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Michael Flatley - Feet of Flames

Michael Flatley - Feet of Flames

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great video; exciting, beautiful, vibrant and sexy.
Review: Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames is magnificient. This was Michael's last performance of his "Lord of the Dance" show. It was filmed live at Hyde Park in London in front of an audience of over 30,000. Although it includes all of the dances in the original, it takes it several steps further. There are 6 entirely new pieces in this video. Most of the orginal pieces have been reworked or expanded to accomodate over 100 dancers (spectacular). New songs have been added. The costumes have been changed. However, the most significant change is in the editing. This video is for those people who were frustrated by all the quick cut aways in the original "Lord of the Dance" video. Although it is not filmed in the quick flash MTV syle, it has an excitment to it that keeps your heart pounding throughout. The six entirely new pieces are: 1. A new Siamsa style dance. It is a quick lively ensemble piece, guaranteed to get every foot tapping. 2. A Gregorian chant syle piece sung by some very eerie monks (actually a choir called Dun). This one is a little strange but it grows on you. It is later incorporated in a ancient celtic "rumble" and is very effective. 3. A flute solo by Michael Flatley. Hauntingly beautiful, I think this is Michael's kiss goodbye to his audience. It's amazing the feeling of intimacy and love you can sense between this man and his audience, even on a video. 4. A breathtaking hardshoe solo, by the female lead Bernadette Flynn. This one is incredibly beautiful. The costume, the music, the grace, the beauty, just gorgeous. 5. The violin players, the band and Michael Flatley on flute in piece that I believe is called "Celtic Fire". Lots of life, lots of fun. 6. The piece that gives the video its name Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames. This is Michael's dance solo. There is no music just him and his incredible talent. I can't describe it, you just have to see. Even after you see it you won't believe that any human being can do what you just saw him do. The rest would be a review of "Lord of the Dance" but kicked up quite a few notches and filmed in a much more pleasing style. I think the word "masterpiece" is a pretty apt description.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The solo Feet of Flames alone is worth its weight in gold.
Review: The only thing wrong with this video is that it ends. Thank heaven for the rewind button. Michael Flatley is a better dancer now than at any time in his life, and he was always head and shoulders above anyone else. His final performance as Lord of the Dance was recorded in answer to his fans begging for another video. The entire production is larger and the editing cleaner. All of the Principal dancers are so much more assured and accomplish in their roles. At one time there are 110 dancers on the stage. Also, in this video, Michael, who also won the All Ireland competition on flute, plays three flute numbers. First is his own haunting Whispering Winds,then the accompaniment to Saiorse's "Dance of Love" and finally, the legendary Flute Jam, none of which were on the Lord of the Dance video. Then there is the solo number Feet of Flames where Michael Flatley has surely broken his own tapping world record of 35 taps a second. This sizzling performance has to have reached a speed of over 40. The solo Feet of Flames alone is worth the video's weight in gold. This is the latest performace of a true creative genius...but not the last.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Could do with a little less DRAMA
Review: I was very disapointed with this video... When I saw Riverdance I could not take my eyes off the TV....it was captivating. When viewing Feet of Flames I found myself forwarding the tape to get past the ridiculous drama that they seem to feel is necessary.... I found the eruptions of applause whenever FLatley appeared to be excessive... I wish they would stick to dancing w/minimal story plots that seem to be written to stroke Flatley's ego. Alot like watching the old silent movies with their exaggerated gestures. I never even finished the tape... I put it in with the other discards that goodwill is picking up this week.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best show ever!!!
Review: Even though this is Lord of the Dance, just a bit of a different version, it is way better!! I love how Michael Flatley was able to get all of his dancers on one stage...on BIG stage!!! I love Anne Buckley's new songs, Daire Nolan's new costume, Bernadette Flynn's new costume, and Michael's solo on flute and solo dance.I think this show is worth every minute. If you think Lord of the Dance was good, you NEED to see Feet of Flames!!! I really don't know how to describe it!! Exhilarating, powerful, fast, and emotional!! "The Duel" will keep you on the edge of seat and "Feet of Flames" will make think his feet really are blowing up!!! If you want fast action, this is it. I really want to give this video more than five stars, but I am limited, because it is worth it! This video made me laugh, cry and dance! I don't what else to say but buy it, watch it, watch it again, and watch it again, and again, and again!! It is worth every penny and every second!! Love, light and energy!! :) :) :) :) :) ;) :) :) :) :)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Michael Flatley: Dancing on top O' the world
Review: Me oh my, he's done it yet again. Irish dance king Michael Flatley is back in his big bang exit from being the star of his show in "Feet of Flames", twice as entertaining as "Lord of the Dance" and twice as sexy, too. This time around, Michael has produced some different choreography to the original numbers, along with all new songs and new costumes as well. Flatley, along with Irish composer Ronan Hardiman, has added a Euro-pop touch to some of the new numbers, with blaring house music that'll make you feel like you are in a disco. Also new, is Lord Flatley giving his bit at the Irish Flute. He is a world champion Flautist, and it definetly shows in 2 of the songs performed on this video; one called "Whipering Wind", a serine and beautiful song that shows a bit of Michael's soft side, and reminds one of being in Ireland his or her self. The other is a rousingly fast jam with all the band, and it seems as if you are at a rock concert rather than at a dance show-in one word, superb. The cast of main dancers is the same as last time, who are now seasoned into the limelight of Flatley's good energy and fun. They are all in their teens and early twenties, some of them who have been dancing all their life. They give off the feeling that they are having such a great time, and never show any signs of tiredness or fatigue. All in all, if you are a fan of Irish dance or have never seen it before, I highly suggest this video. It will make you wanna dance, I guarantee!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Don't purchase this video
Review: Well, I am going to be very blunt about this video. I was most disgusted with the dancing- it was vulgar. My children were sitting and watching it with me when we got it and my kids walked out of the room on their own. I have been very protective of the things I put in front of my kids and I see the fruit of our protection. They do not see this kind of movie as entertainment- my daughter said that it was disgusting-

