cloilia One of the best rockumentaries I have seen since "I Am Going to Break your Heart," (possibly because despite Brian Wilson's erratic cameo in the very excellent "Theremin," I don't think it can be classified as a rockumentary) … certainly better than "Some Kind of Monster," but onto the film at hand… Coming from a person who doesn't have impeccable music taste and happened to randomly see a Dispatch show 5 years ago at the Avalon in Boston, I must say I fell in love with Dispatch as a unit and individually with Brad, Pete and Chad; their on-camera musings reminiscent of both lighthearted, entertainment fest "Spinal Tap" and heavier, reflective "The Kid Stays in the Picture." As you watch these three interact in rehearsals and recording sessions while preparing for their self-proclaimed (and fan-denied) final 2004 Hatch Shell show in Boston, one begins to wonder what exactly poisoned their seemingly perfect chemistry.The film is very well done, as Helmut Schleppi and his crew of pros and interns, turn their closeness and knowledge of the band on its head to explore the intricacies, dynamics and ultimate pain when the of love for music and creativity clash with the sudden and unconventional success of these Indie Rock Superheroes. Schleppi certainly hit the jackpot with all the pre-existing band footage which allowed him to avoid talking heads and pointing fingers; with this gift of grainy home-video, Schleppi visually explores the inexplicable relationships between the members that helped to solidify, "famil"iarize and ultimately dissolved the band. Through creative building and a "Pulp Fiction" like chronology, the audience begins to understand (and morn) the loss of Dispatch…. This being a rockumentary, one is pained to ignore the brilliant use of Dispatch's own recordings and jamming to further explore the band's uniqueness.Schleppi has been accused of short changing the band, the documentary, and ultimately the audience, by being "too close to his subject" (Matt Ashare, The Boston Phoenix, 29 July 2005). Ashare insists that the audience is left puzzled, never given an explanation as to why Dispatch and their problems as a band were exceptional… Schuleppi's closeness is not a handicap in the film, but by far its greatest advantage… The audience feels close to the band instead of distant voyeurs trying to understand the elusive intricacies of human relationships that may not have a simple explanation tied-up with a ribbon, as over-produced television shows like VH1's "Behind the Music," or Michael Moore's over-the-top antics would have us craving. Schleppi choose not to corrupt the film by adding an omniscient narrator, allowing raw footage and interviews to form a picture of the band. Yes, the film's presentation and validity may have been compromised by his personal stake in the project, but this is the reality of documentary film outside of NOVA and Animal Planet (even this is questionable). On that note, Schleppi could have used more fan footage: certainly, the fans of Dispatch will notify any critic of why the band is so special, because, quiet simply, it is the fans that make them unique … but it is this viewer's opinion that the film allows those less familiar with the band to see Dispatch's magnetism, and begin to understand why it all had to end…. This film does not try to draw water from a stone, and that may just be it. I am not sure if the band members themselves actually know the answer… so, as an audience, we must rely on our over-medicated, Reality-TV soaked brains to venture back to actual reality and watch, think, interpret, conclude and maybe even cry.-SL P.S. To those kids from the Quabbin Reservoir in western mass… Thanks for the ticket… use teas bags for the swollen eyes and good luck next summer on that SPED bus… I want to see your film at the Somerville Theater.

Shmalmadngdong And so it goes, the story of three best friends that redefined independent music. The Last Dispatch tells the story of three friends, three talented musicians, one van (wimpy) and the three guys that brought together 110,000 people for one final concert. The Last Dispatch was a well told documentary, as a fan I urge all 110,000 of you to see this film-it not only shows you their talent, and love for music but it shows you the story of their friendship and their promise to keep their friendship alive even if it meant saying good bye to dispatch. But above it all The Last Dispatch was a way of the band to say once more good bye and thank you to all their fans, for bringing them so far. If you haven't seen it find a way to see it-if you made it out to the last concert you can make it to the theater. Its worth it. You'll laugh, smile, and you may even cry.

MMBryan41 I saw a prescreening of Last Dispatch and I really love this movie. For those of you that are not familiar with the band, this movie tells the story of Dispatch as they prepare to play their final concert after a 2 year hiatus. The film shows the 12 days leading up to the concert and tells how the band was started, why they are done, and how they became a successful band without ever signing to a major label. Dispatch is truly a band that did things their own way. They never listened to those people that told them they could not succeed in the music industry without the backing of a major label. On July 31st, 2004 they proved the industry wrong when 110,000 people showed up to Boston to say goodbye to the band they all loved. It is a story about following your dreams and always believing in yourself. I strongly recommend this movie to anyone who has ever heard the band as well as those who just love music. Everyone can appreciate what these guys did and the message that they delivered to 110,000 people last July.

Matt Isaacs I saw this movie at the pre-screening at Plymouth State University on April 22, 2005 and, trust me, it's very excellent. The film focuses on the reunion of the members of Dispatch in preparation for their final concert, "The Last Dispatch", on July 31st, 2004 in Boston, MA. You don't have to be a fan of the band to be captivated by the great story of three musicians who managed to rise out of the crowd with sheer talent and commitment, cementing their place in music history without ever signing with a record label. The film has the perfect mix of humor and drama as the band members' unique interests clash and the tension mounts before the final show. The film is particularly enjoyable to any of the 110,000 fans who attended the amazing final show, but I also highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates music, Dispatch or otherwise.