ViewGuide

Created Jul 12, 2010 07:59PM PST • Edited Jul 12, 2010 07:59PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   A compelling Rockumentary about Jim Morrison and the Doors. What makes this film special is the volume and variety (and apparently rarity) of the film footage that was used. The narration by Johnny Depp at times seemed almost unnecessary – all that was needed was the music and the footage. This film highlights just how much of an uncontrollable force Jim Morrison really was, and it shows him and the band in a factual light that only partially diminishes the mythology surrounding his short life. Even if you saw “The Doors”, see this documentary as well – you’ll be surprised that real to life footage is just as dramatic as an Oliver Stone movie.

4. Acting

   OK 2.5

   Nothing that special about the narration, but interesting that Johnny Depp took on that role – apparently he’s a big Doors fan.

5. Male Stars OK 2.5

6. Female Stars OK 2.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    A very interesting blend of band footage as well as Jim Morrison’s own home movies that are used to introduce and finalize the movie. I didn’t think it was necessary to include ‘generic 60’s’ footage of world events at the time, but in retrospect it did add meaningful background to what was going on with Jim and the Band. In many ways, the Doors represented well the mindset of youth at the time – a mindset that was influenced by what was happening (e.g. racial violence, Vietnam, Kennedy).

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

    Sordid 2.7

    Its Jim Morrison, remember? Of course, you never see anything graphic — just knowing about his antics deserves a Sordid rating.

17. Sex Erotic 2.7

18. Violence Brutal 2.7

19. Rudeness Profane 2.7

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

    Truth is stranger than fiction…

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0