American Massive (Techno/Dance)
Picture: B- Sound: B Extras: D
Film: C+
Moonshine Music is the
premiere record label for the dance/electronic music industry and is also
responsible for the branch off of Moonshine Movies, which in this presentation
brings us a look into the popular Rave scene that at one point in time
dominated the underground world of music.
Just like a bad fad, this movement has slowly tapered off, but captured
here in American Massive, we are
able to once again check out what made this movement what is was and/or is
today.
This documentary was made
during the 2000 tour when the Rave scene was at its height and chronicles the
events through the life behind the party, the D.J.’s, the promoters, the
artists, and the kids that came from all over.
This all took place over a total of 24 cities in a 32 day period and the
sad reality after watching this is just what kind of affects these events
had. To think that something this
massive could be still kept secretive to some extent. At least most parents were not aware of
‘what’s going on’ at these things. Sure
it’s a bunch of music and dancing, just like Woodstock right?
Yeah, add the drugs, the sex, and the other things you don’t want them
knowing about.
This is almost like one of
those programs that people buy just to justify some sort of means to it, almost
like those Jackass videos or stupid stunt videos that people craze over. Watching those make people want to do stupid
stuff and I am sure no one watching this is going to take it like a documentary
where they are learning something new.
Not only that, but if they treat it like a music program they might be
disappointed with this DVD since it coming in Dolby Stereo, which works fine
for the non-music portion, but multi-channel would have added a nice dimension
to the music. Take some of the better
audio/video documentaries like Standing
in the Shadows of Motown (reviewed on this site), Bonnaroo Music Festival, or Scratch
and see a better insight into the medium.
Even the full-frame presentation leaves a lot to be desired as detail
and depth is never full rendered and the video is grainy and soft
throughout.
A few extras that make
little or no sense are also added, which are just there for kicks more than
anything. Only a real fan of this
material would sit through this anyway. Not
only that, but the real Ravers that once existed a few years back; chances are
they have moved on. It’s just like when
the 1980’s finally hit you seldom still saw people wearing their Disco gear and
acting like the movement was still alive.
- Nate Goss
