Michael's Movie Grade: A-
A fantastic documentary on the New Orleans Jazz Fest.
This movie like all of the best music documentaries and concert films, works first and foremost as a celebration of music. Because of this, Jazz Fest is a film that you leave the theater happier than when you came in and isn't that just what you want from a trip to the movies. Both movies and music have the power to do this and so a film like this certainly does. Despite the name of this film, and of the festival it is about, being Jazz Fest, neither the festival nor the movie limit themselves to one genre. While there is some traditional jazz, there is also a wide variety of other genres including gospel, R&B, Cajun music, hip-hop and rock and roll. All of these genres are treated with equal respect and fans of any of these genres should be more than happy with what this film gives them. The highlight of the movie of course is the performances from the many great artists. These artists range from people that everyone reading this will know (Bruce Springsteen, Al Green, Earth Wind and Fire, B.B. King, Jimmy Buffett, Katy Perry, Pitbull and many more) to some great local talent from New Orleans that you will be introduced to here. All of these artists give fantastic performances and even if one of them is not your taste and music, you will still truly appreciate their showmanship and talent. Plus there is a wide enough variety that everybody will find some music that they will love. Watching these performances makes nearly anyone who ever likes music want to attend this festival. There is a joyous feel in these parts that I don't see how anyone can resist. This film also gives a great history of this festival and the artists there and I am sure even many music buffs will learn something new. The interviews with various artists and people who work on the festival add to the movie's joyous feeling. They so passionate about everything they are talking about that it is hard not to get caught up in the excitement yourself. There is something that is simply always wonderful about seeing the joy in someone's face as they talk about something they are truly passionate about and that feeling is all over this movie.
The only real problem I have with this film is the length. To cover 50 years of a festival in an hour and half, is just not giving yourself enough time and this can cause a bit of a rushed feeling. But when everything about the film is this joyous, it seems to only be a compliment to say that you want much more.
A must see.
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