Depeche Mode: M

Title: An atmospheric and thoughtful concert film with emotional weight

Memento Mori: Live from Mexico City is not a conventional concert film, and viewers should be aware of that going in. While it captures Depeche Mode's live performances during their Mexico City shows, it also presents the material through a more cinematic and conceptual lens, blending concert footage with symbolic imagery and thematic interludes.

Musically, the film is strong throughout. Dave Gahan delivers a confident and expressive performance, and the band sounds tight and focused. Songs from the Memento Mori album are integrated smoothly alongside classic tracks such as Enjoy the Silence, Personal Jesus, and Never Let Me Down Again. The emotional tone of the newer material is especially effective, reflecting the band's current stage in life and career following the loss of longtime member Andrew Fletcher.

One of the film's strongest elements is the atmosphere. The Mexico City audience is passionate and deeply engaged, and the scale of the shows adds power to the performances without overwhelming them. The connection between the band and the crowd feels genuine and earned, reinforcing Depeche Mode's long-standing relationship with their Mexican fan base.

Visually, the film takes a darker, more artistic approach than most concert movies. The cinematography emphasizes mood over spectacle, using shadow, close-ups, and stylized editing to match the reflective themes of the album. While this enhances the emotional depth, it also affects the pacing. The non-performance sequences may feel distracting or unnecessary for viewers expecting an uninterrupted live concert experience.

The sound mix is generally solid, though not exceptional, and some viewers may find certain elements uneven. This does not significantly detract from the overall experience, but it prevents the film from feeling definitive as a live document.

Overall, Memento Mori: Live from Mexico City works best when approached as an experience rather than a straightforward concert recording. It is thoughtful, occasionally challenging, and emotionally resonant. Fans of Depeche Mode will likely appreciate its ambition and tone, while casual viewers may find it unconventional. It may not appeal to everyone, but it is sincere, well-crafted, and respectful of both the music and its themes.

Having watched DM live for many many years I didn't know exactly what to expect from this cinema release, would it relate back to 101 and a more reality movie or just a more simple live concert of the MM tour. It was the later and it was very enjoyable!

I'm a huge fan so that helps and having seen them live around 30 times only found one negative... you realise we are aging from a fresh faced Gahan when I first seen them live to a fit aging 63 year old. Where have the years gone, and yet some of the songs take me way back!

If you like their music you'll enjoy this film and it was actually filmed very well.

Thank you for making me smile and sing along but also at the same making me realise Memento Mori is something I am realising more and more in reality.

No matter the new songs this and that, DM got lost when Alan Wilder left. While this might be entertaining for most fans, its never been the same. I am still waiting and hoping for a release of video from World Violation Tour. To me Black Celebration, Music for The Masses, Violator, Songs of Faith and Devotion was Depeche Mode.

SO GOOD UGGGHHHHH the visuals, the sound i had so much fun watching it in theatres. It oozes with emotions and is such a celebration of depeche mode along with mexican imagery with death that is so so cool 2 see. If you love depeche 100% check it out! My only real complaint i wanted a little more, love the live concert of the songs but the very small blips i wanted a little more! Still love so it didnt sour my enjoyment but still my one wish!

I may be biased because I had the opportunity to see several concerts on this tour as well as this film's Tribeca premiere, but M is truly an experience that will make everyone - both newcomers to the band and the most die-hard Devotees - feel something extraordinary.

Depeche Mode is a unique band that belongs to all nationalities, ages, and creeds. It's so much more than music and often hard to put into words, but I think this film does an incredible job at showing the power and emotion transmuted through a world-class performance and interstitial musings about life and death.

This film is a gift, just like Depeche Mode.