ABBA The Movie
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Movie Reviews of ABBA The Movie
Movie Review: A Very Original Look at ABBA-Mania!
Summary: 5 Stars
As a convert from pop music crumudgen to lover of all things ABBA, I have been looking forward to the release of "ABBA The Movie" for a long time. Unfortunately, I saw release dates come and go with only that mocking Amazon.com, 2010 date shown (which basically is code for "sorry kid, your out of luck"). To my surprise the DVD has finally been released. When I first purchased this DVD, I knew absolutely nothing about it's contents. Was it a documentary about the band? A concert film? A rock opera, ETC? Well, from a totally unique and original music group, "ABBA The Movie" turns out to be a very unique and original film. Swedish Filmmaker, Lasse Hallstrom basically gives us a look at the mania, that transpired 'down under' during ABBA's monumental, 1977 concert tour of Australia. Dosn't sound that different from all the other rock movies you've seen... right? Nope! Hallstrom came up with an interesting ideal. Within the real life events he was filming, he created a fictional, narrative about a country radio DJ named Ashley Wallace (Robert Huges), who is sent on a do or die mission by his station manager to get an intimate interview with ABBA. This is pretty much an impossible mission considering, that it seems like everyone in th Aussie world is trying to get up, close & personal to the band. Sounds like a stupid, cheesy ideal for a film, right? In lesser hands this could have a disaster. But Hallstrom uses this conceit not for just cheap comedy (though there are some humourus scenes), but to take an inspired look at the mania (which seems to involve an entire continent), that surrounded the tour and the love that fans and onlookers have for this pop group. It's all things ABBA! If your looking for a personal film about Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha & Anni-Frid your out of luck. The film mostly takes the fictional DJ's viewpoint of an outsider looking into ABBA's world. The band remains from begining to end, friendly, but rather enigmatic figures, who are seemingly trapped in the almost surrealistic, circus-like world of the tour. Finally, mention should made of this film's superb concert footage. If you are looking for just a straight ahead, by the book, filming of a concert, than you will be dissapointed. Instead, interspliced throughout the film in an almost jigsaw puzzle-like fashion, we are taken on tour and see performances from cities such as Sidney, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. I've been a music fan for many years and seen a lot of concerts on film. All I can say is that Director, Lasse Hallstrom did a stupendous job filming these shows. You can just feel the energy emenating from the stage and get an ideal of what it must have been like to be there. The editing is tight and the cinematograpy is absolutely beautiful. I would put this concert footage in the same league with movies such as D.A. Pennebaker's "Don't Look Back" (Dylan), Martin Scorses' The Last Waltz (The Band) or Jonathan Demmes' "Stop making Sense" (Talking Heads). It's that good! As for the DVD its self, the remastering of the picture & sound is fantastic. From such a beautiful film transfer its' hard to believe this movie is nearly thirty years old. If there is but one complaint about this release it's the lack of any extras. It would have been great to have the trailers, some commentary tracks, outtakes or (hold your breath) more concert footage! General music fans will enjoy the film. For ABBA fanatics its' a must! Highly recommended!Movie Review: MAKE WAY FOR 5 Stars
Being relatively new as I am to the ABBA phenomenon this movie came as something of a revelation in regards to my perception of the group. Now this is NOT what you think;all you have to do is listen any ABBA album such as Waterloo to tell that the band had plenty of clever and catchy tunes outside their big hits.But as far as their visual presense I not only have never seen any interviews with the members and am obviously too young to have attended one of their concerts.All there is for me is the music. And this film gave me a little glimpse into what made the made so successful outside the musical arena. This is because of an element that seems to be the most troublesome to some reviewers-the fact that this movie has a subplot. For the most part this film revolves around an ABBA tour of Austrailia in 1978 and you see the band doing a wonderful job of performing their hits,as well as the glittery costumes,theatrical stage presense and the general sexiness of the big voiced Agnetha and Ani-Frid that made ABBA so huge in the mid to late 70's. The plot goes;a country/western DJ in Sydney Austrailia is pressed into service to get an up close and personal interview with Abba by just about any means.He knows nothing of ABBA or the phenomenon surrounding them but soon he finds himself in a dizzying world of ABBA mania in the urban area of the city.ABBA soveniers are everywhere and we watch as the DJ interviews everyone from kids,parents to seniors about how the feel about ABBA as he attends the concerts.Shortly after a realistic dream in which he and the members of ABBA become close friends,his constant rejections for interviews are finally satisfied after he learns why ABBA are so important to the people:the music has great beats,everyone can sing along and the band really just want to keep making good music. We knew it all along but the plot really does express the impact ABBA had on the industry at the time. I think what distracts people from the plot is that aside from the wonderful concert and video montage footage of ABBA we only see a press conference and a few backstage moments with the members themselves.Through the DJ's dizzying journey we learn a little about the members backround and personalities,we also learn of Agnetha's struggles with the English language now and then and how it's made her self conscious.We also find that Ani-Frid is a bit surprised to learn of the qualities people impart upon her as a public sex symbol. And when the DJ's finaly get ABBA alone for his interview he finds four open,friendly people open to a little converse in an elevator.But what makes it onto his program are not so much the interview with the band but the views of the people he met along the way. It's a simple,easy story surrounded by excellent onstage footage of ABBA at their peak. And it's a good movie for even the casual ABBA fan to watch and enjoy.Movie Review: I loove this Movie!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, I was blessed enough to grow up during a time when ABBA Ruled The World. I grew up listening to Mama Mia, Dancing Queen, Waterloo and SOS. I was so excited to see this film was finally released and, to top it off, remastered! The film looks incredible and the sound is equally amazing.
