Keven's Blu-ray Review: U2 – From The Sky Down
From Academy Award winning Documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, comes one of the most honest looks at one of the most infamous rock bands – ever. Not since Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster has there ever been a music documentary that really peels back the layers of mystery and intrigue.
The Film
I will say right out the gate that I preferred Pearl Jam: Twenty simply because it felt more collaborative and retrospective of the music 'scene'. This documentary is very honest and eye opening but it's lacking some heart. 'From The Sky Down' takes a look back at how U2 had to re-invent themselves in order to survive during a time when they no longer fit in with their original fans who they alienated during their escapades overseas. Although the movie focuses on the making and revisiting of one album in particular, 'Achtung Baby', it's truly a documentary on the band's entire history.
It's fascinating just to observe Bono and the guys rehearsing the older material and even more fascinating to hear Bono complain about the material as they try to re-learn it all. It was nice to hear Bono confirm how much of an egotistical prick he can sometimes come off as, right from his own mouth. He would admit that he was not a productive front-man during the past and struggles with his 'leadership' role to this day.
I'm a casual U2 fan and the documentary was very interesting. That being said, I'm not sure it's going to appeal to a wide demographic. The documentary begins to slow its pace significantly halfway through and this will turn off quite a few people who aren't fans of the band. The movie looks and sounds fantastic but there seems to be a spark missing from the documentary overall. Guggenheim does his research well, but not even the band can completely salvage what can come off at times as boring 'two in the morning A&E programming'. If you're a fan, get this and get it now. Otherwise, wait for the re-runs on BBC.
Special Features Breakdown
Live performances "So Cruel," "Love Is Blindness," "The Fly" - These short performances, from the band's visit to Hansa Studios, are cool but not revolutionary. It would have been nice to see some more live performance footage, but I understand that 'From The Sky Down' is a documentary and not a concert flick.
Q&A with Bono, The Edge, and Davis Guggenheim - I highly recommend this for any fan of the popular groups. Spotlighting interviews recorded at the Toronto International Film Festival, it's a very informative feature.
In 2011, U2 returned to Hansa Studios in Berlin to discuss the making of Achtung Baby. From The Sky Down, is a documentary film directed by Academy Award winning director Davis Guggenheim (It Might Get Loud, Waiting for Superman, An Inconvenient Truth).
Screened in the UK as part of the BBC's Imagine Series, From The Sky Down was the first ever documentary film to open the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival. From The Sky Down includes bonus footage of So Cruel, Love Is Blindness, and The Fly shot in May 2011 during the band's visit to Hansa Studios to mark the 20th anniversary of Achtung Baby; as well as a Q&A with Bono, The Edge and Davis Guggenheim filmed at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2011.
Twenty years after the release of U2's Achtung Baby (1991), Davis Guggenheim charts the path toward this groundbreaking album. Guggenheim uses animation and unseen footage from Berlin and Dublin alongside conversation to reveal what is now a key chapter in U2's career.
U2 – From The Sky Down is available on Blu-ray and DVD now!
