Rating: 
Summary: Edited Live U2 better than no U2
Review: This dvd is not a full concert complete concert. The dvd "concert" is a severely edited version of the best bits from the June 5 and June 6 shows in Boston. As mentioned in other reviews the editor has cut Mysterious Ways, Pride, People Get Ready, Gloria, and One. Also cut are Bono improvisations and references to other songs such as Sexual Healing, In My Life most likely for copyright reasons. However, with all these ommissions this is not the live concert in full and goes nowhere near the experience of a live U2 show. This is a DVD and I guess has been edited to be part of your U2 collection which already includes verisions of One and Pride. Or U2 simply were not happy with the standard of the songs for the edit. U2 have edited ALL they're videos in the past from Under a Blood Red Sky, Rattle and Hum which are collections of multiple concerts. Popmart live in Mexico is also an edit of two shows due to problems. The closest to a full complete concert is Zoo TV live in Sydney which has Trying to thow your arms around the World edited out. We've put up with it in the past and U2 have a history of knowing what they're doing. So for whatever reason the set list has been altered I suspect we'll all put up with it. The show itself is great but does not work as well on tv as zoo tv did. Zoo TV looked better on video than it did live. Popmart looked better live than it did on video. I suspect Boston looked better live than on video. However, Bono's voice is better than it has been for ten years, but breaks up on a few notes. The songs speak for themselves and the band's playing is as good as ever. Play this DVD and then Rattle and Hum DVD and the band sounds just as strong. The encore works better on television with the graphics and lighting in a lesser zoo tv tradition. All U2 fans and concert goers will buy the DVD for their collection and debate its contents for many years to come as all good U2 fans should. Finally, U2 are the greatest rock act going aroing and are the last pillar of a dying bread. For reference to actual set lists of the shows played go to U2tours.com.
Rating:
Summary: My surround-sound system LOVES this DVD!!
Review: Frankly, it sounds like U2's playing a sold-out arena in my little apartment - much to the dismay of my neighbor who's NOT a big U2 fan! Aside from the great sound quality, Elevation 2001 is also visually impressive. It delivers a prolific set-list of songs that includes:
I Will Follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Gone (an underrated song from the Pop CD), an even more rockin' version of The Fly, a curiously anti-NRA version of Bullet The Blue Sky, Bad, Where The Streets Have No Name (still my fav U2 song), Beautiful Day, and so on. Bono's voice is a little bit weak simply because it gave out a few nights earlier. And besides, the guy's not getting any younger. The important thing is that the Passion is still there. Does he sing "Bad" that way he did in 1984? Not quite.
Does he at least sing it with the same heart and soul despite the lack of his past vocal strength?
Absolutely. Elevation 2001 also has some very cool, special features including a 25 min. "making of" episode, alternate camera angles for most of the songs, and brief clips from other Elevation concerts as well as Zoo TV & Popmart.
Although their post-September 11th shows were even more heartfelt and emotional (for obvious reasons) - Bono, Edge, Larry, and Adam can hardly be blamed for that! Elevation 2001 still showcases an unbelievably great rock 'n' roll band from Dublin on a magical summer night in Boston. What more can we ask for?
Rating: 
Summary: Honestly, not a good DVD
Review: I bought the 2 DVD set edition, and it was a waste of time. The second DVD is just filler stuff, I think U2 included that just because wanted to make more money easily. A shame. The DVD concert contains great sound, great picture... but horrible performance. This was the first U2 DVD and is clearly a big mistake, it's like rattle & hum of the DVD era. The performance is just an average one, with horrible Bono's vocals. Also the setlist is not so good. Now all fans know this performance was edited. Several songs are presented here as a mix between 2 nights in Boston, and don't contain the whole concert. If you're a fan who wants to have a U2 DVD, go with The best of 1990-2000 or Slane Castle instead. Sadly, this is not the first time U2 release a bad performance on video. Pop Mart live From Mexico City was an average performance, and U2 should have released really great filmed shows like Buenos Aires or Santiago 1998.
Overall, this DVD is not a must have. Average performance, shortened and edited concert, bad Bono's vocals, etc. Don't buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Wow! This is an amazing show!
