INXS: Live Baby Live Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.0

INXS: Live Baby Live Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 29, 2020

Update: It's been reported now that the 1080 disc in the 4K UHD set is region free, perhaps alleviating at least some worries based on the "confusing situation" mentioned below.

Eagle Rock Entertainment has long been one of the “go to” labels for concert fare, and I know based on my own reaction to an initial press release as well as a surprising amount of messaging I received about INXS Live Baby Live Wembley Stadium that many were excited by the fact that Eagle Rock is evidently moving into the 4K UHD format with this release. Expectations may need to be tempered somewhat, as it turns out that (according to Eagle Rock’s press representative, who stated outright this was "a confusing situation") the 4K UHD disc is only available as an import, evidently with a Region Free 1080 Blu-ray included. That may put the kibosh on some folks’ plans to get this release in that format, but the good news is that the 1080 Blu-ray being released in the Region A market sports nice technical merits, including a Dolby Atmos track, which may help at least soften the blow of no 4K UHD version being “instantly” available for those of us on this side of the pond.

This now legendary concert was filmed before almost 74,000 fans packed into Wembley Stadium on what the cover says was a "hot July evening" (evidently different from a certain Neil Diamond concert) in 1991. This is a high energy performance, with some really appealing vocals from Michael Hutchence and good, propulsive playing from the band. The set list for the evening was:

Guns in the Sky
New Sensation
I Send a Message
The Stairs
Know the Difference
Disappear
By My Side
Hear That Sound
Original Sin
Lately
The Loved One
Wild Life
Mystify
Bitter Tears
Suicide Blonde
What You Need
Kick
Need You Tonight
Mediate
Never Tear Us Apart
Who Pays the Price
Devil Inside
Shining Star (Credits)

INXS: Live Baby Live Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Update: In a glitch I can only ascribe to some inexplicable ghost in the machine, I had both BDInfo and Power DVD report this presentation as progressive, and so my review initially stated that. I've since played this in my 4K player, where it's showing as interlaced, so I'm updating the review to indicate that, especially since other people's equipment evidently is showing interlaced as well.

INXS: Live Baby Live Wembley Stadium is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Vision, an imprint of Eagle Rock Entertainment, with an AVC encoded 1080i transfer in 1.88:1. The initial press release I received, which we reproduced in our news announcement of this release, stated (rather breathlessly):

This masterclass in showmanship and musicianship has been painstakingly restored over a twelve-month period from the original 35mm negative in 4K, and is now presented in cinematic widescreen for this first time ever.

The restored version was created by shot-by-shot repositioning to get the best out of the frame. To accompany the astonishing visual upgrade, the audio was also remixed in full Dolby Atmos, created by Giles Martin, the band's Executive Music Director, and Sam Okell at Abbey Road Studios.

Both that "cinematic widescreen" and "shot-by-shot repositioning" are probably clues that this had a different original aspect ratio, and the IMDb is reporting that it was originally released in 1.33:1. That might seem like things are going to be almost comically realigned for such a wide aspect ratio in this version, but aside from wishing the framings could get a little closer to the guys at times, I didn't notice anything that struck me as downright ludicrous. There is a lot of space on the sides of many shots featuring Hutchence or one of the other guys in a "solo" moment, but on the whole framings looked relatively decent to my eyes. Detail levels are quite good throughout, though again probably because of the "shot-by-shot repositioning", there are a glut of midrange framings where fine detail levels can ebb and flow. The blacks are a little milky at times, and there's a rather odd almost salmon tint to some of this, especially in terms of some of the audience shots, where the entire front part of the audience is bathed in almost pearly pink tones for some reason (I don't think it's spill from the stage lighting, but perhaps it is). Grain can look a little pixellated at times against the skies that are occasionally seen in shots of the stadium, and there are a couple of aerial shots that look like they probably weren't from a native 35mm source.

INXS: Live Baby Live Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

INXS: Live Baby Live Wembley Stadium features Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 tracks, and for once all three sound great within their own contexts. I'm often on record (no pun intended) complaining that a lot of the concert video surround tracks tend to bury vocals at times as a perhaps intentional trade off to give a good accounting of the live sonics and crowd noises, but in both the Atmos and 5.1 tracks, vocals are mixed forward (where I personally feel they should be), without sacrificing any of the energy or nuance of the instrumental assortments. I frankly didn't hear a ton of difference between the Atmos and 5.1 tracks, but for once I have no qualms recommending either of these tracks in comparison to the fine if obviously narrower stereo track.

INXS: Live Baby Live Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There are no supplements offered on the disc. The insert booklet has a few more pages than is typical and includes some writing (in absolutely miniscule font) from the guys, along with quite a few stills.

INXS: Live Baby Live Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hey, if you know anyone who would like to help me fix the world by putting me in charge of everything, please have them contact me, as one of the newest items I'd add to my "to do" list is urging Blu-ray labels not to heavily tout their first 4K UHD release and then make that release available only as an import. For those unconcerned about that particular format, this Blu-ray offers a high point in INXS' 1990s concert life with remastered video and audio. Technical merits are solid, and INXS Live Baby Live Wembley Stadium comes Recommended.