ViewGuide

Created Jun 11, 2010 06:43PM PST • Edited Jun 11, 2010 06:43PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   For you uninitiated (or unaware), Rush is a band that continues to produce ever evolving kick-ass progressive rock after 35 years, has 24 consecutive gold and platinum albums (trailing only The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Aerosmith), gets shunned by critics, yet continues to sell out big stadiums and has legions of loyal fans who are crazy about them.

   The movie takes you from Rush’s early roots in suburban Toronto through major turning points in their career for insight on how they do it. It provides the most clear perspective yet on how Rush is in touch with so many of us, sticks to their vision for better or worse, and proves time-and-time again that they don’t have to sell their souls to a record company to make it big with legions of fans.

   Whether or not you take a liking to their music, you will come away with a deep respect and genuine admiration for the three famous Canadians.

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   Alex Liefson, Geddy Lee, and Neil Peart are the three lowest key dudes in the rock industry. Not just low key, but the kind of guys any one of us could easily make friends with. Approachable, introspective, funny and even shy…. No high and mighty rockers here – just 3 life-long friends that genuinely care for their music – and their fans. Loved the interviews with surprisingly famous fans, including Jack Black (funny), Les Claypool, Gene Simmons (Kiss), Trent Reznor (9 Inch Nails), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), and Vinnie Paul (Pantera). Oh and Geddy’s mom? Priceless!

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    Geddy warned Sam Dunn and Scott McFadyen that they couldn’t have picked a more boring subject…. tounge-in-cheek of course, but I’m glad the film-makers stuck to it. They took a traditional approach with this documentary, but I loved the reverence they had for the band and its music – which got ample playtime to the delight of all of us Rush fans in the audience. Special gems came from very old 1970’s footage and humorous narrative talking about how high school kids had no idea what to do with this band’s hard un-danceable rock!

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.0

    One of the funniest scenes in the movie highlights just how tame the band is. They were interviewing one of the band’s managers who talked about how the guys would just hang in their rooms after a concert, despite the fact that there were women groupies of their co-performers (Kiss, Ted Nugent, etc.) all over the place!

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

18. Violence Gentle 1.0

19. Rudeness Polite 1.0

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0