Review: About a week or two after I finally purchased U2's latest release, All That You Can't Leave Behind (which is certainly, in my opinion, also one of U2's absolute best albums ever), I went out and purchased this DVD. Until seeing this video, "Live At Red Rocks" was my favorite concert video by U2. I didn't think it would be possible to top that classic, but I can't believe I'm saying that this one did, in my view! The Elevation Tour 2001 Live in Boston DVD is hot... RED HOT! What a show! I've been a fan of U2 since high school, although I haven't kept up much with their music after Rattle & Hum. Their early albums were always my favorite. The album "All That You Can't Leave Behind" (released in 2001) was my re-introduction to the band after probably about 10 or 12 years and what a delightful re-introduction this was! I would have to say it is my favorite U2 album to date and the video of the Elevation Tour just pushed them over the top in my mind. This is an amazing video! If you get the chance to watch it, you just have to kill the lights and crank up the sound. It's like being at the show!!! I have seen all the other concert videos by U2 and this one tops them all from my perspective. There is a real "feel good" atmosphere about this show and the editing and production is so amazing that somehow they have managed to actually capture the feeling of being at the concert. The video ends on such a high note that you just feel grand after it's over and you want to watch it again and again. Since I am a believer in Jesus and have personally recognized a very impacting spiritual underlying element to U2's music, I will add this comment: As a Christian I just got supercharged watching this show. There is a real spiritually energized facet to this concert. It would be difficult for anyone not to notice, Christian or not. It surprised me in fact. I wasn't really expecting that or perhaps I should say looking for it as much as I was just looking forward to watching a good concert video. But it just added to the incredible emotion that U2's music played live generates anyway. My favorite songs on this video are Elevation, Beautiful Day, Until The End of the World, Where The Streets Have No Name (where Bono opens by singing the chorus to "40" and then as The Edge comes in with the guitars on "Streets" Bono says, "What can I give back to God for all the blessings He's poured out on me?" and then offers a prayer to the Lord saying that he'll lift high the cup of salvation, as a toast to our Father, and follow through on the promise he made to Him). The stage lights explode with glorious beams and brilliant rays of sunshine-like illumination (wow, wasn't that a descriptive mouthful - hehe) and Bono starts running around the heart-shaped walkway that encompases the stage. It is exhilarating! I almost started to cry. I was totally pumped though and cranked up the volume louder. The last three songs are my favorites also, which include: Stay, Wake Up Dead Man, and Walk On. In the final jam Bono cries out while playing his guitar, "THANK YOU!" The crowd cheers as if they think at first he is talking to them, but then he adds, "That's for Jesus!" And then again he shouts in song, "THANK YOOOOOOOOU! That's for Jesus! And unto the Almighty, thank You!" Then he shouts, "UNTO THE ALMIGHTY, thank You!!!" The band, together, starts singing a rocking rendition of Hallelujah. Bono is smiling with his head swaying back and forth in time with music while playing his guitar. Larry, Edge and Adam are jammin' their hearts out in the background. Stage lights project words all over the crowd that say, "Leave it behind," speaking of leaving behind everything that isn't love (and as the song Walk On says, "Love is not the easy thing; the only baggage you can bring..."). The emotion is charged and the air is electric! It feels as if God Himself just walked into the room! I was laughing and crying at this point while the speakers were pounding. I have to say that this concert is more spiritually charged than a lot of Christian concerts I've been to, which are often very routine and sometimes a bit religious feeling rather than anointed or "real." Heck, I felt better after watching this than I do most of the time after walking out of a church service (oops, as a Christian I'm not suposed to admit such things am I? - grin... Hey maybe we should just watch U2 videos at church - haha). No doubt that some Christians might take offence at portions of this live show by U2 because of Bono's two mentions of the "F" word (one of them is a lyric in the song "Wake Up Dead Man" - which refers to the "F***ed up" condition of the world and a prayer for Jesus to help), but even this is one of the reasons why I think U2 has captured the hearts of generation of music loving youth, because they are honest, real, not playing any religious games. They've never presented themselves as being anything other than a band that wants to make great music, but their faith (which is also manifested in much of their music) has carried along thousands of people with them on a quest for truth, not just in word but in expression and action. They have exhibited a faith that is real not plastic, religious or artificial. They often wear their heart out on their sleeves and they sing with such passion and sincerity that for anyone who has followed their music for any length of time it's near impossible to miss the spiritual element to U2. Quite simply put, Bono and the boys are not interested in religion... but through word, deed and song, it is remarkably clear that they are quite interested in God and quite determined to follow Him (as their most popular song shouts, "If you walk away, I will follow!"). Anyway, this is a great concert video. Great for old U2 fans and new. A title I am very pleased to have as a part of my collection. Good stuff!
