Rating: 
Summary: 5 stars by default
Review: I basically agree with a lot of what theslime, the person who wrote the spotlight review, had to say. There are long segments of Baby Snakes that I regularly fast-forward. There is way too much backstage nonsense, only a tiny fraction of which is the least bit interesting. The animation is very stream of consciousness and I was bored with it at first but have grown to really appreciate what this guy was doing. However, what I want, and what everyone wants, and what Zappa should have known that everyone would want, is more concert footage! Get rid of the rest of it for all I care.The footage that we do see and hear is extremely worthwhile. In fact, Baby Snakes might be the only legitamite release to contain any good live Zappa on film. Some of the tunes are not my favorite. I don't care about seeing a live version of Bobby Brown Goes Down or I Have Been in You. I would have liked to have heard more instrumentals. However, Baby Snakes is a long movie and there is plenty of great material as well as some charged performances by the young band (obviously having the time of their lives.) Some of my favorites include: City of Tiny Lights, Black Page #2, Punky's Whips (Bozzio's "Punky" is oscar-worthy), King Kong/Pound for a Brown (will Bozzio explode at the climax of his solo?), Black Napkins, Muffin Man, San Bernadino...There is plenty here to make up for the gratuitous filler. This is the best live Zappa footage that I have seen and therefore it automatically gets the five stars.
Rating:
Summary: aren't we being a little picky, gang?
Review: I have come across a few reviews for this release which complain about the quality of the print and lack of bonus material. Let's put things in perspective. This concert was shot 25 years ago, in 1977,the same year "Star Wars" Came out. There was no VHS tape yet and no video rental market! Any bonus material was left on the cutting room floor!! When George Lucas planned to re-release "Star Wars" He found the original negatives had deteriorated to the point where they were almost unusable to make new theatrical prints of the movie. It is entirely possible that the print of "Baby Snakes" used for the DVD is the best source material and to digitally restore the images would have been too expensive. Let's be thankful that great care was given to enhancing the music,which is what this film is about.
Rating: 
Summary: Zappa Delivers
Review: I just viewed Baby Snakes for the first time and I thoroughly enoyed it. The music and concert scenes were tremendous. 'Punky's Whips' was outstanding, Terri Bozzio's drumming was phenomenal, and Frank's guitar riffs were, well lets just say that Frank delivered as only Frank can do. Those that are familiar with Frank Zappa know that he is one of the best guitarists ever. I must admit that after reading the reviews before purchasing the DVD, I was not too excited about having to view the claymation scenes, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I actually enjoyed the claymation. I have to agree with other reviewers regarding the excessive blow up doll exposure - I wasn't too offended - but I think it did more to hurt than help the film. Overall though, this movie rocks - Frank always surrounds himself with fantastic musicians. I am a huge Zappa fan and the DVD was better than I anticipated. Buy this DVD is you are a Frank Zappa fan. Buy this DVD if you enjoy excellent rock and roll music. You can always skip the claymation and other backstage antics if you don't find them entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: I think Frank would love how this turned out
Review: I remember seeing Baby Snakes at a film festival here in Los Angeles when it was first released, and one thing I never forgot was the amazing clay animation by Bruce Bickford (which still seems to rival any claymation I've seen even today), and how well that imagery seemed to compliment Zappa's music. It appears that Zappa found Bickford's claymation to be not so much a visual representation, but rather a perfect visual companion to his music. With the film clocking in at just under 3 hours, the inclusion of Bickford's claymation, as well as some backstage stuff, still leaves plenty of time for an extensive amount of musical performances (27 songs). In those performances, the brilliant musicianship of Zappa's all star band can be seen and heard in their execution of some of his more complex compositions (yes, Frank's own guitar playing included). Some of the comments regarding the transfer of this DVD have been negative, but after waiting years for this film to be released on DVD, I'm glad to find that the picture and sound on this DVD is actually much better than most of the DVD transfers I've seen of concert films or documentaries from the 70's (with the exception of The Last Waltz). This DVD also comes with a pair of "No-D" cardboard glasses, and the insert is done via a mock Baby Snakes Secret File. I think that if Frank were alive today, he'd be glad with how this DVD turned out.
Rating:
Summary: Stef is a humorless retard
Review: I saw this film at its original release in NYC 1979. If you don't get Zappa, then shut up and go away. It's supposed to be silly and then hammer you with impossible music.
Maybe Brittany Spears or Madonna will have a DVD more suitable for the tastes of creatures like Stef.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!!
Review: I saw this tour back in 1977 at Stanford University so it was great being able to relive some of those moments. This brought back great memories of the 70's and what it was like to attend concerts back then. The shows were more of an event then just a money making production like they are now. Watching some parts of the DVD actually brought tears to my eyes thinking back on how much fun we had back then. This is a great tribute to the 70's music scene. I saw Frank several times after this show but still think that this show was the most fun. I miss the 70's and early 80's music scene terribly but at least I was able to get back into the moment briefly by watching this outstanding DVD and relive the moment with my teens who wish they could have been around back in the day.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I'm a diehard Zappa fan from way back and had this on VHS. I'm so thankful it was released on DVD. They did an incredible job. Not only is the transfer excellent but their are lots of extras. Just seeing Frank at his peak with this phenomenal group of musicians is enough, but it doesn't stop there. You'll fall out of your chair laughing at ex-Mother Roy Estrada and Ms. Pinky, his inflatable lover. Mind blowing claymations and behind-the-scenes mayhem abound. Even if you're a casual Zappa fan, this is a MUST for your DVD library.
Rating:
Summary: for fans of Zappa only
Review: I've alaways appreciated Zappa as musician; his music has so many complex layers. Watching him perform with his band blew me away. It's obvious that only exceedingly talented musicians can perform his songs. The claymation was nothing short of incredible. The nightmarish sequences are guaranteed to haunt you long after viewing the DVD. Zappa's stage performance is unique. The way he interacts with the audience demonstrates his love for his art and appreciation for those who embrace his music. For those who aren't that familiar with Zappa, I'd recommend first purchasing his "Does Humor Belong in Music?" If you are a fan, this DVD is a must have. I managed to watch it in one sitting. There are times it is difficult. I found the repeated sequences with the blow up doll disturbing at times; however, I just find blow up dolls to be disturbing in general. Maybe, that was just Zappa's point. Is Zappa a musical genius? This DVD will certainly make you ponder that possibility.
Rating:
Summary: for fans of Zappa only
Review: I've always appreciated Zappa as musician; his music has so many complex layers. Watching him perform with his band blew me away. It's obvious that only exceedingly talented musicians can perform his songs. The claymation was nothing short of incredible. The nightmarish sequences are guaranteed to haunt you long after viewing the DVD. Zappa's stage performance is unique. The way he interacts with the audience demonstrates his love for his art and appreciation for those who embrace his music. For those who aren't that familiar with Zappa, I'd recommend first purchasing his "Does Humor Belong in Music?" If you are a fan, this DVD is a must have. I managed to watch it in one sitting. There are times it is difficult. I found the repeated sequences with the blow up doll disturbing at times; however, I just find blow up dolls to be disturbing in general. Maybe, that was just Zappa's point. Is Zappa a musical genius? This DVD will certainly make you ponder that possibility.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece!
Review: If you have never wittnessed Frank Zappa live...this is truely one amazing film to see! Live, Studio, claymation, backstage, you get it all with this flick! Not to mention superb audio tracks as well. A must for the Zappa enthusiust! I highly recomend this to anyone interested in Frank Zappa or the curious!
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