Roger Waters: The Wall (2014)

Absolutely the worst movie.

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

The best band ever biggest album gets a new approach, making it sound fresh as ever and surprising once again.Thirty-six years after the original release, a great number of tours, a movie and a few concerts released on video, some could say Roger Waters wanted to release a "The Wall" concert in 2015 only to cash in, taking advantage of nostalgia and of the value and influence of the work to music: however, this one would be completely wrong.The movie is a new, and once again, genius approach to the Rock Opera masterpiece. The work was updated carefully, even though it is, almost entirely, timeless. Waters is vulnerable during the cutscenes of this documentary, showing his traumas and personal life, allowing the audience to understand how his loss experiences related to both World Wars forged his personality, while simultaneously creating identification through loss, revolt or the inability that, unfortunately, meets us all in some moment of contemporary life.But if Waters is vulnerable on the cutscenes, at the stage he is self-assured, proves to be a great frontman and leads his work like no one else could ever do. "The Wall", played in its entirety in this movie (three songs were added to the original album's tracklist) is, undeniably, one of the most important art works of the 20th century. Terrorrism's evil, in any of its forms, and the alienation of the human being due to the lack of empathy of modern society underpins Roger reflections, and allow him to insert his anthropological and social questionings, going way beyond Pink's character.The movie is very well-directed, with great editing and cinematography. The concert, as fans know, is a spectacle of rock 'n' roll classics played beautifully, an unprecedented visual production and energetic performances from Roger and the band.The audience's catharsis during Comfortably Numb is something ridiculously emotional, Bring The Boys Back Home can bring us all to tears and Another Brick In The Wall summarizes why Pink Floyd was and still is one of the most enchanting bands ever, justifying The Wall's mythology.A must-see for rock lovers and highly recommended to people interested in complex narratives, social criticism and great audiovisual spectacles.10 out of 10

I went to see the concert in Lisbon, Portugal in 2012. It was the most incredible show I ever seen. When the movie was announced I just couldn't wait to relieve everything one more time. Roger not only is brilliant musician and songwriter but also a great show man, he knows how to prepare an amazing experience for his crowd. This movie was the first time that I see such an emotional Roger, and that is a good thing. This is the way that concerts shouldn't recorded and then later presented, I was seating and in every song I felt the need to just get up and start moving, the same way I did when I was on the concert. Totally amazing experience! I can't wait for the Blu-ray release of this, its a must have for me, so I can later relieve this amazing life experience one more time. As floyd fan, and as person whose life changed thanks to the Pink Floyd music, thank you Roger. Thank you David. Thank you Nick. Thank you Rick.

I was fortunate enough to experience the latest incarnation of The Wall Tour in Dublin in 2014, and watching this film brought back many memories. The film has done a superb job of capturing the atmosphere of the concert, building to the crescendo of tearing down the Wall in the finale. Wound into the concert footage is a poignant and emotional road trip by Waters to the war graves of his father and grandfather, along with interestingly shot moments of reflection. It all adds up to an emotional roller-coaster that was exciting in terms the actual concert but reflective as you witness his journey, overall a truly brilliant film.I have been fortunate enough to do a Battlefield Tour of Monte Cassino so I can relate to his time being stood on Anzio beach, plus the moving sentiments of standing in the Cassino War Cemetery, it's an emotive place to visit as part of a tour, but I cannot begin to even contemplate the power of feeling Roger must have felt as he sat at the monument before playing the final trumpet performance of Outside the Wall.All in all it amounts to a masterpiece of a rockumentary, highly recommended for any Floyd/Waters fan. Stay for the Simple Facts feature at the end, which has Roger and Nick Mason answering questions sent in by fans from around the world.

Film criticism is often tantamount to film cynicism. Giving a film the benefit of the doubt is a privilege offered by a viewer's tastes, expectations, and biases. It is likely that anybody going to the lengths of seeking out Roger Waters The Wall would give him a pass on many missteps. What's remarkable is how high the standard is for Waters' latest effort and how obvious it is that he does not take his fan base for granted. It is tempting in the first few minutes of this film to have such a cynicism nagging at your brain. What is this supposed to be? Is this a narrative concert? Is this some pretentious self homage? Not too long after these questions came to me, I was entrenched. Any need for categorization or guidance in making sense of what this film is, fell away and the experience became just that, an experience.When familiar themes and stage tricks showed up, I kept having to remind myself,"This isn't comparable to Tool or Spinal Tap, Tool and Spinal Tap are comparable to this!" As the production grows in scale, so does the scope of the life of Roger Waters. This is a revisit and re-imagining of a 50 year body of work, set to the tune of the immensely influential film and album "The Wall." The production of the concert is massive. It seems not a dollar was spared or a talent source untapped. On the stage is a video wall that acts as a stunt piece, a metaphor, and to some degree, a band member. What accompanies the actual concert is Roger Waters on a European quest of self discovery. Details of his past and present are coupled with the concert for some exquisitely powerful effects. All the familiar themes of Pink Floyd,(I.E. Anti-establishment, addiction, love, powerlessness) are shown in a matured step up from the past, like Waters. Some of the greatest effects are seen in the transitions between Waters' travels and the concert. To call this review a recommendation would be inaccurate. Like the music it is centered around, the film is patient and spectacular; but it is also not meant to be universally loved. For audiences that are so accustom to movies with a three act structure, and concert movies that exclusively include the show, this will be more challenging. It is neither a documentary nor a linear production. If you have curiosities, see this film and don't let your expectations cloud it's hypnotic effect. If you are a fan, you shouldn't have a hard time tearing down that wall.