DVD Corner

Duran Duran: A Hollywood High Blu-ray Review

“Duran Duran: A Hollywood High” is for the fans. 

In honor of the New Wave rock band Duran Duran’s 40th anniversary, a new documentary/concert film has surfaced titled “Duran Duran: A Hollywood High.” Directed by Gavin Elder, Vincent Adam Paul and George Scott, the film begins with interviews with band members Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Roger Taylor who talk about their ties to L.A., the performances they had there, their Capitol Records contract and the recording of their new album. After that, the concert portion kicks in. Alongside guitarist Dom Brown and back-up singers Anna Ross and Erin Stevenson, the band performs a rooftop concert next to the Capitol Records building. In addition to noted hits like “A View To A Kill,” “Notorious,” and “Hungry Like A Wolf,”the band belts out several new songs such as “Anniversary.”

In the 80’s Duran Duran was one of the biggest music acts. While the band may not be in their prime, they are still alive and kicking and are fully capable of putting on a good show as evidenced here. The pace of the songs may not be as lively as you remember, but Simon Le Bon’s vocals are still sharp. While it would have been nice to hear a few more treasured classics like “Rio,” there’s a nice mixture of tunes in the setlist. 

At the end of the day though, this is very much a love letter to the fans. The film may be a bit self-congratulatory as the band celebrates the big 4-0, but it’s nice to see a group do something special for their devoted fanbase. While the concert is a treat in and of itself, it’s equally fun to see the documentary portion which includes stories of the past along with some archival footage of their youthful days. If you’re a longtime fan, it’s certainly a must see.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How does it look? The entire film contains high quality video quality. 

Audio Track: PCM Stereo, 5.1 DTS-HD MA and Dolby Atmos. How do they sound? Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these options. They all work in their own way.

Extras:
* A booklet with credits and photos.
* 13 minutes of additional documentary footage
* “Film Premier Band Q&A Highlights” from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with moderator Allison Hagendorf.
 

August 9, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Concert Movie, documentary, Duran Duran, Duran Duran: A Hollywood High Blu-ray Review, New Wave, Rock Music, Simon Le Bon