Rolling Stones Shine A Light

Blu-ray Review

Paramount Home Entertainment

Released: July 29, 2008

Shine A Light is the latest project from legendary director Martin Scorsese, and takes a look at the iconic rock band, Rolling Stones. Shine A Light showcases the Rolling Stones at a concert they performed at the New York Beacon Theater, and it has all been brought to the Blu-ray format from Paramount.

Combining creative minds such as the Rolling Stones and Martin Scorsese, you would expect to get something special, and that is exactly what you get.

The cinematography carried out by Scorsese during the film showcases the performance with a great deal of energy. You get to take a closer look at what goes on before the concert, behind-the-scenes, and much more.

The Rolling Stones, made up of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, and Charlie Watts are all here for fans’ enjoyment.

For die-hard Rolling Stones fans, this really is a treat as you get to go up-close-and-personal with the rock band. For a concert rock documentary, this is highly recommended.

The setlist performed at the concert is as follows…

Jumping Jack Flash

Shattered

She Was Hot

All Down the Line

Loving Cup - featuring Jack White III

As Tears Go By

Some Girls

Just My Imagination

Far Away Eyes

Champagne and Reefer – featuring Buddy Guy

Tumblin Dice

You Got The Silver

Connection

Sympathy for the Devil

Live With Me – featuring Christina Aguilera

Start Me Up

Brown Sugar

I Can’t Get No Satisfaction

The video quality for the Blu-ray release is presented in 1080p in AVC MPEG-4 and looks absolutely phenomenal. The color palette is extremely vibrant as the band, the stage lights, everything comes to life before your very eyes.

In many instances, it almost feels like you are right there at the concert taking it all in yourself.

The black levels, fleshtones, etc. are all absolutely spot on. Amazing video quality and visual style overall.

The audio mix for the Blu-ray release is presented in both Dolby TrueHD 5.1, as well as DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio. I was most curious in the audio mix here, as it was clearly going to be the most important aspect of the Blu-ray disc. Without a great audio mix, nothing would come across properly.

Thankfully, Paramount has managed to nail it with a fantastic presentation of the audio, as it really feels like you are at the concert and enjoying every minute of it. The audio is presented using all surround channels, bass, etc. very well. Combining the crowd in the rear channels with everything else, this is as close to a concert experience as you are going to get without being there.

For the extras, there is unfortunately not a whole lot included in the Blu-ray release. The positive thing is that all extras are in HD.

The biggest extras is an added featurette which runs for 15-minutes, and showcases some old archived interviews with the band. On top of that, you also get four bonus songs.

The four bonus songs include Undercover of the Night, Paint it Black, Little T&A, as well as I’m Free.

Overall the release of Shine A Light on the Blu-ray format is an absolute must-buy for Rolling Stones fans, as it showcases the band, some fantastic music, and more. Not to be missed!

Film: 9.0

Shine A Light is a fantastic presentation of the Rolling Stones in concert, amazing stuff from Scorsese and company.

Video: 9.2

Nothing to complain about here as the colors, detail, everything is perfect.

Audio: 9.5

The highlight of the disc without question, as close to a concert experience as you can get without being there.

Special Features: 7.5

A commentary track from Scorsese would have been a bonus, the added songs are a nice feature for fans.

Final Score: 8.7