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BMG Music presentsBritney Spears: Live and More!
(2000)
Kyle: (Chris Katten) "Oh my God, my heart is going crazy!"
Shawn: (Jerry Minor) "Oh my God, you said 'crazy,' that's like her song!"
Stars: Britney Spears
Other Stars: "The Spearettes" (Britney's back-up dancers!), the cast of SNL
Director: Ryan Polito
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (nothing offensive - except the music, depending on your point of view)
Run Time: 01h:18m:46s
Release Date: 2001-02-13
Genre: pop
| Style Grade |
Substance Grade | Image Transfer Grade | Audio Transfer Grade |
Extras Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B+ | B- | B+ | B+ | C- |
DVD Review
Ah, teen pop, where would radio be without thee? My eyes well up with tears when I imagine a world without N'Sync. My heart cries out for those who haven't realized the raw, emotional power of a Backstreet Boys' ballad. Most of all, I feel for people whose souls have not been touched by the sweet nothings that spring from the electronically perfected vocals of teen's pop princess, Britney Spears.This DVD encompasses footage that aired during the FOX special, Britney Spears: Live in Hawaii, as well as some behind-the-scenes stuff. Also included are segments from Britney's (me and Britney are tight, she lets me call he by her first name and everything) appearance on Saturday Night Live.
The program is very well edited, with live performances, shots of Britney hanging out in Hawaii, and the SNL stuff interspersed with three of her most recent music videos. The disc includes live performances of all her biggest hits, plus the stuff that pads out her records. Present are:
(You Drive Me) Crazy
Sometimes
From the Bottom of My Broken Heart
Oops... I Did It Again
Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know
The Beat Goes On (no, really...)
...Baby One More Time
Born to Make You Happy
Lucky
Stronger
The SNL segments included are actually pretty funny. Spears was on The Mickey Mouse Club for a couple of years, so I guess she is used to sketch comedy. I especially enjoyed the segment where she played gangsta' girl Dawn Paslowski, who was kicked off MMC for tussling with Britney Spears (who was apparently "fronting" for "knowing her lines and showering").
Three music videos are included as well:
Oops... I Did It Again: This is a nice video in terms of choreography and staging (and tight red leather outfits...), but tell me, why does it take place on MARS? And what is the deal with the Titanic bridge? "But I thought the old lady dropped it into the ocean at the end." Whatever.
Lucky: Two Britneys for the price of one! One Brit vamps it up as a movie star (Lucky), who is sad despite her millions of fans and dollars. The other is the silent observer, who sadly watches her twin self-destruct. Or something. Anyway, Britney is trying to say that, in spite of her perfect body, her enormous fanbase, and all her money, she is just like her pimply, unpopular fans. I mean, really, I'm SURE Britney Spears goes home at night and "cries, cries, cries in her lonely heart."
Stronger: I can't believe Spears tries to sell her "I'm a virgin" schtick with a music video like this in her catalogue. Basically, she tortures the teen male population of the world by dancing lewdly with a chair. She also drives a bad CG car and dances with a cane. Hey, anyone remember when Paula Abdul got in big trouble for doing that? What's the deal? Wasn't she perky and wholesome enough?
Spears' fans will eat this up. For everyone else, proceed with caution. And no, the chapter entitled "Britney Gets Wet" wasn't all that I was hoping for.
Rating for Style: B+
Rating for Substance: B-
Image Transfer
| One | Two | |
|---|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 - Full Frame | 2.35:1 - Widescreen |
| Original Aspect Ratio | yes | yes |
| Anamorphic | no | yes |
Image Transfer Review: I was very impressed with the video quality of this made-for-TV special. The performance and behind-the-scenes sections are presented in a 1.33:1 ratio. Colors look great - bright and vibrant. I noticed no edge-enhancement or artifacting. Black level isn't really an issue, but when there are darker shots, they generally look very nice.
The music videos are presented in a 2.35:1 ratio and they look better than many recent film transfers I have seen. Again, there is no edge-enhancement, no artifacting, and excellent color contrast. The black level is spot on here as well. Very nice.
Image Transfer Grade: B+
Audio Transfer
| Language | Remote Access | |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Digital 5.1 | English | no |
Audio Transfer Review: This disc was given a full DD 5.1 mix and the songs take full advantage of the broadened soundstage. The performances are nicely mixed in the front soundstage, with the surrounds used mostly for crowd noise. There is quite a bit of subwoofer action during the music videos. I appreciate a 5.1 music mix like this, where they don't do something fruity like having the background vocals comes from the surrounds. Again, very nice.
Audio Transfer Grade: B+
Disc Extras
Static menu with musicScene Access with 21 cues
Music/Song Access with 11 cues
Subtitles/Captions in English with remote access
Packaging: Amaray
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: dual
Extra Extras:
- Bonus performances from SNL: Oops... I Did It Again, Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know
- Video Jukebox
- Photo Gallery
I listed the SNL performances as extras because they aren't included in the running time and are only accessible from the SNL menu. The Video Jukebox option allows you to pick from the 11 performances in the film and arrange your own playlist/concert. Finally, the photo gallery is pretty small, with about 15 shots, some of which are direct screen grabs from music videos.
Extras Grade: C-
Final Comments
There are three ways to look at this disc:As a 12 year-old teenybopper: "OHMIGOD! BRITNEY RAWKS! THIS DVD IS PHAT!"
As a casual music fan: "Eh, not bad for disposable pop, and the SNL stuff is funny, but I can't see watching this again."
As a 40 year-old, leering male: "I really respect Britney as an artist."
If you are A or B, make purchases accordingly. If you are C, Ew!
Joel Cunningham 2001-02-22