The Beach Boys

Because The Beach Boys are such a long-tenured musical institution and feature the requisite history (good and bad) to go along with that longevity, one could do a 5-part doc and probably still leave some topics on the cutting room floor. What this Disney+ doc accomplishes in just under two hours, however, is an excellent summation of the group that primarily focuses on the family aspect and the timelessness of the music they created. Plus, it is a positive-focused doc--albeit one that doesn't completely shy away from some of the more controversial material.

In terms of general chronology, "The Beach Boys" focuses on the group's creation through roughly the late-1970s--plus a sort of "where are they now" coda that is extremely moving. As mentioned, the material largely revolves around two themes:

-Family: The Beach Boys are extremely unique in that they were mainly populated by three brothers (Brian, Carl, & Dennis Wilson), a cousin (Mike Love), and a close friend (Al Jardine). Very few other music groups can boast such a tight-knit family bond--highly credited with keeping the ship afloat during the rough patches.

-Music: The group created harmonies that have proved to be timeless as new generations keep discovering them. While Brian may have been the composing genius behind the scenes and Mike the perfect "front man", this doc makes it clear that every Beach Boy (even the "fill-ins" along the way) was vital to the overall sound and success of the group.

Is this a positive and upbeat doc befitting of its Disney roots? Of course--and that's almost certainly the right approach to take with "America's Band"! But director Frank Marshall also doesn't completely shy away from the more sensitive topics: the influence of Murry Wilson, Brian's turbulent mid-70s period, and Mike's legal suit for songwriting credit among them. But such material simply is not dwelled upon.

All things considered, "The Beach Boys" seems like the perfect doc for its length, subject, and audience. Deeper-dives can easily be done via large tomes or specific docs/movies on other Beach Boys topics--but this doc is an excellent summation of why their music is so magical and where it all came from.

A recent Disney + documentary on arguably the greatest American rock 'n' roll band we ever produced. Culling interviews from the surviving members (since brothers Carl & Dennis Wilson have passed & any interviews w/Brian are archival since he's gotten a recent mental decline diagnosis) gives us the soup to nuts of the band w/the usual trajectory of them being the preeminent surf band until Brian's intense studio time (prompted by his distaste & mental unbeing for the road) took him into infinitely more experimental & interesting places even though their father wanted none of that. Tracing a good chunk of the later half of the doc on the revolutionary Pet Sounds recording pretty much shows why that record is what it is & why the world loves it so. Some time director Frank Marshall (Congo/Alive) does the material well but being there are so many docs made on the band (at one point I think he clipped a scene of Brian Wilson being interviewed in bed from one made in the 70's or 80's which I remember seeing when I was young) especially a recent one about the Pet Sounds follow-up Smile which Brian & Van Dyke Park reunited to finish & later perform on stage, this film feels fresh for the uninitiated but for those in on the know, not so much.

I am a bigger fan of The Beach Boys, but this is incredibly light in terms of what's actually happen.

Part of me gets it because they are still real people who have to live out their lives. But their stories are so old and long forget that it shouldn't be this clean.

I knew it was trouble immediately when I saw it was produced by Disney. From there you can always tell it's going to be very clean. But too clean.

They don't get into their family drama, how the father Wilson was controlling it all and causing rifts between the members and him. Like others pointed out, no talk about Brian and the state he was in when he was younger using drugs and whatnot.

Just felt like there was more than what most wanted out of this story and the fact people are happy with the little they got is disappointing. They should want more, even if they are uncomfortable with the material, that is their story.

Ignore the negative Nancy's that choose to share their lonely views ; if you're a Beach Boys fan, you are in for a treat. I treasure these interviews, this documentary in general. I was second wave BB aficionado, discovering the Beach Boys in the Endless Summer era, long after the surfing extravaganza. Their music is truly an American genuine gift to the world and besides being infectious, the melodies are part of your fabric, your life's soundtrack. I loved the entire piece and if you're even the slightest fan, you will ,too. Watch and enjoy, and remember when things were simpler and a great sonf on the radio or from an LP, made you smile.

Decent, staight forward documentary on the group. It's formation, all the surf/car 60's parts, Pet Sounds and a Bit of smile. But like other docuseries I've seen, It just glossed over the late 60's early 70's records that didn't really chart but the hardcore fans Loved! Sunflower, Wild Honey, Friends, 20/20. There was so much more history to cover and it just didn't dig deep. Some of those records got me more into the non beach, surf sound and how deep Brian was as a musician.

I was hoping for a 6 hr or more series like The Beatles - Anthology or Let it Be.

Its just good.. for average fans..