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT CONCERT RUINED BY HACKNEYED CAMERA WORK¿
Review: What is it with concert videos? Why must every one be filmed using the same insipid music video cliches you'd expect to see in a MTV music awards broadcast? Why all the endless scene jumping every two seconds, zoom-in, zoom-out trick photography, gratuitous crowd shots, and, of course, the dreaded facial close-up; and where each flashing image is completely out of context with the one that proceeded it and the one that follows. Are concerts filmed this way because the director feels the need to display his talent with camera technology? Or does the director believe fast scene switches and facial close-ups are necessary to maintain our interest? If you're a U2 fan, you will probably want to own the new 'Elevation 2001 - U2 Live From Boston' DVD, but for my money, it is mostly disappointing, probably because my expectations were too high hoping it wouldn't be another predictable run-of-the-mill concert video. Worst of all is fast-pace cutting and editing of the actual concert footage. Why must we suffer a jump cut every one to two seconds? Just when you start to enjoy a scene, you're off to see a super close up of someone - and that someone is typically Bono, Bono, and MORE Bono - all to the detriment of the other band members. There would be no U2 without The Edge, but he is seen mostly in split second flash-by's. At least during the guitar solo in 'Bullet The Blue Sky' - The Edge's one brief moment to showcase his virtuosity - I expected the camera to stay focused on The Edge and his guitar, but no, just a quick flash, and then back to yet another facial close-up of Bono, or Bono running around the stage, like we might have forgotten about him during the two seconds the camera was pointing somewhere else. Most incredulous is the 'Director CAM Perspective' - talk about adding insult to injury - where we are treated to watching the director as he zealously applies his hatchet-work to this film. Who's brilliant idea was this? MEMO TO THE DIRECTOR: You weren't filming a GAP Jeans commercial, or a sequel to 'The Matrix'. Cool it with all the fast pace editing, clever camera gimmicks, and facial close-ups. The resulting effect does not create for the viewer the experience of actually being at the concert, it has the opposite effect: you just feel like you are sitting at home watching on T.V. a video heavily edited to create the artificial illusion that 'you are really there'. Next time, just use THREE cameras (one from the center, and one from each side), ditch the zoom lens, and try to stay on a wide stage shot for more than ten seconds, ok? And keep the camera locked on the guitar player during the solos. 'Elevation 2001 - U2 Live From Boston' could have benefited from some other considerations: Why isn't it presented in Wide Screen format? Why are there no sub-titles? And why were 'Mysterious Ways', 'Pride' and 'One' omitted? Seeing the new poignancy 'One' has taken on since the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the decision to not include 'One' is particularly unfortunate. No, it's not all woeful. This is U2, after all, and their performance here, of what was retained, is inspired and exhilarating. The live versions of 'Kite' and 'Walk Away' are especially compelling. And it's great to see 'BAD', 'Sunday Bloody Sunday', and 'The Fly' back in the set list again. Ignoring the obnoxious camera work, the picture quality is clear and sharp. And the sound quality is also first rate. Finally, if you don't mind Lo-Fi, bootleg quality audio, the 'Fan Cam' perspective provides a terrific alternative for allowing you watch the concert as if you really were there, with none of the distracting camera hi-jinx of the main feature...this is definitely the best feature of this DVD - too bad it wasn't used for the main footage, even if it only includes 12 songs. In any event, if you're a big fan of U2, you will still more than likely enjoy having this DVD in your collection. And if you were lucky enough to have attended one of the Elevation Tour shows like I was, you will be glad that something, anything, even this DVD, is now available as a concert momento - which is why it gets even 2 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Edited Live U2 better than no U2
Review: This dvd is not a full concert complete concert. The dvd "concert" is a severely edited version of the best bits from the June 5 and June 6 shows in Boston. As mentioned in other reviews the editor has cut Mysterious Ways, Pride, People Get Ready, Gloria, and One. Also cut are Bono improvisations and references to other songs such as Sexual Healing, In My Life most likely for copyright reasons. However, with all these ommissions this is not the live concert in full and goes nowhere near the experience of a live U2 show. This is a DVD and I guess has been edited to be part of your U2 collection which already includes verisions of One and Pride. Or U2 simply were not happy with the standard of the songs for the edit. U2 have edited ALL they're videos in the past from Under a Blood Red Sky, Rattle and Hum which are collections of multiple concerts. Popmart live in Mexico is also an edit of two shows due to problems. The closest to a full complete concert is Zoo TV live in Sydney which has Trying to thow your arms around the World edited out. We've put up with it in the past and U2 have a history of knowing what they're doing. So for whatever reason the set list has been altered I suspect we'll all put up with it. The show itself is great but does not work as well on tv as zoo tv did. Zoo TV looked better on video than it did live. Popmart looked better live than it did on video. I suspect Boston looked better live than on video. However, Bono's voice is better than it has been for ten years, but breaks up on a few notes. The songs speak for themselves and the band's playing is as good as ever. Play this DVD and then Rattle and Hum DVD and the band sounds just as strong. The encore works better on television with the graphics and lighting in a lesser zoo tv tradition. All U2 fans and concert goers will buy the DVD for their collection and debate its contents for many years to come as all good U2 fans should. Finally, U2 are the greatest rock act going aroing and are the last pillar of a dying bread. For reference to actual set lists of the shows played go to U2tours.com.