I am going to throw my video in the garbage. IF you want to watch celtic dancers throw themselves at each other while dancing then you would enjoy this. The drama was seductive/ suggestive and I thought completely unnecessary.

I love celtic dance. I love to dance it and I love to watch it, but I did not come away thinking about what great dances there were in this video. What stands out to me is all of the drama created- Michael who seems quite wrapped up in his self in this video, and the "bad" lead lady- her dancing could very well be seen in a nightclub for men only!!

Drama is great with dancing but should accent the dance not distract from it. Celtic is such a fun dance and "Feet of Flames"- just perverted it. Definitely not a movie for impressionable children/teens!!!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great video; exciting, beautiful, vibrant and sexy.
Review: Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames is magnificient. This was Michael's last performance of his "Lord of the Dance" show. It was filmed live at Hyde Park in London in front of an audience of over 30,000. Although it includes all of the dances in the original, it takes it several steps further. There are 6 entirely new pieces in this video. Most of the orginal pieces have been reworked or expanded to accomodate over 100 dancers (spectacular). New songs have been added. The costumes have been changed. However, the most significant change is in the editing. This video is for those people who were frustrated by all the quick cut aways in the original "Lord of the Dance" video. Although it is not filmed in the quick flash MTV syle, it has an excitment to it that keeps your heart pounding throughout. The six entirely new pieces are: 1. A new Siamsa style dance. It is a quick lively ensemble piece, guaranteed to get every foot tapping. 2. A Gregorian chant syle piece sung by some very eerie monks (actually a choir called Dun). This one is a little strange but it grows on you. It is later incorporated in a ancient celtic "rumble" and is very effective. 3. A flute solo by Michael Flatley. Hauntingly beautiful, I think this is Michael's kiss goodbye to his audience. It's amazing the feeling of intimacy and love you can sense between this man and his audience, even on a video. 4. A breathtaking hardshoe solo, by the female lead Bernadette Flynn. This one is incredibly beautiful. The costume, the music, the grace, the beauty, just gorgeous. 5. The violin players, the band and Michael Flatley on flute in piece that I believe is called "Celtic Fire". Lots of life, lots of fun. 6. The piece that gives the video its name Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames. This is Michael's dance solo. There is no music just him and his incredible talent. I can't describe it, you just have to see. Even after you see it you won't believe that any human being can do what you just saw him do. The rest would be a review of "Lord of the Dance" but kicked up quite a few notches and filmed in a much more pleasing style. I think the word "masterpiece" is a pretty apt description.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Oh, for More Dancing, Less Posturing
Review: I can think of ever so many aspects of this which could stand improvement, but when the dust has settled, this is still a show which is great fun to watch, and which is a document of Flatley as a performer. He may have his shortcomings as a choreographer, as a set designer, as a costumer, as an autocratic impresario; but the fellow could dance, even on the eve of what was a very sensibly-timed retirement.

Even if we see in him a charismatic PR man for his own product, as much as we see a fine dancer, we may bemoan that the aim was not higher and nobler; but we still can't take the dancing away from him.

So it is that, even with all the shortcomings, we give this one four stars.

On the whole, this was a great improvement on the original 'Lord of the Dance'; one significant way in which it is a disappointment, though, in comparison to the original 'LOTD' is, originally, Flatley defeated the 'Dark Lord' (almost painful to type things like 'Dark Lord' and try to keep a straight face, but it must be attempted) by outdancing him. In this show, he blows him away with pyrotechnics; the show has flash enough, thank you, and it was sad to see a great 'dancing moment' done away with, with so little to show for its absence.

Many of the costumes, especially, were an advance ' but there were still the goofy moments, like the 'defiant' stripping-down of the ladies of the company to undergarments. In general, of course, Flatley would be the first beneficiary, if there were such a thing as booster-shots of Good Taste. This, generally, is the most important respect in which Flatley's work was finer with Riverdance: there was someone else more or less in charge, and Flatley had to work on stage with other dancers of experience and talent. With 'LOTD' and 'Feet of Flames,' Flatley surrounded himself with young talent; partly, this does indeed make for part of the impressiveness of the accomplishment; but it also means that Flatley is The Guru ' and there are aspects of the show which would have benefited, if Flatley had had to listen to sense ....

