Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Metallica: Français pour une nuit: Live aux Arènes de Nîmes 2009 Blu-ray Movie Review

Update: I have been informed that Metallica: Français pour une nuit can now be purchased directly from Amazon. The Blu-ray disc will also be available for sale in the United Kingdom on March 8.

I think that it is appropriate to begin this review with a small rant. During the last couple of weeks, I received quite a few emails from different people asking that we review Metallica: Français pour une nuit. A few of our readers also wanted to know why this Blu-ray disc isn’t available for sale in North America. Having just finished watching Metallica: Français pour une nuit, and being thoroughly impressed by it, I find myself pondering the same question. It is quite ironic that perhaps the greatest heavy metal band still around, which happens to be based in North America, is treated with greater respect overseas. Well, Ces't la vie...I guess!

Metallica: Français pour une nuit was recorded live on July 7, 2009 at the Arena of Nimes, a centuries-old Roman amphitheater, located in Nimes, France. As indicated on Metallica's official web page, this was a 100% French project, filmed, recorded and edited by a 100% French crew. Even the original design for the limited box used for the SDVD and BD releases was designed by Frenchmen.

The actual concert is really quite incredible. Hundreds of people waving French flags and singing "Seek & Destroy" with James is quite a special view, one that you must see to truly appreciate. Or the giant flares before "One" followed by Kirk's opening riffs - and then the crowd again going totally crazy.

Aside from old hits such as "Sad But True", "Fade to Black", "Master of Puppets" and "Enter Sandman," Metallica also performed some newer material, specifically "Cyanide", "The Day That Never Comes", "All Nightmare Long", and the electrifying "Broken, Beat & Scarred," all of which appear on the band's latest studio album "Death Magnetic" (2008). James, Lars, Kirk and Robert also did a fascinating cover of Queen's classic "Stone Cold Crazy."

What makes this concert truly special, however, is the energy. During the years, we've seen Metallica rocking their fans more than once - do you remember when they performed in front of 500 000 people at the Tushino Air Field in the former U.S.S.R, or when they played together with AC/DC, Motley Crew, Queensryche and The Black Crowes at Donington in 1991 - but they were younger and a lot wilder then. Now, all of these guys are over 45, and to see them playing with the same passion and energy is indeed quite remarkable.

French for one night

Metallica: Français pour une nuit: Live aux Arènes de Nîmes 2009 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Metallica: Français pour une nuit arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal Music (in cooperation with Canal+).

This exclusive French Blu-ray release is very, very impressive. In fact, the image quality is so strong, at times it feels like the show was shot in 1080p, not 1080i. Clarity and contrast levels, in particular, are exceptional. During many of the panoramic shots - and there are plenty of them, revealing what an incredible venue the Arena of Nimes is - you could easily see the faces of those fans that are way back, at the very end of the theater, having the time of their life. Furthermore, only once I noticed a bit of motion-judder, as the camera zoomed quickly to follow up James Hetfield. The show is also practically free of digital noise. Macroblocking is not a serious issue of concern either.

The stage lighting is excellent; not fancy but very effective. Furthermore, the multiple strategically positioned cameras offer a variety of different looks from the unique stage and the ecstatic Metallica fans. This being said, there is one specific camera that must have been placed extremely close to the speakers, as I noticed some mild shaking during "Fade to Black" and "Stone Cold Crazy." All in all, however, the image quality is exceptionally high, and I cannot imagine anyone being even remotely disappointed by it.

Note: The main menu can be set in one of the following languages: English, French, Spanish, German, or Italian. This is also a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no PAL data preceding the main menu.

Metallica: Français pour une nuit: Live aux Arènes de Nîmes 2009 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0. There are optional subtitles only for the supplemental features.

Metallica fans will be thrilled with the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. James' voice sounds incredibly crisp and clear, Kirk's solos are equally sharp, and Robert's playing about as infectious as it could be. Lars - well, he is in a different universe. For a live show, the balance is great. The are no sudden dropouts, lost guitar solos, or fading vocals. Also, I specifically would like to mention how good the high frequencies are. The surround channels are not overly active, but are certainly used in a very intelligent manner. Additionally, there are absolutely no annoying audio distortions that I heard. All in all, there have been no compromises with the audio treatment, which is why I am absolutely certain that if you are a fan of Metallica and their raw sound, you would be thrilled with this exclusive French Blu-ray disc.

The LPCM 2.0 track isn't disappointing, but I did not find it to be overly convincing. During "Sad But True," for example, it clearly lacks the potency of the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Some of the crowd noise has also been pushed back substantially. However, there are no specific technical flaws that I noticed with it.

Metallica: Français pour une nuit: Live aux Arènes de Nîmes 2009 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: Please note that all of the supplemental features are in 480/60i. Therefore, they are perfectly playable on all Region-A PS3s and SA.

Interview - an interesting collage of interviews with the members of Metallica, in which they talk about promoting their new album, the joy of touring again, how special it is to perform in a venue as the Arena of Nimes, how they've changed during the years, etc. The questions are asked by a French journalist, in French, and are subtitled in English. James, Lars, Kirk and Robert's answers, of course, are in English. (38 min).

Mon concert Matallica - five lucky winners won the right to film the concert freely from the Arena of Nimes. Each "film" is included on the Blu-ray disc:

Aris Kaprielian - (2 min).
Thomas Pokker - (3 min).
Christophe Massot - (3 min).
Emmanuel Paul - (3 min).
Dider Gilles - (2 min).

Metallica: Français pour une nuit: Live aux Arènes de Nîmes 2009 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Metallica: Français pour une nuit is one hell of a show. The exclusive French Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Universal Music, looks and sounds great. It is also Region-Free. Absolutely, we wholeheartedly endorse it. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.