U2: Vertigo 2005 - Live from Chicago (2005)

So much average

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Good movie but grossly overrated

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Unbiased review from someone who is not a U2 fan.U2 lead vocalist Bono, recently said "we're reapplying for the job of best band in the world". If so, this DVD should not be their resume. In fact, let's face it, when it comes to the title of most overrated band in rock history, U2 might have a legitimate claim to the title.First, a bit of disclosure so you can see where I'm coming from and rank my review accordingly. I am NOT a U2 fan. I did buy 'WAR', and several other records by them when they came out. And, I do occasionally enjoy listening to their music, but I do not idolize them, and I call it like I see it.I do admit entering this experience with a little trepidation. U2 played nudge-nudge wink wink with the punk and alternative crowd to try to ride those coattails; They played nudge-nudge wink wink with Beatles fandom all but declaring themselves the second coming of The Beatles with 'Rattle and Hum'; They played nudge- nudge wink wink with the burgeoning Christian record market, positioning themselves as the #1 Christian rock band; They played nudge-nudge wink wink with Irish nationalism; They played nudge-nudge wink wink with activism - despite occasional proclamations by Bono in the press, they've rarely if ever outright espoused any political ideology in their music. But they never were any of those things. Or maybe a bland melange of all of them.Now, don't get me wrong, borrowing from various sources and reinventing yourself to maintain popularity is a long standing tradition in rock. Take a band like Motley Crue who started out by swiping all of Ozzy's bats-and-gloom shtick and the N.Y. Dolls glam/drag shtick and grafting them together - later to chop off their long hair and dye it to try to fit in with the post-Metallica/Nirvana hard rock landscape.But sometimes it seems like U2 just keeps throwing out trick after trick, from ZooTV to iPod promotion to keep their title long after they should have hung up their guitars.But, never let it be said I won't give someone a chance to change my mind. I wanted to see U2 again, and after hearing such good things about the 'Vertigo' tour, I decided to see what the lads were up to. I had wanted to watch U2 3D, but alas, my home theater system isn't up to the challenge (whose is?) so I opted for this concert film from the same tour instead.After watching it, I have to say it's a decent enough rock concert, but, if this is supposed to be U2 at the top of their game, I'm not impressed. For one thing, many bands' best music isn't played on the radio - this is not the case with U2 - all the concert's highlights are songs you're already familiar with - even if you're not a U2 fan, songs like 'Mysterious Ways', 'New Years Day', and of course 'Vertigo'.The audio mix is fantastic. The guitars, keyboards, vocals, and crowd noise is all very perfectly balanced to give a sound that is crisp and dynamic, while preserving all the energy of a live show, which results in a sound that blends the best of both studio and live recordings. And if you think it sounds good on your stereo - you should really listen to it with a good set of headphones. Amazing. The DVD might be the best *sounding* U2 recording out there.And the whole thing is quite the spectacle thanks to a legion of electricians and lighting guys, probably at least a dozen cameramen, and THOUSANDS of light bulbs.But, for all the non-stop flashing lights of being inside a 360-degree pinball machine... at the end of the day it's not so much a fine piece of silver as it is a lot of shiny polish on an ordinary piece of tin.It's a shame, The Beatles, The Doors or even Queen came before it was possible to get this kind of audio and video quality, because any one of those bands could blow U2 away on their own stage. And, for all his faults, even a drug-addled and bloated Vegas-era Elvis never stopped and cleared his throat in mid-song saying, "I've got a frog in my throat".When it comes right down to it. If spectacle is your thing, it's here - but, you'd be better off seeing KISS for a flashy stage show; at least they have no pretensions of artistry. If on the other hand, the artistry of the musicians is your thing - that's here too, but you'd probably be better off checking out David Bowie, Peter Gabriel or the Talking Heads for that. Still, as concert films go, the technical expertise of the craftspeople that made this film shows through. As a concert film it is fantastic. We've come a long way since Martin Scorsese's 'The Last Walz'. U2: Vertigo 05: Live from Chicago sets the standard for concert films of the new millennium.Too bad the band's talents aren't equally high.If you're a U2 fan, you'll love it. If you're not, you still might be entertained.

It is impressing how a band this old can still produce a concert like this! They have the same energy as for 25 years ago! Unfortunately I didn't see U2 when they came to Denmark, and I am still sad about it!! Could have been a experience of my lifetime - if it was just half as good as the show in Chicago.The best thing about this concert, is that they play a track from almost every album they have produced! Noy only the hitlist-wonders like Vertigo and Sunday Bloody Sunday. They play less known numbers like "40" and "Cry/Electric Co." I must admit that I wasn't the biggest U2 fan, so I didn't know these tracks. But they are almost as good as the biggest of all: "Elevation" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday"!Elevation is bye the way, the best track on the DVD. The way the entire Crowd shouts "ELEVATION" is extraordinary! The only thing I can compare it with, is "We Will Rock You" from the Live Aid concert from 1985. 100.000 people or more shouts "WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU" along Freddie Mercury!A truly amazing music-DVD!!

I am a huge U2 fan. I have been quite literally all of my life. I have followed the band willingly through every stage of their reinventions. I own every single live video they have ever released aside from their Popmart video, from Under a Blood Red Sky and Rattle and Hum to both DVD's from the Elevation tour. I say this to make it clear that I am in no way bashing U2.This is not their best live footage to date. Bono experienced some problems during these 2 shows. He occasionally sings out of tune or off rhythm, and has some vocals problems that prevent him from singing some lines in certain songs. If you would like to simply hear the new songs live, then by all means, purchase this. However, if you don't have much interest in the material from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, then I would suggest older videos. (The Boston for a great theatrical performance, Slane Castle for a more music based performance, or my personal favourite, Zoo TV from Sydney, which has the best of both worlds, even though it's only available on VHS or DVD bootleg on ebay.) U2 is writing some of the best songs of their career, both lyrically an musically. Unfortunately, this DVD doesn't quite do it justice. I just hope that another DVD is released from later show on their other American tour legs.

This is a must see for any music fan. It features a band at the peak of their powers and is a very strong performance from the 4 lads from Dublin. I was lucky enough to attend 3 Vertigo Tour shows and the Chicago DVD brings back all those feelings you get when you see U2 live. From the last PA song before the concert begins (a song called wake up by arcade fire) to the end it's arena rock at it's very best. There is a great mix of new and old spanning their full 25 years in the business. The new album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is obviously featured heavily and doesn't look out of place among such classics as Where the Streets Have No Name and Sunday Bloody Sunday. The show ends with a fantastic closing song (40) which involves the audience singing the band off the stage. Very powerful stuff 9/10