Rating: 
Summary: Rush to buy this one
Review: OK, OK, we've heard everyone moan and complain about the mix on this DVD -the simple fact is that this live show sounds better than RUSH's previous live video <>A Show of Hands<>. This is the best live RUSH DVD available and it's pretty darn good.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Listen To the Anti-Hype
Review: First off, I would have to say that if you are a real Rush fan and are considering NOT buying this DVD based upon some of the reviews posted here, you're crazy. Period.While the audio on this DVD is not perfect, it's far from being as bad as some here would lead you to believe, and giving up on this DVD because the mix is not "studio quality" is like throwing out the baby with the proverbial bath water. This is a great DVD. Although I did not care for it as much as their last two concert releases, no Rush fan is going to be disappointed with their purchase. The DVD is crammed with classic Rush tunes, along with some of their most recent studio tracks. The crowd is absolutely incredible. At times they actually seem louder than the band, and that is NOT because of bad mixing! I thought that hearing the crowd sing along to YYZ was especially hilarious, considering that the song has no lyrics! The highlights of the DVD for me were the Neil Pert drum solo (amazing, even for Neil) and Alex Lifeson's "Tribute To Jazz". You'll have to watch the DVD to get the joke though. I put off buying this DVD for several months, and regret not having bought it sooner. It's worth every dime I paid for it, and I'm guessing that most people will probably wind-up playing this DVD over and over, hundreds of times. It's certainly more enjoyable to watch than Exit... Stage Left. Seriously, this DVD belongs on the shelf of any and every serious Rush fan. Don't believe the anti-hype of the other reviews. You won't regret your purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant Music but average sound mixing
Review: Rush at their best - great performances and a great set list. I'm not sure what the previous reviewer is talking about - the sound mixing is not that great. Simply, the vocal track needs to be louder and clearer, as it is in a live show. When Geddy Lee is speaking in between some songs, his voice is almost inaudible. Rush even admit on the DVD that the Rio setup was hastily done and there was no time for a sound check. By contrast, U2 at Slane Castle is an example of an excellent concert 5.1 sound mix.
Rating:
Summary: It's the soup!
Review: Rush's DVD has been a long time coming, but I for one believe it was worth the wait. I own several DVD's from such bands as Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Dream Theater, and AC/DC, and I think that this one here is probably my favorite of them all. This performance is just magical, and while I'm certain that watching this on TV is but a billionth of the real live experience, it certainly delivers. The setlist is fantastic, including all of the classics, and a few obscure tracks as well. The band delivers with passion and precision that makes it difficult to believe that they're in their 50's. Alex Lifeson has a great stage presence, with his goofy antics and endless arsenal of guitars. Neil Peart is just amazing (although a bit stiff; looks a bit like the terminator playing drums, but it works for him), especially his solo (certainly one of the best drum soloists in rock). And Geddy just rocks as well. His vocals are top notch, as is his drumming and keyboard work. It's difficult to pick high points, because there's hardly an off moment here. The aforementioned drum solo is certainly worth a mention, as well as the extended "La Villa Strangiato" (disappointed that they cut out the acoustic intro, though). A lot of the newer material, like "Driven", "Earthshine", and "Roll the Bones", is fantastic as well. If I absolutely had to pick a favorite moment, I'd go with the acoustic version of "Resist". This version really is stunning, much moreso than the original. Such an emotional performance, and Geddy's vocals here on among the best I've ever heard from him. He's not a bad guitarist, either. The documentary is fantastic as well. Very interesting, as well as entertaining. It really gives you an insight as to how cool and down to earth these guys are, and how much they genuinely appreciate their fan support. Plus, they're just total goofballs, which is always good. ;) This is a spectacular DVD. If you love Rush, buy this now.