I won't regurgitate what you already know from reading the other comments. The movie by Lasse Halstrom, is a Mockumentary. It follows the exploits of a fictitous reporter trying to collect an interview with ABBA. There sets in motion a story of one man trying to get an audience with the legendary band on the leg of an extraordinary tour through Australia. Yes, the movie is told from the "reporters" point of view but there is plenty of real concert footage of the band at the height of their success. Yes, the only band that outsold ABBA was the Beatles. Most folks in this country don't realize how extraordinary a pop band and phenomenon they were but just take a trip to Europe and ask anyone, and I mean anyone, over the age of 35 if they know who ABBA is and they will respond with "Oh, they're the greatest band that ever was". So, what are you wating for. Buy this dang video. It's mean't for those that "lived" the phenomenon and for those young folks that simply are discoving ABBA through the stage hit and soon to be successful movie, Mama Mia, then just get this dvd and you'll appreciate what we who lived through the phenomenon already know. ABBA once ruled the world and this dvd is testament to just how "big" they were.
Movie Review: It's A Documentary and, I Guess, A Quasi-Musical
Summary: 5 Stars
In a way, it is a musical. The plot is thin, yes, and can get quite tedious after seeing the DJ get dejected and missing them until the end, but its still one. Like when he's shocked that a ticket costs $50 some guy is trying to sell him in the beginning, cue Money, Money, Money (I know I'm stretching it, but in certain explanations, they do seem stretched). But that's besides the point. This, along with certain other ABBA DVDs, is the only way to see them live, because, as most fans know, they didn't like to travel. And its a real treat to hear Get on the Carousel as they'll probably never release it on any kind of music format. The other songs sound great live especially SOS, Money, Money, Money, He Is Your Brother, Intermezzo No. 1, Why Did It Have to Be Me, Fernando, Dancing Queen (actually, all the songs sound good live). The three music videos (The Name of the Game, Eagle and Thank You For the Music) are in the movie, mainly (like anything that girl, you know who I mean, the one from the Disney Channel, she's like Superman/Clark Kent except with a bad wig and she likes to "leak" suggestive pictures of herself onto the Internet but still calls herself a roll model for young girls, puts out with that garbage show/concert "movie"/feature length "movie") just to plug them as the songs that will be featured on their next album (aptly titled "The Album").Movie Review: ABBA Forever!
Summary: 5 Stars
Sometimes, living in Europe pays! I am a proud owner of this DVD for sometime, having it ordered from Sweden, along with their DVD release of "Chess" the musical.
Director Lasse Hallström and his crew did a real feat with this movie, which was shot on a real tour with real troubles all that jazz brings with it. In an interview on the disc two, ABBA guys claim that they didn't know that there is going to be a movie, while they were on tour. They suspected something seeing all the big cameras, but only afterward, when they had to shoot some additional things did they become aware of the seriousness of the project. The crew weren't allowed in their Hotel rooms, so what you see in the film was shot in a hotel in Stockholm. But it all seems so real in the movie... The story isn't that much engaging, but it is a wonder they pulled that much, given the circumstances. On the other side, we get real ABBA performances, shot in glorious panavision and with at least five cameras and in beautiful DTS sound. I am really delighted to have this!
BTW, ABBA's "Waterloo" won as the best song in 50 years of Eurovision song Contest history in an event held in Copenhagen last saturday (October 22. 2005.), wich really proves that ABBA is forever!
Benny Anderson commented: I personally voted for "Volare", but I am glad so many people voted for us :)