The music ' well, the music for dancing works well enough as accompaniment, although it falls a little short as music on its own. The 'rock star violin' sequence, the goofy pseudo-monks, and Michael's flute solo, to my taste, could have been done without, quite nicely.

This was a show which could have been raised to the level of ballet, and which instead paid a little too much homage to the ghost of Busby Berkeley, and made too much of a pilgrimage to Vegas. But it is nonetheless quite an impressive achievement; and on the whole, great fun to watch.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Simply the best
Review: On July 25, 1998, in Hyde Park, history was made. Performing on the largest stage ever built, Michael Flatley with over 100 dancers performed Feet of Flames in front of an audience of 50,000 people.

With the plan of it being his last performance, Michael Flatley decided to do one last, huge, triumphant and expanded version of Lord of the Dance. He called it after his solo: Feet of Flames. The entire show is Michael performing at his best. Compared with the original Lord of the Dance, Michael and all the dancers have become much more free, and they relate to the audience at an incredible level. With all new costumes, added dances and songs, Feet of Flames is truly a masterpiece.

Michael's flute solo Whispering Wind, is a touching traditional air. He is a world champion flautist and his playing is beautiful. Celtic Fire (a new number with the band) showcases the often neglected talents of the musicians. It is traditional Irish music played in very untraditional way, and it is absolutely fantastic. The new Siamasa number is simply a joy to watch. The dancers look happy, and are so energetic one just wants to get up and dance with them. But the most incredible part of the entire show is Michael's new solo. With no music and no other dancers, it shows just what he does. From slower, variated rhythm patterns, to blazingly fast footwork, and everything in between, this is Michael Flatley's masterpiece.

I have watched Feet of Flames 30+ times since I got it this past October, and I absolutely love it. The 'Making of FOF: Into the Fire' is almost a full length film in and of itself, and gives a fantastic day by day report of the two weeks leading up to the show. Feet of Flames is Michael Flatley at his best.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best dance shows I've ever witnessed.
Review: I'll try my best to do this production as much justice as I can. This performance, titled "Feet Of Flames" is billed as Michael Flatley's last performance in the role of the "Lord Of The Dance" and I think he does an excellent job here! It is a fitting send-off, very grand and epic in scope and scale. I did get to see the original Lord Of The Dance show live on stage in Philadelphia in 1997 and was totally blown away by the experience. The dancing, the beautiful music and the celestial and haunting singing of Anne Buckley remain in my heart to this very day. There is just something about hearing that music live and feeling the vibrations course through your body with every step the dancers make. It gives new meaning to the saying that you just HAVE to be there. There is NOTHING like the energy of a live stage dancing performance. Particularly not one like this one, with sure fire and energy and passion.
Do not be fooled into thinking that is is just an out-of doors version of the original Lord Of The Dance show. It IS in a sense, and yet in many ways it is not. This show takes the original Lord Of The Dance production and kicks it into high gear. All of the original music and dances are back, but the dance routines look different a bit and more elaborate. They are longer and feature quite a bitof more complicated step work and more character interaction. There are also many new dances and more original musical pieces that make this a totally new experience.
I loved the fact that Bernadette Flynn (the "good" girl in the show) got to do her own solo dance in the middle of this. It really gave her a chance to shine. The new numbers played by the dueling violinists were lively and lovely at the same time. The costumes and sets for this show were much bigger and elaborate than those for the original show. I would EASILY say that for me, the combination of old music and new numbers with more elaborate and totally new dance sequences was wonderful to watch. It made certain that I did not feel I was watching "the same old show" done over again. There were just so many new things to see and to hear and to take in. I loved Michael Flatley's solo flute performance near the beginning of act two. Very lovely stuff. I must say though that for me the highlight was another chance to hear Anne Buckley sing. What a GOLDEN voice. So beautiful and tender, yet rich and deep and passionate. The three songs she did here were even better to me than the ones she sang in the original Lord Of The Dance show. Her version of "Marble Halls" to me was even better than Enya's rendition, which I had previously loved. Ms. Buckley introduced me to the haunting love ballad "Carrickfergus" that had me reaching for my Kleenex even as I was wide-eyed and smiling from ear to ear. And the Gaelic piece she did (An Maigdean Mhara, if my memory serves correctly) was so beautiful that mere seconds after Ms. Buckley began to sing this number, my floodgates FLEW open and did not close for the full 3+ minutes of this song. Also I loved the fact that in this show instead of having just the green hooded cape for all three of her numbers, this time Anne got to wear three diffferent and very beautiful dresses, one for each song that she did (green, white, and gold). Exquisite costumes to fit with a stunning voice and an incredible beauty with great stage prescence. I for one cannot wait for her solo debut album.
In short, this was an unforgettable experience. I have loved Celtic music and dance for years now and this performance only made my fires burn all the hotter with enthusiasm. The music, the dancing, the lighting, the story of a noble warrior saving his land from a dark knight's conquest...they combined to take my breath away and give me one of the greatest entertainment experiences of my life. If you get to see this I hope you get to enjoy it and even love it as much as I did. I still love this show today, more than two years after I got to see it, and I know I always will. Peace.


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