Neil Young Journeys Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.0

Neil Young Journeys Blu-ray Movie Review

Is this a journey worth taking?

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 25, 2012

One of the preeminent names in music and one of the most respected filmmakers working in Hollywood today collaborate to create Neil Young Journeys, a hybrid Documentary/Concert film that intercuts Young performing several of his most cherished hits, new releases, and previously unreleased songs with candid footage of the acclaimed artist driving from his hometown of Omemee, Ontario to Toronto for a live performance at the legendary Massey Hall. It's simple but effective filmmaking, perhaps made for a specific audience but a generally pleasurable experience for longtime Neil Young fans yearning for an intimate portrait -- or something resembling an intimate portrait -- of their musical hero. Neil Young Journeys is shaped more by its music than it is face time with Young. It's an interesting piece that should work well for newcomers and longtime Young fans both; there's a little something in here for everybody, and at the very least the dominant concert scenes should offer audiences either a taste of Young's style or a new performance through which to enjoy their favorite songs, depending on how well they already know Young and his music.

Neil Young.

From the passenger's side of a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria, filmmaker Jonathan Demme films music legend Neil Young's May 11, 2011, +/- 134 kilometer (thanks, Google maps!) drive from Omemee, Ontario to Toronto's Massey Hall. Young and the camera follow behind Young's brother's Cadillac for a relaxing, evenly paced drive down memory lane. Young embarks on a driving and walking tour of various sights important to him in his youth, such as family and friend homes, places where he fished, and the spot from which he ate tar off the road (don't ask, just watch the movie). Young and Demme even pass by an elementary school named for Young's father. The film is dominated, however, by Young's Massey Hall performance to an energetic crowd.

There's an interesting dichotomy within Neil Young Journeys, and that's both its wide and limited appeal. The films' concert footage -- which comprises the bulk of the brief sub-90 minute runtime -- is utterly fantastic; it sounds great, is well photographed, and offers a nice array of Young's music. The music is alone worth the cost of the film, and it should please all but the most ardent of Young's critics (does such a person exist?). On the other side is the relaxed introspection that might satisfy Young's most fervent, gotta-know-everything-about-him fans. Casual viewers, however, might find the material a little bland and/or not particularly compelling. There's not a lot of deep insight, just as backstage access is rather limited in the concert footage.

The following songs are performed in concert:

• Peaceful Valley Boulevard
• Ohio
• Down By the River
• Sign of Love
• Rumbling
• Love and War
• Leia
• After the Gold Rush
• I Believe in You
• My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)
• You Never Call
• Hitchhiker
• Walk With Me

Neil Young Journeys Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Neil Young Journeys appears to have been photographed on lower-end HD video equipment. The result is a shaky but acceptable image that's raw and never really all that visually dazzling but at the same time satisfactory given the intimate nature of the film. It's a bit noisy and unstable with a few jagged lines and blown-out bright backdrops. Colors are fair but hardly vibrant, generally natural and pleasant but not necessarily rich or up to the same level of excellence as one might find in higher-end productions. Black levels go a bit bright at times but are generally deep and true. Details are merely acceptable, offering adequate textures on Young's worn hat, clothes, scruffy face, and instruments. There's nothing overly complex, but none of the imagery appears particularly soft or poorly defined. Overall, this is Neil Young Journeys looking probably as good as it can, which does make this an acceptable release; it's just a matter of whether some audiences will be pleased with the end result.

Neil Young Journeys Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Neil Young Journeys features a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 channel lossless soundtrack, or at least robust during the concert footage. The first seconds of the first song literally send a jolt through the system; the first notes of Peaceful Valley Boulevard reverberate and delight, playing loudly but with excellent clarity and muscle. Bass can be a touch rattly, but the songs play with a good deal of power and precision that places the audience right there near the stage, enveloped by cheering crowds that surround the listener every time they make their presence known. The film opens with an exterior shot that brings a nice city din into the soundstage, and it's followed by an equally pleasant scene of concert hall preparation where chatter, tool work, and the like gently surround the listener. Dialogue inside the car can sound a touch hollow at times, but clarity is otherwise fine. The track's musical elements are superb, the rest of it understandably wishy-washy given the guerrilla style of the shoot. Overall, the track is quite good for what it is.

Neil Young Journeys Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Neil Young Journeys contains three primary supplements and an assortment of trailers.

• Journey to Slamdance: A Conversation with Neil Young & Jonathan Demme (HD, 35:35): The musician and the filmmaker sit down with Moderator Paul Rachman for a Q&A session.
• 92Y Talks with Neil Young & Jonathan Demme (HD, 33:32): The musician and the filmmaker sit down for a chat with the nonprofit organization.
• Making Journeys (HD, 6:35): A short piece with Young and Demme discussing the history of their lengthy collaboration and the storytelling nature of the concert photography.
• Neil Young Journeys Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:04).
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.

Neil Young Journeys Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is a film all about perspective, expectations, and audience. Neil Young Journeys will satisfy fans in search of a one-on-one journey with Neil Young. It will also please those who enjoy his music, but the most casual of audiences might find themselves a bit bored with the rest of the film. That's certainly not a knock on either Young or Demme; the film is simple yet well made but may not appeal to a very wide audience. That's something to keep in mind, but it's also important to note that the music is fabulous and is alone worth the price of admission. Sony's Blu-ray release of Neil Young Journeys features serviceable lower-end HD video photography, good lossless audio, and a few extras. Recommended to the proper audiences as outlined throughout the review.