Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Movie - Even Better DVD with lots of great extras
Review: This is a wonderful movie and a great DVD where the extras really do add a lot of value to your viewing experience. I am one of those the movie is aimed at. I was born in Detroit and grew up in Wayne, MI listening to CKLW, WXYZ, Keener 13, and later WABX and the others. The music of Motown was an important part of my youth. As the movie says, "Motown was the sound track of our lives". Maybe a bit of hyperbole, but poetically it certainly has a ring of truth to it.This movie is about the session musicians that made the "sound" Motown became famous for. These musicians weren't paid much of anything, worked long hours, and lived for decades in anonymity. It is great that they are now able to speak for themselves and we get to meet them in such a sympathetic way. This is an affectionate presentation of these men. There is very little in the way of "investigative reporting" (thank heavens) to try and expose the very human flaws that any human life contains in abundance. Nor does it play up the pain and conflicts within Motown and barely mentions Berry Gordy at all. It really is a celebration of the session musicians and its purpose is to let us get to know them. In this it succeeds wonderfully. I don't know about you, but after viewing the movie I still wanted to know more about these musicians both for their playing and as people. There are two DVDs and there is a bunch of really neat stuff to help us get to know these musicians a bit more. In addition to the standard deleted scenes and trailers we get a short with these guys talking around a table (at dinner the DVD says) talking about the old days. We also get video biographies of the musicians including the ones that have passed away. And there is a "jam session" with three tunes of these guys playing together. If you even just enjoyed Motown music this DVD is worth having. Your appreciation of what went into the creation of the music and the musicians who played it will increase tremendously.
Rating:
Summary: Great mix of music and history.
Review: The cover of Standing in the Shadows of Motown makes a provocative statement: "They played on more #1 records than the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley combined." But if you're like me, you've never heard of them. Even if you're not the Motown fan that I am, I bet you HAVE heard their music though. They were the band for artists like Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, The Temptations, and countless others to draw fame from the Motown label, yet, even to this day, they are virtually unknown. Meet the Funk Brothers. I learned a lot from this video, which is an excellent mix of documentary and music. Even if you're not interested in history, I'd recommend this video just for the sheer pleasure of listening to the music. I watched it when no one else was home, cranked up the TV to a volume I rarely get to otherwise, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Make no mistake, this movie is mostly music--good, solid Motown music. Great anecdotal stories told by the surviving members of the band and narrated history weaves around the music, but the information was so unfamiliar to me that I never got bored with the narration. Music is so integral to these artists' lives and personalities that many of the interviewees couldn't help but hum or pluck out notes while they spoke. As this movie demonstrates, the Funk Brothers were consummate creators without whom we'd have missed so much of our musical heritage that it's frightening. I sincerely hope that more people will rent and buy this video so that the Funk Brothers can finally realize some of the recognition they so richly deserve.
Rating:
Summary: Nice DTS 6.1 audio and a great documentary!
Review: The documentary about Motown is well told and the performances that breath new life into some classic songs are, for the most part, incredible. Some Motown purists may object to contemporary interpretations of the music.
Rating: 
Summary: Long Overdue Tribute To Legendary Musicians
Review: after watching this film, i found it truly amazing that these talented gentleman known as the "funk brothers" are just now getting the recognition they deserve. i'm a bass player, and thanks to this film, i can finally put a face to my biggest influence, james jamerson. i can't help but think that he'd still be alive today if he'd just gotten this kind of recognition during his struggling years. the dvd itself is packed with wonderful extras that'll have you glued to the set for hours on end, soaking up all the great stories of the funk brothers, sharing their joy as the legacy is finally celebrated.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable
Review: These are the musicians that dominated our lives with their "soulful jazz" recordings while supporting the singing legends. Wonderfully illustrated. Not actors (while a couple could be). Musicians. Emotions are felt while listening to their stories and their music. Nothing intended to be taken away from technicians, engineers, singing artists or the janitor who cleaned and polished the floors. (Perhaps those feeling left out can now do their own documentary as - once again - the Funk Brothers have opened the doors.) After having seen this movie twice, having the opportunity in attending a recent performance and now OWNING the DVD I totally understand why Motown never released hits at the same pace as when the Snake Pit was jamming. Just as with the music, my movie collection would not be complete without this one. I am hoping for another movie from these greats. Another CD with anyone singer or an instrumental? Good for the Funk Brothers.
Rating:
Summary: Where was this movie's Oscar nod?
Review: I saw this movie in a theatre in Pittsburgh, PA and let me tell you, midway through the movie, everybody was dancing (literally in the aisles dancing! Old and young, black and white, nothing mattered during that film. If a movie can have that sort of unifying factor amongst everyone in that theatre, I wanna' know where this movie's Oscar nod was! The stories from The Funk Brothers shed a whole new light on Motown and makes you really appreciate it even more (even if you're already a Motown fanatic). Once you finish this movie, there is no argument (even amongst you music snobs and fanatics): Motown is the greatest record label of all-time.
Rating:
Summary: SIMPLY WONDERFUL
Review: This is a "must have" for anyone with fond memories of Motown. The comment about people applauding after every song is true -- Joan Osborne's rendition of "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?" is an absolute showstopper! The number of hit songs that these musicians helped make is simply astounding (the list rolls by at the end of the movie -- all too quickly; yet another reason to look forward to the DVD). I can't reccommend this title more strongly.
Rating:
Summary: If You Love Music, Don't miss this
Review: Saw this in a packed city library theater in Park City, Utah. How many times have you heard applause for a movie song...after almost every song. How many times have you seen the entire audience singing ALL the songs. How many times have you seen people dancing in the aisles? [really]. I lived in Detroit during this era and these guys were the best. DON'T MISS!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fantastic- you have to see it!
Review: I saw this film at the theater, and wished I could stay in my seat to watch it again. It's a documentary about the exceedingly fine musicians who called themselves the Funk Bros., and who provided the solid groove for just about every Motown star you can think of. It centers around a reunion concert (think Buena Vista Social Club)with the Funk Brothers backing up a great bunch of contemporary singers singing old Motown hits. Thoroughly enjoyable start to finish, and a story that really needed to be told. I'm ashamed to admit that I never gave a thought before this movie to who was backing up (for example) Marvin Gaye. I'm listening to old R&B differently since this movie...
Rating:
Summary: Great band, wonderful story about the lousy music business
Review: I love this movie, I have watched it several times. It is about a time when musicians could play instruments live in the studio and create a sound of their own. The songs and the music of Motown speaks for itself.
My only problem with this picture is the choice of singer/performers they used to recreate these wonderful classics live. It was a [bad] choice of people who have nothing to do with this great era of music. This is still a must have video.
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