W.A.S.P. Re-Idolized Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

W.A.S.P. Re-Idolized Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 21, 2018

Blackie Lawless' "Re-Idolized" (2017) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Napalm Records. In addition to the film, the release includes the original soundtrack on two separate CDs. Also included is a twenty-two page booklet with the complete lyrics for "Re-Idolized", as well as original illustrations. Region-Free.

The rejected son

The personal and professional lives of W.A.S.P.’s vocalist and leader, Blackie Lawless, are so closely intertwined that anyone that attempts to understand the remarkable transformation that he underwent over the years while looking at them from different angles would almost certainly miss the obvious: they are two equal parts of the same struggle. During the ‘80s, when heavy metal ruled the airwaves, the latter was simply easier to access, explore and manipulate, which is why it also shaped up Blackie’s mainstream image. It was much later on, after grunge replaced heavy metal, that bits of the former became more accessible and those who stuck with W.A.S.P. began to understand what the shock value of the band’s music was really about. The corporate players that enriched themselves from W.A.S.P.’s popularity during the ‘80s, however, no longer cared -- The Idol had delivered what they were after and they had moved on. This isn’t exactly a revelatory story, but when trying to understand exactly who Blackie was when he and the rest of the boys from W.A.S.P. were tagged "sexual perverts" and who he is now, it is important to keep in mind.

Now, more than three decades after such songs as “Harder, Faster”, “I Wanna Be Somebody”, “B.A.D”, “Wild Child”, and “The Last Command”, it is pretty clear what Blackie felt during the early stages of his career -- it was pure anger and a desire to crush the fake morality standards that had transformed him into a villain. It is the very reason why W.A.S.P.’s early shows were more about creating controversy and gaining mainstream exposure through it than about great music. The villain had become a rebel, and the more unhinged he was, the more records W.A.S.P. sold. The dirty lyrics, the shocking imagery and stage performances, the public clashes with Tipper Gore and her committee, all of it was part of his plan to be a successful disruptor.

“The Crimson Idol” album arrived in 1992 and it was Blackie’s artistic confession. It is a concept album that tells the story of the banished rebel Jonathan Aaron Steele who becomes a rock star and later on self-destructs, but its tracks actually carry a lot of the frustration, euphoria and pain that Blackie experienced over the years as the leader of W.A.S.P. In a way, it opens the door to Blackie’s soul.

“Re-Idolized” celebrates the 25th anniversary of the original album and introduces the complete version of the film about Steele that years ago was supposed to complement it. It is a highly-stylized rock film, as well as the soundtrack, that adds images to the lyrics that chronicled the rebel’s saga.

*The film was directed by Ralph Ziman, produced by Benji Howell, and narrated and executive produced by Blackie. All music was mixed and mastered by Logan Mader, and recorded at Fort Apache Recording Studio, California.

CONTENT

RE-IDOLIZED: THE MOVIE BLU-RAY/DVD

1. The Titanic Overture
2. The Invisible Boy
3. Arena Pleasure
4. Chainsaw Charlie (Murders in the New Morgue)
5. The Gypsy Meets the Boy
6. Doctor Rockter
7. I Am One
8. The Idol
9. Hold On To My Heart
10. The Great Misconceptions of Me
11. Jonathan's Farewell

CD ONE

1. The Titanic Overture
2. The Invisible Boy
3. Arena Of Pleasure
4. Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue)
5. The Gypsy Meets The Boy
6. Michael’s Song
7. Miss You
8. Doctor Rockter

CD TWO

9. I Am One
10. The Idol
11. Hold On To My Heart
12. Hey Mama
13. The Lost Boy
14. The Peace
15. Show Time
16. The Great Misconceptions of Me

BOOKLET
Twenty-two page booklet with complete lyrics for Re-Idolized and original illustrations.

W.A.S.P. Re-Idolized Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i transfer, Re-Idolized arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Napalm Records.

The complete version of the film has a highly-stylized appearance and it is very difficult to judge the technical merits of the presentation. There is plenty of intentional image distortion as well as color degrading that are used to enhance the dramatic nature of the rebel's story. Rather predictably, density levels fluctuate a lot, and there is even some added fading to that produces additional contrasts. Also the transfer is encoded in 1080i, but my guess is that it is how the film was finalized. Either way, the end result is very unique, and I think that the visuals complement the music really well. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play on your player regardless of your geographical location).

W.A.S.P. Re-Idolized Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on the Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English subtitles are not provided for the main feature.

All of the music was finalized in a studio environment so the quality of the lossless track is as desired by Blackie Lawless and Logan Mader. I thought that depth, clarity, and balance were very nice, and the narration also very easy to understand. I did not detect any issues in terms of dynamic balance either. There are no audio dropouts or distortions.

W.A.S.P. Re-Idolized Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Please see the listings in the main review above.

W.A.S.P. Re-Idolized Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

W.A.S.P. were one of the classic 'bad' bands when heavy metal ruled the airwaves and unlike so many of their competitors they knew how to create great music and sell it even better. Their early shows were legendary. As one of their loyal fans from the old days, I also remain convinced that Blackie was, and still is, one of the great vocalists of his generation. His life has been a remarkable roller-coaster and the transformation that he underwent in recent years has made me admire his talent and strength even more. Re-Idolized is a gift for the fans that still cherish the original album and understand the value of the lyrics that are part of it. Great project. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.