revere-7 Unbiased review from someone who is not a U2 fan.U2 lead vocalist Bono, recently said "we're reapplying for the job of best band in the world". If so, this DVD should not be their resume. In fact, let's face it, when it comes to the title of most overrated band in rock history, U2 might have a legitimate claim to the title.First, a bit of disclosure so you can see where I'm coming from and rank my review accordingly. I am NOT a U2 fan. I did buy 'WAR', and several other records by them when they came out. And, I do occasionally enjoy listening to their music, but I do not idolize them, and I call it like I see it.I do admit entering this experience with a little trepidation. U2 played nudge-nudge wink wink with the punk and alternative crowd to try to ride those coattails; They played nudge-nudge wink wink with Beatles fandom all but declaring themselves the second coming of The Beatles with 'Rattle and Hum'; They played nudge- nudge wink wink with the burgeoning Christian record market, positioning themselves as the #1 Christian rock band; They played nudge-nudge wink wink with Irish nationalism; They played nudge-nudge wink wink with activism - despite occasional proclamations by Bono in the press, they've rarely if ever outright espoused any political ideology in their music. But they never were any of those things. Or maybe a bland melange of all of them.Now, don't get me wrong, borrowing from various sources and reinventing yourself to maintain popularity is a long standing tradition in rock. Take a band like Motley Crue who started out by swiping all of Ozzy's bats-and-gloom shtick and the N.Y. Dolls glam/drag shtick and grafting them together - later to chop off their long hair and dye it to try to fit in with the post-Metallica/Nirvana hard rock landscape.But sometimes it seems like U2 just keeps throwing out trick after trick, from ZooTV to iPod promotion to keep their title long after they should have hung up their guitars.But, never let it be said I won't give someone a chance to change my mind. I wanted to see U2 again, and after hearing such good things about the 'Vertigo' tour, I decided to see what the lads were up to. I had wanted to watch U2 3D, but alas, my home theater system isn't up to the challenge (whose is?) so I opted for this concert film from the same tour instead.After watching it, I have to say it's a decent enough rock concert, but, if this is supposed to be U2 at the top of their game, I'm not impressed. For one thing, many bands' best music isn't played on the radio - this is not the case with U2 - all the concert's highlights are songs you're already familiar with - even if you're not a U2 fan, songs like 'Mysterious Ways', 'New Years Day', and of course 'Vertigo'.The audio mix is fantastic. The guitars, keyboards, vocals, and crowd noise is all very perfectly balanced to give a sound that is crisp and dynamic, while preserving all the energy of a live show, which results in a sound that blends the best of both studio and live recordings. And if you think it sounds good on your stereo - you should really listen to it with a good set of headphones. Amazing. The DVD might be the best *sounding* U2 recording out there.And the whole thing is quite the spectacle thanks to a legion of electricians and lighting guys, probably at least a dozen cameramen, and THOUSANDS of light bulbs.But, for all the non-stop flashing lights of being inside a 360-degree pinball machine... at the end of the day it's not so much a fine piece of silver as it is a lot of shiny polish on an ordinary piece of tin.It's a shame, The Beatles, The Doors or even Queen came before it was possible to get this kind of audio and video quality, because any one of those bands could blow U2 away on their own stage. And, for all his faults, even a drug-addled and bloated Vegas-era Elvis never stopped and cleared his throat in mid-song saying, "I've got a frog in my throat".When it comes right down to it. If spectacle is your thing, it's here - but, you'd be better off seeing KISS for a flashy stage show; at least they have no pretensions of artistry. If on the other hand, the artistry of the musicians is your thing - that's here too, but you'd probably be better off checking out David Bowie, Peter Gabriel or the Talking Heads for that. Still, as concert films go, the technical expertise of the craftspeople that made this film shows through. As a concert film it is fantastic. We've come a long way since Martin Scorsese's 'The Last Walz'. U2: Vertigo 05: Live from Chicago sets the standard for concert films of the new millennium.Too bad the band's talents aren't equally high.If you're a U2 fan, you'll love it. If you're not, you still might be entertained.

