Phil Collins: Going Back Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Phil Collins: Going Back Blu-ray Movie Review

This is a very special Blu-ray release. In the tiny booklet provided with it, there is a nice article by Phil Collins in which he explains that the music performed on it is the music that he listened to while growing up in the 60s, performed in London's nightclubs and sold in the local music shops he often visited. It was the kind of music that inspired him to dream big - the Motown and soul music. Naturally, Phil Collins: Going Back is a special tribute, a dream come true.

Filmed at New York City's notorious Roseland Ballroom earlier this year, Phil Collins: Going Back contains a total of twenty six Motown and soul classics, which Collins loved as a kid. Assisted by Motown's original backing band - guitarists Eddie Willis and Ray Monette, of The Funk Brothers, guitarist Darryl Stuermer, bassist Bob Babbitt, drummer Chester Thompson, as well as two members of Genesis' live band - Collins sings "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)", "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever", "Blame It On The Sun", "Take Me In Your Arms, Rock Me A Little While", and "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone", amongst others, in front of a small but very appreciative crowd.

I liked Phil Collins: Going Back a lot, but it appears that many people who have already seen it did not. I have a pretty good idea why, but I'd rather tell you why I liked it, and hopefully you would agree with me that this is indeed a special tribute.

I've followed closely Collins' career during the years, and what I've always liked about him is that his singing was never influenced by the latest trends. Collins never tried to imitate other artists, he simply sang as he wanted, and, as cliche as it may sound, a lot of people responded to his music because they felt that it was real.

I feel the same about Phil Collins: Going Back. Yes, the show is far from perfect - Collins has aged and his voice isn't as good as it once was (“Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)”), and even though the band is fantastic, the new arrangements for some of the classics he performs are not terribly convincing either ("Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever"). But there is a personal touch to everything Collins sings that makes the entire show look and feel like an exciting reunion - you know the singer, you know the songs, but the feeling is different.

So if you are expecting to see Collins matching the likes of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder in Phil Collins: Going Back, you would be gravely disappointed. I don't believe the show was meant to be such an ambitious experiment, and I don't believe Collins was trying to prove anything with it. Simply put, Phil Collins: Going Back is a labor of love, inspired by Collins' desire to perform the songs that influenced him many years ago while he still can.

Going Back

Phil Collins: Going Back 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", Phil Collins: Going Back arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Filmed at New York City's notorious Roseland Ballroom earlier this year, Phil Collins: Going Back looks lovely - clarity is pleasing and contrast levels very good throughout the entire show. The stage lighting is excellent; the heavy blue lights in particular create a wonderful ambient atmosphere. Additionally, a number of strategically positioned cameras follow Collins, the choir, and the band on the small but very elegant stage. Mild motion-judder is occasionally easy to spot, but it is never an issue of concern; neither is pixelation. Lastly, I did not see any transfer-specific anomalies to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Phil Collins: Going Back Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. I opted for the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons for the purpose of this review.

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is strong - the sound is crisp and clear, and there is a wide range of dynamics. The balance between the vocals and the band is also pleasing (the choir in particular is mixed quite well); the various prominent solos ("Papa Was A Rollin' Stone") sound great, and I did not notice any problematic dynamic fluctuations. Lastly, the crowd noise is prominent but never overwhelming. All in all, I was pleased with the mixing and the integrity of the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. For the record, I did not detect any problematic pops, cracks, or audio dropouts to report in this review.

This is the first Eagle Rock Entertainment Blu-ray release that I've seen featuring a Dolby TrieHD 5.1 track. It is a good one. I tested a couple of different songs with it, and as far as I am concerned it is practically identical to the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

Phil Collins: Going Back Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Rehearsal Footage - "Going Back" Rehearsals from Gland, Switzerland, June 2010, with an optional audio commentary by Phil Collins. In English, with optional English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Dutch subtitles. (15 min, 1080i).

• Interview - quite a fascinating interview with Phil Collins in which discusses his family, his passion for music, and his career. In English, with optional English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Dutch subtitles. (15 min, 1080i).

• Booklet - a small booklet containing a statement by Phil Collins.

Phil Collins: Going Back Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As long as one approaches Phil Collins: Going Back with the right set of expectations, I cannot see how one could not enjoy it. It is a wonderful tribute. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment, looks and sounds very good. It is also attractively priced and Region-Free. RECOMMENDED.