Rating:
Summary: This DVD Changed My Life
Review: This is the DVD that started it all. The obsession, the admiration, the adoration, the motivation and the inspiration. I was a neutral U2 fan before. Loved the songs With or Without You, Stay, Staring at the Sun, but it ended there. When my sister received this DVD for her birthday, I was the first to watch it (Since I 'had nothing better to do, and I'm bored'. Anyone guess where that line's from?) and was hooked. I was floored, literally, since I was sitting on the floor when I was watching it. The first thing that struck me was the amazing directing of the video. The scenes are so beautifully executed! The stretch of songs from Bad to With or Without you will leave you breathless. On the DVD, U2 werenn't merely a great rock band performing their greatest songs. They were the world's best rock band merging, blending, becoming one with their fans. The crowd interaction, the intensity of emotion, everything! The director and editors captured the moment perfectly, and I was stuck in the moment that I didn't want to get out of. And I've watched the concert through and through around 8 or so times. No other live concert comes close. (Not even the Led Zeppelin one I own) The DVD also comes with a documentary on the making and filming of the concert. Interesting stuff. The director seems ultra quirky and nervous but that probably added to his artistic brilliance in the creation of the footage. Get this DVD. You must. It changed my life. Gave me renewed inspiration to carry on in my country's dead end music scene. U2 forever!
Rating:
Summary: Good, But U2 Slane Concert is Better
Review: Great musical performances, but Bono's voice is a little hoarse on some tracks. The mixing emphasizes bass too much overall, and the voice is drowned out a little on a few songs. The Slane concert is much better overall. Bono's voice is really fresh on that one.
Rating:
Summary: A Great and Glitzy Show!
Review: This is a great two DVD set of U2 live in Boston, a couple of months before 9/11. I personally would rather see the post 9/11 materiel, and would prefer to see a bit different set list; I especially miss "One" and "Pride (In The Name Of Love)." While these would be my personal preferences, this is a fantastic show (it was actually taken from two shows) and anyone who enjoys the music of U2 will love this DVD. Standouts for me were the classics "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (the drum intro is better than ever and still gives me chills), and "Where the Streets Have No Name", as well as "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of", which really grew on me the more I watched this (and heard the song). To my ear though, the best performance in the show would have to be "Walk On". It sounds better than ever live, and the whole band is in absolutely perfect form. What an amazing way to end the show. On the second CD you get to watch the show from different camera angles than were in the film, and it's an interesting study looking at the choices available and then seeing what was selected for the final cut. There are a couple of other features with three other tracks from other concerts, and a time lapse movie of preparing the show from unloading the trucks through setting up the stage, etc. Overall I really liked the DVD and think it captures the energy of U2 in concert, but I do have one minor critique. Although the sound recording is top rate, some of the shots chosen by director Hamish Hamilton annoy me. The cinematography reminds me of an extended music video. The cuts come fast and frenetically, and just when you focus on something, it's gone and you have to refocus, only to start the process over again. It isn't a crime to spend ten or twelve seconds on The Edge or Bono before changing to another camera angle. It's a minor point, but this is typical of MTV, and should be left there, and not brought to an otherwise excellent feature length film.
Rating:
Summary: U2 Greatness!
Review: Awesome momentum. Not as amazing as thePost 9/11 Live show. I wish they had some of that footage. But, nonetheless, "Streets" still gives me chills each time I watch it.
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