bob the moo You see, this is the problem with reviewing a title after the prolific Theo Robertson has already done it; you end up writing a review that either spends a couple of paragraphs agreeing with him or simply repeating what he has said. He tends to have good taste and put his opinion forward really well and it leaves the rest of us poor b*ggers with little to say! He is correct when he talks about how strong a concert this is for U2 fans. Having been born and bred in Northern Ireland I am contractually obliged to lack rhythm, be cynical, have an acerbic sense of humour and like U2, so naturally I enjoyed this concert film.The range of tracks is one of the biggest selling points, everything from the recent Vertigo back to classics from Joshua Tree etc. It does make the concert feel slightly more special and honest, because it doesn't feel like they are there just as part of selling their latest wares. The variety also means there are very few weaker album tracks – it isn't quite a greatest hits tour but, like Theo says, it shows respect to the fan base by basically saying "we know you are here for the last 20 years, not just the last album" and I must admit I appreciated that aspect of the concert. The circular stage didn't come across that well on the screen mainly because the camera always ensured we had a good view. Personally I'm not sure if it does make for a better gig because I've only ever been to concerts in smaller venues with a set stage – never really been one for whom stadium gigs appeal.The one downside is that Bono has become a bit full of himself and, even though the fans in the stadium on these two nights lapped it up, I wasn't that impressed. Another reviewer said he was almost a caricature of himself – I can't say it better than that so I'll steal their words. Particularly hard to swallow were the moments where he was pretty pretentious; his prayer and his "all religions" headband were just grating and the fact that a cheering crowd didn't cover it in my front room highlighted it as rather more embarrassing. Luckily the overall performance covers up for moments like this and the actual delivery from the group as a whole.Overall then a fine concert film for fans of U2 with sufficient hits to make it accessible and of value to the casual viewer. Yes Bono is a bit of a prat at times but this doesn't take too much away from the total performance. The track selection is good, the stage presence is good and with a good sound system the audience reactions come over well. Well worth seeing for U2 fans.

Lasse Elgaard It is impressing how a band this old can still produce a concert like this! They have the same energy as for 25 years ago! Unfortunately I didn't see U2 when they came to Denmark, and I am still sad about it!! Could have been a experience of my lifetime - if it was just half as good as the show in Chicago.The best thing about this concert, is that they play a track from almost every album they have produced! Noy only the hitlist-wonders like Vertigo and Sunday Bloody Sunday. They play less known numbers like "40" and "Cry/Electric Co." I must admit that I wasn't the biggest U2 fan, so I didn't know these tracks. But they are almost as good as the biggest of all: "Elevation" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday"!Elevation is bye the way, the best track on the DVD. The way the entire Crowd shouts "ELEVATION" is extraordinary! The only thing I can compare it with, is "We Will Rock You" from the Live Aid concert from 1985. 100.000 people or more shouts "WE WILL, WE WILL ROCK YOU" along Freddie Mercury!A truly amazing music-DVD!!

ronssanchez82 In this update to the u2 live concert saga , the boys from Dublin descend into Chicago to basically play a "greatest hits" concert. They don't disappoint in any regard. The Show opens up with the electrifying "City of Blinding Lights" a rousing number which then shoots up into "Vertigo" which is a stronger version of the song than we're accustomed to. The band unveils some surprises from their catalog like " An Cat Dubh" and "Electric Co" which haven't been played since Reagan was in office. "New Years Day" , "One", "Where The Streets Have No Name" all sound new and different in their current incarnations , which proves the fact that u2 are innovators , Even the elusive "Zoo Station" makes an appearance on this disc which hasn't been played since Bono Donned the horns in the early 90's. The new songs like "Miracle Drug" , "Love and Peace" ,"Sometimes You Can't make it on your own" are shaping up to be arena classics. This Disc is worth every penny you pay(except if you buy it at Virgin Megastore for 35$ , ouch!!!!) and which it should be compared to that debacle that was Elevation ,live from Boston 2001. They only drawback was the omitting of "With or Without You , but hey , you cant be perfect......