The Rolling Stones: Live at the Max Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.0

The Rolling Stones: Live at the Max Blu-ray Movie Review

Like most music lovers, during the years I amassed a large collection of Rolling Stones studio and concert albums. I bought audio tapes, CDs, VHS tapes and DVDs. One of the very first Blu-rays I added up to my collection was Jean-Luc Godard’s Sympathy For The Devil (also containing One + One), featuring The Stones, which was released in France through local distributors Carlotta Films.

I don’t have a favorite album, though I prefer what The Stones did during late 60s and early 70s. Beggars Banquet (1968), Between the Buttons (1969), Get Her-Ya Ya’s Out (1970), and Metamorphosis (1975) are amongst the albums that I always go back to when I am in a mood for some good old rock music. This said, despite the fact that in recent years The Stones have once again gathered momentum, I think that their time has passed.

In America, however, The Stones still have a strong image. In 2006, the band performed at Super Bowl XL in Detroit, and hundreds of thousands of their fans applauded them. Their Bigger Bang Tour also proved successful – it became the highest grossing tour of all time.

Rolling Stones: Live At The Max contains footage from the band’s much talked about at the time “Steel Wheels” tour set, which was launched in 1989. It was a grandiose return for the British rockers after a relatively quiet period of self-reflection. Guns’ N’ Roses and Living Colour appeared as their opening acts.

Rolling Stones: Live At The Max was initially released on SDVD in 1999 by Image Entertainment. It was fairly well received and a number of cable providers eventually ended up including the show in their program listings.

However, truth be told, Rolling Stones: Live At The Max is not amongst the best shows the band has done during the years. First, this is a notably uneven presentation that includes only 16 songs, so obviously there is quite a bit that was left on the cutting floor. Second, The Stones really aren’t at the top of their game here - though, technically they have never really been a superb live band to begin with. Third, there are a number of back-up singers and performers – Chuck Leavell (keyboards); Matt Clifford (keyboards); Bobby Keys (Saxophone); the “Uptown Horns” Crispin Cioe, Arno Hecht, Hollywood Paul Litteral, and Bob Funk; and Bernard Fowler (vocals), Lorelei McBroom (vocals), and Sophia Jones (vocals) - that simply look out of place next to Mick Jagger and the rest of the guys.

Technically, however, Rolling Stones: Live At The Max does not disappoint. Filmed in IMAX, this is a terrific show with some breathtaking visuals. I cannot, however, single out any of them given that many will likely resonate differently with different viewers. With other words, Rolling Stones: Live At The Max truly is for those who wish to experience what seeing The Stones live would feel like, not for those hoping to gain a whole new appreciation of their music.

Start Me Up

The Rolling Stones: Live at the Max Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Rolling Stones: Live At The Max arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal Music.

This is a tremendous upgrade over the old SDVD release by Image Entertainment, and Universal Music deserve a lot of credit for it. When blown through a digital projector, Rolling Stones: Live At The Max looks incredible. Detail is excellent, clarity very good and contrast consistent from start to finish. The large panoramic shots showing a sea of fans jumping up and down have to be seen to be believed - especially those that show the crowd and the band from way back are stupendous. The color-scheme is rich and vibrant. The terrific stage lighting is very effective, and, as cliche as it may sound, I am absolutely certain that many of you who already have the SDVD release of Rolling Stones: Live At The Max will be thoroughly impressed with how different everything looks in high-definition. There are absolutely no stability issues to report in this review. I also did not detect any disturbing flecks, scratches, debris, or dirt. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it in your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

The Rolling Stones: Live at the Max 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. I opted for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons with the LPCM 2.0 track for the purpose of this review. For the record, Universal Music have not provided optional English subtitles.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track captures and enhances a lot of the crowd noise. During "Start Me Up", "Ruby Tuesday" and "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", for example, at times it is very difficult to hear the guitars. Mick Jagger's singing, however, is typically quite convincing (there are no sudden dropouts). Dynamically the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track does not disappoint - the music will fill up your room and you would truly feel as if you were at the show.

The LPCM 2.0 track is also of excellent quality, but it is not capable of recreating the same type of atmosphere the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track can sustain. For example, if you compare the opening bars of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", you would immediately notice that the LPCM 2.0 misses a wave of crowd noise that makes it one of the most exciting songs from the show.

The Rolling Stones: Live at the Max Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Most unfortunately, there are absolutely no supplemental features to be found on this Blu-ray disc whatsoever.

The Rolling Stones: Live at the Max Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I tend to agree with Roger Ebert's observation that "the music is not really the point" in Rolling Stones: Live At The Max. You want to see this show for the visuals, the type of experience the IMAX presentation allows for. It is incredible! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.