Muse – Live at Rome Olympic Stadium, 2013.
Directed by Matt Askem.
SYNOPSIS:
The stadium rock superstars’ most extravagant stage show yet, captured in stunning 4K Ultra HD.
This review may be slightly biased. It’s not written by someone with a neutral opinion if Muse, but it’s written by someone who has seen them nine times. As a result of this, from an incredibly personal stand point, their first real foray into the concert movie business is both entertaining, but slightly shallow. However, let’s say that you the reader are only aware of Muse as “that band who did the Olympics song,” then Live at Rome Olympic Stadium will be a pretty good introduction.
In truth, the most successful concert films are those that blend documentary filmmaking with lavish live footage. The Rolling Stones have nailed this, and even One Direction arguably understand what makes a great concert film. Muse however succeed incredibly at only half the criteria. As a live band, they’re better than any band currently playing and with 4K super high definition, the film feels reminiscent of a huge Hollywood blockbuster.
It’s a great shame that in a similar manner to the Transformers films, we only get lavish set pieces, explosions and incredible effects. Moments of intimacy appear sporadically; Explorers finds Matt Bellamy alone on the piano with the rest if the band seemingly miles away, dots in the distance and even then you have 80,000 screaming fans surrounding him.
However, if you don’t care for talking heads and moments of intimacy and instead you want a band on top of their game playing music that would seem appropriate beaming out of a space ship then Live at Rome Olympic Stadium may be the greatest thing to come to fruition since sliced bread. An acrobat falling from a giant light bulb, an actress dowsing herself in petrol and numerous beautifully cliched knee slides work hand in hand with the leaders of the free world dancing, explosions every five minutes and a pair of glasses that work as a pair if television screen.
Muse – Live at Rome Olympic Stadium may not be the most revealing or intimate concert film but it is certainly the most over the top and over blown in recent memory. For any Muse fan, this is essential viewing, for those who just want to watch a band at the top of their game playing in front of explosions and incredible visuals, you may as well splash your cash.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Thomas Harris
Originally published November 8, 2013. Updated April 15, 2018.