Rating:
Summary: Rush - Bow to Alex, Geddy and Neil
Review: OK, the reason I decided to write this review is that s_mccrea from Henderson, NV actually had the chutzpah to mention Clay Aiken in a review of a Rush CD. So, let me deal with that first. Mr./Ms.McCrea: NEVER COMPARE RUSH TO CLAY AIKEN AGAIN. . . . . .OK, now that I have that taken care of. . . This is classic Rush. Turn your subwoofer down 1-3 notches, turn it up loud, and enjoy. I am 40. The first RUSH show I saw was the Grace Under Pressure tour, and I've seen them 3 times since. I will see them again 6/13 in Kansas City on their 30th anniversary tour. I can only dream that they'll play such an awesome set list. Regarding the sound, I don't know what to say. When I'm seeing them live, they always sound perfect. When I listen to live albums or this video, it's not perfect, but it's still incredibly intricate rock and roll played to the 9's. It's not "bad," it's just "live." It's different. Deal with it. The folks that want live concerts to sound like the records don't get it. I have the Boston Acoustics/Kenwood "unity" DVD system. With a very minor manipulation of the speakers, it sounds AWESOME. A little less bass. Play with the rear speakers, as the majority of the crowd noise is located there. If you want to hear them, keep them level or increase. If you want to minimize, then decrease. It's not complicated or difficult (as long as you know how to use your $20,000 remote control. . .heh heh heh). Rush is an AWESOME band. A live experience like no other. This DVD is the epitome (to date) of a very significant career. I only hope they record this summer's tour. I'll buy that and enjoy it, too. Regarding the crowd in this show: unbelievable. Their familiarity with the music, especially given the paucity of available RUSH music in Brazil: amazing. Their energy as they rush the stage when they are let in: palpable. The fact that they know every lyric and every note in the instrumentals: quite frankly, moving. The girls: not like the girls at the Kansas City and Chicago shows I've seen, that's for darn sure! If you've never heard RUSH live: you need this DVD If you've seen them once, ten times, or follow them like a "Dead-head:" you need this DVD. Deal with the issues!
Rating:
Summary: great dvd...brings back fun memories
Review: I think this is a great dvd. I was happy with the selection of songs they played....although was hoping for Red Barchetta.
La Villa Strangiato was my favorite performance...especially Alex Lifeson's weird lyrical solo.
If you like Rush....I would recommend this dvd. note to self : Dont become an audiophile. I think these reviewers are so caught up in their silly little audiophile world, they can't even enjoy a good show
Rating:
Summary: A live performance was never so realistically registered
Review: There's been a lot of discussion about the sound quality of this DVD: some peole say it's not good and others are saying it is just great, and I'd like to give my personal contribution.I live in Porto Alegre (in southern Brazil) where Rush played three days before they recorded this DVD in Rio (there are some scenes from the show I was in on the documentary of disc 2) and I may confess that the sound of this DVD is incredibly identical to the one I had the pleasure to listen live. It's amazingly heavy and totally crude. It's great and I sotrongly believe that this was achieved because they avoided overdubing the original sound. In fact there are some songs like "Secret Touch" that you can even notice some misadjustments on the efects they use (observe Alex backing vocals). There are also some deep low tunes at the beginnng of the drum solo wich I had to fight a little with a graphical equalizer to not to saturate my DTS equipment. One can clearly observe that the efforts were to make this DVD sounds as close as possible to the live performance, and that includes the "imperfections" of a live environment. Most of the DVDs that are recorded live, are so much altered (overdubbed) that, most of the time, you loose the "live feeling" completely. However, with this DVD, Rush is proposing to break up with this terrible tradition, and that's why I believe that "Rush in Rio" is the best live performance video ever made. By the way: I have shown this DVD to several people and everybody stays shocked when they see it for the first time (Including my sister who always hated Rush). BELIEVE ME, IT'S A MUST HAVE.
Rating: 
Summary: No Anamorphic Video
Review: Despite what the packaging says, the video is not presented in anamorphic widescreen. Its standard widescreen, which means less than optimal resolution for digital widescreen TV owners. I wouldn't mind if it weren't labeled as being 16x9 anamorphic, which it is not. The audience is a little too loud for my liking as well. More vocals and instruments, less crowd noise would have been better, IMO.
Rating:
Summary: Expected better audio quality
Review: I don't need to constantly hear the din of the crowd to know it's a live show. It sounds like someone had the microphones turned towards the audience instead of the band. Aside from that it's a good show with a lot of good classic Rush songs.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent disc! Buy it.
Review: Very entertaining. Captures Rush very well. Sound QUALITY is Excellent. MIX is not but live shows are hard to get perfect. Geddy's Vocals ARE a little back or down in the mix but that is the only flaw I can find. Second disc is fun, great to see the guys being themselves. Multi angle was fun.
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