giddy environment of interviews and stage domination, it's easy to get sucked into the touring whirlwind and appreciate this special moment in the history of a legendary group.
The AVC encoded image (2.33:1 aspect ratio, with a windowboxed opening) presentation is hampered by limited concert coverage and cruddy stage lighting, yet the basic cinematic experience is preserved with the presence of mild grain and a crisp read of Panavision boundaries. While some flicker and banding are detected, along with some print debris, the viewing experience is satisfactory without ever being truly remarkable, with issues of crush robbing difficult stage shots of depth, watching backgrounds and dark textures thicken. Fine detail is adequate for a softly shot feature that employs numerous filters to acquire a dreamy appearance, with bright exteriors bringing out the feel of clothing, the rush of sweaty anxiety, and the throngs of undulating fans gathered outside hotels and airports. Amusing particulars are found during street scenes as well, providing a crisp look at merchandise and the quirks of interviewees. Colors are a little on the faded side, but hold up fine, delivering costuming opulence as intended.
The 5.1 PCM sound mix is a volatile blend of interviews and comedy, while concert sequences create immediate immersion into the music. Highs are a touch on the shrill side, falling in line with recording equipment of the era, while a healthy low-end lays a convincing foundation of bass and percussion, helping to even out the tunes. Surrounds are inviting for group gatherings and concert mania, while the soundtrack retains crisp musicianship and personality, with comfortable separation and placement without any real sweeping directional movement. Human moments return to a frontal position, navigating accents and exasperation easily. With a movie like this, bigness counts for something, and the BD delivers on that evocative challenge, bringing concert sensations to life. A more refined balance between the highs and the lows is missing, but rarely mourned.
Frustratingly, the supplements on "ABBA: The Movie" are presented in a picture-in-picture style for reasons unknown. I have no idea who thought
this would be a good idea, needlessly complicating the viewing of vital interview and marketing efforts.
The true joy of "ABBA: The Movie" is the feel of the excited audiences and the enormity of the touring event. It's a you-are-there picture with decent laughs, cinematic texture, and incredible atmosphere, giving fans exactly what they want from an ABBA feature, only lacking true access to the personal lives of the stars. What Hallstrom lacks in intimacy he makes up for in musical firepower, making a definitive document of the band's unbelievable influence, stamping that hysteria onto celluloid to share with a world ABBA eventually decided to stop visiting in person.
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