BMG Music presents

'N Sync: 'N the Mix (1999)

"It's not exactly Beatle-mania, but it's pretty cool."- J C Chavez

Stars: Justin Timberlake, J.C. Chavez, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Chris Fitzpatrick
Director: Lorin W. Finkelstein

Manufacturer: Crush Digital Video
MPAA Rating: Not RatedRun Time: 01h:16m:45s
Release Date: 1999-08-24
Genre: pop

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
B	B+	C+	B	C

 

DVD Review

"Here we go, one more time, everybody's feeling fine, here we go now... from Here We Go by 'N Sync. Right here, before you and God, it's time for me to come out of the closet. Um...I like ' N Sync. Just so you know, I am not in the perceived demographic range for boy bands like 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys, which usually is the 9-16 year old set. As a matter of fact my daughter is out of that range as well, which is all I'm going to say about that subject. Regardless of my age, I'm hooked.

Since the release of their debut album in 1998, 'N Sync has been duking out with those Backstreet Boys for the title of #1 boy band in the nation (world?) and they're putting up a good fight.

This disc features interviews with each of the members of the group. They talk about their hobbies, the fans, their starts in show business, what it's like to be wanted by legions of screaming girls, yadda, yadda. Believe it or not, these guys come off as very unpretentious and damn likable! I hate to constantly compare them to BSB (Backstreet Boys), but they know themselves that the comparisons are inevitable. And compared to BSB, they are a lot more fun and they take themselves less seriously.

There are clips from numerous performances when they were relatively fresh on the scene. At one outdoor venue, Justin breaks from his dance routine and tells the audience to scream. As if they needed to be told!!! Also included is the original version of the I Want U Back video, which serves as hard evidence of some major dental work that needed to be done once they earn a little more cash.

They may not have the staying power of the Stones or the hard edge of Metallica, but there is something to be said for a group that can make mother and daughter groove together. Who knows what the future will bring for 'N Sync or any boy band? They could split up, pursue different career choices, or, God forbid, grow old. At least I'll have this disc as a remembrance of a very innocent time in their careers.

Rating for Style: B
Rating for Substance: B+

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Grade: C+
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
DS 2.0	English	yes
Dolby Digital 5.1	English	yes

Audio Transfer Grade: B 

Disc Extras

Full Motion menu with music
Scene Access with 12 cues and remote access
Music/Song Access with 4 cues and remote access
Packaging: Amaray
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extra Extras:

1. Karaoke
2. Photo Gallery
3. Bonus Videos: U Drive Me Crazy, I Drive Myself Crazy, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and For the Girl That Has Everything
4. PC and Mac Weblinks

Extras Review: Except for the karaoke, the extras contained on this disc are your basic breed that seems to be on every pop star's DVD that's released. With a DVD-ROM drive, you can hook up with their official websites:'N Sync's Official Website and Peep's Republic Music Site.The karaoke is actually just two songs (Here We Go and Tearin Up My Heart) that are played with subtitles. I personally think that all music DVDs should have subtitles since most artists don't provide the lyrics in their CDs anymore. It would keep me from making a butt of myself, screaming out the wrong words at the top of my lungs.

Extras Grade: C
 

Final Comments

Pop this in the DVD player the next time your daughter has a sleep over and watch their faces light up! Make sure you have an excuse to be in the room, too.

Maggi Cameron 2000-06-15