Supersonic

Popular musicians can pass from obscurity to worldwide fame in a very short period of time; and that's the focus of 'Oasis: Supersonic', a documentary which charts the rapid rise of the Gallagher brothers' band. It's a not uninteresting story: the group sprung from humble origins, its two leading figures were both combative in nature (especially with each other), but the basic narrative here is the story of sudden, overwhelming fame. There's a merciful absence of outside talking heads, which means we are spared solemn pontification abot their musical significance, but also there's no discussion of the general 'Britpop' phenomenon of which Oasis were just one part. But Noel and Liam are sufficiently frank that it doesn't feel like an airbrushed history either; we do get a sense of what it was actually like to be part of Oasis at this time. As with any music documentary, the music itself is part of it: personally I liked Oasis's their retro rock-and-roll sound even if it wasn't outstandingly innovative, so I enjoyed the soundtrack. The film ends with musing that, in the modern digital age, a similar story couldn't happen now. In general, I'm sceptical about theories about the end of history; even so, twenty-plus years since Oasis played Knebworth, it's hard to think of a band since that has, however briefly, seemed so totally to capture the national mood.

I have never been a big fan of Oasis, considering them to be a simple rehash of old musical ideas spiced up with a heavy dose of Manchester attitude, but I found this film to be utterly compelling. It was shown on TV in the UK at 10pm when I was ready to retire to bed but my wife and I ended up glued to it and watched the whole thing.

I played in a Manchester band in the early 90s and I thought I knew everything I needed to know about Oasis but this film revealed a new perspective. Rather than the snarling, foul-mouthed oaf he is depicted as in the UK media (and by his brother) we see Liam as a far more three-dimensional character, projecting glimmers of genuine charisma and talent alongside the sweary outbursts. It's a PR job of course, but a very good one nonetheless.

And that's where the only real problem with this film lies; it is an advert for brand Oasis and it is very kind to them. The film sees us through to the peak of their fame with the massive sold-out shows at Knebworth, but we don't get any insight into the wasted opportunities and rapid decline which followed. As impressive as the band's rise was, the story arc doesn't feel complete.

I would recommend this film to anyone interested in rock music though, even if they don't particularly like Oasis. In fact, if you don't know their story already that probably just makes it all the more interesting.

Just returned from watching this at Vue Bolton. Was mesmerising. The live Q&A after the film was light hearted & warm, with Liam trademark expletives. Charts the remarkable meteoric rise from a Manchester council estate to the massive Knebworth brace of gigs pumping out tracks to 250,000 exuberant fans. They were so hot, with 2.5 m requests for tickets, as Liam says, they 'could 'av still been playin now!'. In their own words, 'the biggest band in the world' at that time. This film was heartwarming in it's authenticity, it's portrayal felt very real. I left the theatre with a real sense that I knew Liam and Noel a little better, and understood them a little more. Their journey was extraordinary. The soundtrack powerful. There were many points in the film when the volume ramped up the rockin beats and the audience excitement palpable. A great feeling in the theatre that we had all seen something special. I also laughed many times. I hope there is a 'Part Two' charting what happened after Knebworth. Brilliant film & documentary. 9.5 / 10. Tony P

Regardless of the subject matter or the music, this is a brilliant documentary, never anything other than subjective. Obviously I'm a fan-boy, loving the first album despite phasing out after the release of the SOME MIGHT SAY single and disliking the 2nd album with growing apathy with each release and the growing super-stardom that followed. The summer of '94 brings great memories, with friends, whirlwind romances, chemical discoveries, and what not, fun coming out me ear-holes, with Definitely Maybe sound tracking it. I'd managed to stave off the tracksuit image....just.....but it all felt real still. I'd grown sceptical of what the band later achieved and audiences that followed them. I guess it was inevitable, and call me a snob, but it was satisfying that last night this doc identified exactly what happened to Oasis, what they became, beyond any media promotion or shallow hipster idolisation. They simply haven't got the creative nous to produce further albums of greatness beyond that exhilarating debut (think the Pistols here also, like). And its for all to see up there on screen, the original bands awareness of themselves beyond the cocaine fuelled hedonism and, of course, the wealth. Of course it carried on as we know and the rest is history, a disappointing history for me, alas. Because Definitely Maybe is a f*cking mega album, end of. And this doc is too. Its not DiG! that the f*cking hipsters all think is great (Its not guys - its a shocking doc, but has great music). Its the real deal whether you like the band or not, an expose of EXACTLY what it must be like for a bunch of scallies from Burnage, with a love for hedonism and rock 'n' roll, who got marketed and became massive beyond their control. Mega! x.

Supersonic. I was never a massive Oasis fan - couldn't really understand the hype. But this documentary film - from the makers of Senna and Amy - was a brilliant portrayal of the rise and rise of the band in their early years. Looking back their music was very good, even if Liam and Noel were total arses. A thoroughly entertaining 8 out of ten. Well worth a watch even if you don't like their music..... Might even give Eight Days a Week a try now (even though personally I find them over-rated........)