Rating: 
Summary: Technical perfection can be fun!
Review: There will never be a winner in the Flantley vs Dunne debate, which is perhaps appropriate, as the true star of the show is the music and dance, ably assisted by Colin Dunne, Jean Butler, Katie McMahon, et al. The sheer power of this production is overwhelming. Even those who are not afficianados of the dance will be enthralled by the pounding rhythms and dizzying movements of the dancers. The joy of Riverdance is apparent in the interplay between the performers, masterfully captured in this video. When the dancers are enjoying themselves, the audience feeds on the enthusiasm, and a performance becomes a memorable event. Riverdance - Live from New York City is just such an occasion. If I ever find a time machine, I'm going back to catch the premier! What a show!
Rating:
Summary: Liked the original Riverdance? Wait till you see this!
Review: The original Riverdance video was terrific, but I think this is even better. The fantastic dancing and lightning-precision choreography of the original is kept here, and the delightful international cast and multiculturalism of the original is expanded upon in this production with a pair of African-American tap-dancers who do a wickedly funny "duel" with Colin Dunne. Jean Buter shines, of course, just as she did in the original. Colin Dunne, while not quite as good technically as Michael Flatley, is nevertheless highly skilled, and even more of a delight to watch since Dunne's focus seems to be more on making the production as a whole look good rather than on calling attention to his own "amazing feet feats." Dunne's self-deprecating humor in the above-mentioned "duel," as a tap dancer parodies Irish dance, is alone worth the price of the video. This video is a great companion piece to the original and not a repeat!
Rating: 
Summary: A Reviewer from Canada
Review: I have a previous version of this DVD. However it is two side and not convenient. I wait for a new version like this one for a long time. Unfortunately, this "Superbit" DVD picture quality is not good. I fully agree the review of another reviewer on Dec/17/2003. The only benefit I got from this DVD is "One Side".
Rating: 
Summary: A revelation
Review: The first time I saw a Riverdance production it was on PBS with Michael Flatley in the lead. I was thrilled and amazed by this new and exciting performance. When the show caught on, of course I kept my eye out for any new performances on video. Even the poor video production could not keep the gooseflesh from rising on my skin. M.Flatley is a fine performer, and doesn't he know it. He oozes showmanship in every gesture. If you like that sort of thing, then stay away from this tape. For it is filled with the kind of heartfelt, passionate, energized performances that can only be given when the performer forgets himself. It is obvious to any viewer that the chemistry between Griffin Dunne and Jean Butler is far more real, the sheer joy of the dancers more apparent, and the fun more lively than in the original version. Unfortunately bad video production casts a shadow on an otherwise stellar show, changing camera angles frequently and annoyingly avoiding full body shots (a MUST when filming dance, particularly this sort). But I got a truer sense of what Riverdance was supposed to be from this video with THESE dancers than I would've gotten from a hundred live performances with Mr. Flatley.
Rating: 
Summary: Technically this DVD is a Disaster
Review: Terrific performance. Choppy editing. I was looking forward to getting this wide screen Superbit DVD. What a disappointment! First of all, it's not wide screen--it's actually SHORT screen. On a wide screen TV it takes less space than a "full screen" 4:3 DVD or VHS tape. That is, large black bands on the sides and narrower black bands on the top and bottom. One can try the "zoom" function on the TV, but with two unfortunate consequences: You lose the top and bottom of the pucture and you make the already very poor definition picture even worse. Superbit indeed! In short, though described as "anamorphic" on the box, it surely is NOT. It's extremely fuzzy on my 50" monitor, much more so than almost any of the many dance DVDs that we own. As another reviewer suggested, they could have produced this travesty by simply copying a VHS tape. Superbit? Forget it!
Rating:
Summary: A MUST-OWN for any Serious Lover of Theater
Review: By now, "Riverdance" has become an indelible part of popular culture, both exalted as a brilliant one-of-a--kind theatrical experience and exhausted as a concept by copycat companies around the world -- and Las Vegas (think Michael Flatley)! The original Riverdance, however, is a thrilling ride - a lyrical tale of the evolution of dance set against the Irish struggle for Independence. For sheer magic, however, you don't need to be Irish to appreciate the beauty and grace with which this story is told...both in music and dance. Although newer companies may visit your town every year around St. Patty's Day, the original Riverdance is a coup of the human spirit - a dizzying swirl of gosamer feet that seem to lift off the stage. Seeing "Riverdance" in person during its first incarnation was easily one of the top 10 highlights in my own theater loving life. But - instead of splurging for tickets to a sub-par production, I heartily recommend watching this DVD first. That way, you'll experience the magic as it was meant to be experienced and then be able to decide if you really need to see it on stage. Beware of poor imitators like Flatley, whose "Feet of Flames" is a bit over the (narcisistic top) --- just plug in this DVD, crank up the volume, and bear witness to the original one-of-a-kind thrill-ride that IS "Riverdance." I bet you'll find yourself applauding after most of the numbers, and unexpectedly starting a standing ovation in your living room before you even know it! An astounding musical dance work of art!
Rating:
Summary: A Reviewer from Canada
Review: I have a previous version of this DVD. However it is two side and not convenient. I wait for a new version like this one for a long time. Unfortunately, this "Superbit" DVD picture quality is not good. I fully agree the review of another reviewer on Dec/17/2003. The only benefit I got from this DVD is "One Side".
Rating:
Summary: A Wierd Similarity
Review: I am a huge fan of Riverdance. I remember the first time i saw it on PBS. Afterwards we ordered the video. I noticed something in the final dance before the credits when everyone came out to dance. On Maria Pages right, there were three African Americans. In the new version there is a dance that features African Americans. The dance must have been cut out of the video. Anyways, the new Riverdance is just as good if not even better then the original!! It's a great buy!
Rating:
Summary: Very interesting
Review: Now that the phenomenon has faded, I decided to give Riverdance a look and see what all the fuss was about. This is Broadway entertainment, sometimes overly flamboyant, even hammy, but there is undeniably some good music and extraordinary dancing to be found here. I did not realize how much the dancing is offset by musical numbers, but it works out nicely, and gives those beleaguered dancers a chance to rest before their metabolism eats the last remnants of flesh off their bones. Now I feel adequately prepared to judge 'Lord of the Dance' and 'Feet of Flames.' We'll see how it goes.
Rating: 
Summary: Concert, not a Music Video
Review: This is riverdance, it's a phenomenom - serious marketing, lots of touring companies, good music, Eileen Ivers, Micheal Flattery, etc. You'd think with all this money and talent they'd have a clue how to make a DVD of it! First off - the music and dancing is pretty good; I personally think it's overproduced and overdramatized, but my wife and son just LOVED it. With that out of the way - I don't think it would be possible to make a more jumpy production - they didn't keep the same camera angle for more that 10 seconds thruout the whole thing. And half the time they showed just the top half of the irish dancers. Well, THAT part doesn't move! at LEAST show the feet! I can kinda see it for a VHS tape, but this is a DVD - ever hear of multiple viewpoints? I'm sure they just dumped the VHS off to DVD without doing much to it - make some extra money and all that, but if they'd taken some care they could have had a WONDERFUL product and I wouldn't feel quite so seasick! OK, if you made it this far - if you saw and loved Riverdance, well, until they make a REAL DVD production, ya might as well buy this one! The production seems to match what Riverdance is all about, lots of flash! If you haven't seen it - your best bet would be go SEE riverdance first so you can appreciate it, THEN buy this DVD!
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