User reviews

This is a fitting retrospective of one of music's heroes. Quincy Jones is a giant of creativity - and as a music writer myself I gained so much from the little wise asides and musings that constantly crop up from past recorded interviews and in his narration .. It's an astounding story of a life well lived, and worth watching for recognition of his incredible contribution to art, culture, politics and charity. The fact he's a fallible human with a warm heart makes it even more enjoyable a ride.

The film was made with his daughter Rashida at the helm - which adds to the beauty of the tale in my eyes: family is hugely important to Quincy.

Any critic wishing there had been more dishing of the dirt is missing the point (I'm looking at you Charles Bramesco).

Great film - make sure you can hear it well, as the soundtrack is golden.

This is an excellent movie about a remarkable man, his music, and the the other artists that he affected and was affected by. However, Karen Carpenter should have been mentioned. She had arguably the most beautiful voice of her generation. Moreover, her life was wonderful and heartbreakingly tragic at the same time. I know that they interacted and because of that there should have been at least one shot of her in this movie. She lost out because she has been somewhat forgotten.

Nevertheless, it is a movie worth watching and his longevity has provided the filmmakers with so much material. It is almost a masterpiece.

If you love music or just have interest in pop music, watch it - Quincy Jones is a reference who has been behind lots of very popular entertainment music and inspired multiple generations. This documentary, shown through the eyes of the main protagonist's daughter, will get you to discover a great character, with a driven and altruistic personality, possibly missing some of his human flaws!

This is the best biography documentary i have ever seen. Quincy J is a great man, who seen all the phases of life and succeeded with tremendous courage and his nobel art. being an India and living in India, it inspired me a lot. before this doc, i didn't known him, but after this doc, this man made me cry and inspired me a lot. now i know him and have a great respect for him.

Quincy Jones is a true legend who accomplished tonnes in his life, and that's why he deserved a better documentary than this. Way too much filler for such a rich life. Maybe it should have been given to a non-family member, because Rashida Jones hasn't learned the lesson that not everything her father does is "newsworthy." The historical clips are awesome, and the juxtaposition between them work great, but the endless scenes of him in the hospital or at dinner or walking around or chatting with Kendrick Lamar could easily have been cut. I get she wanted to show how busy he is and how loved he is, but just because you filmed something,doesn't mean it's necessary to show in a 2 hour documentary.

Quincy Jones is a god among men, and has done so much for not only the Black experience, music experience, film experience, and American experience, but the world experience! This documentary informed me very well of who this man is, and all of his amazing achievements! He is so interwoven into the fabric of almost everything in the entertainment industry that it is crazy! He got so many people started including but not limited to: Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith! Mr Jones has done so much for Black people and just people everywhere by simply doing what he does best! He is a workhorse who doesn't stop until his tasks are done, and he has taken on so many tasks that most of us would deem impossible. The man is over 80 years of age and still travelling the world and setting up earth shattering events! This man has truly done it all! Please do yourself a favor and watch this highly attention encapsulating and awesome documentary that not only informs you of the history behind the man, but also takes you on an interesting journey through American history; especially that of the African American and entertainment industry.

Quincy (2018)

*** (out of 4)

It's rather sad to think that there's a generation (or more) of people out there who probably don't know the name Quincy Jones but thankfully this documentary from Alan Hicks and Rashida Jones is here for a great educational job. This documentary features interviews with Quincy and several others as we take a look at his life and career.

QUINCY seems to be getting some mixed reviews but I think some of the negative ones are a tad bit unfair but I'll get to more on that in a minute. As far as the film goes, this here is certainly worth watching and especially if you're not overly familiar with who Jones is and why he has been so important to not only the music business but also several other things.

I thought the documentary did a terrific job at showing off Jones' career throughout the years including giving us a great idea of what his childhood was like and what it took for him to get where he did. We get some terrific stories of his early career including some dangerous places he played. We also get some great stories about the people he worked with including Frank Sinatra and of course Michael Jackson.

The one problem I had with the film is the fact that it was co-directed by Jones' daughter and I'm going to guess that this is the reason why a lot of things are overlooked or not discussed. In fact, there's really nothing here that shines any sort of light on some of the more controversial aspects of Jones' life. We hear about failed marriages but we never hear what happened. There were some productions that Jones was behind that weren't a success but we never hear about them here.

It's clear that QUINCY wants to educate newer people to who this great man is and on that level it is a major success and an entertaining one. At the same, with the family involvement you can't help but think this isn't the definitive look at Jones.

Nice doc on Netlfix about Quincy Jones, perhaps the greatest music producer in American history. While the movie took its time, since it was pretty much a life retrospective on the man, I enjoyed getting to learn a few things about his past and how he's navigating his advanced age... which includes friends and acquaintances passing away on a regular basis at this point.

It's hard not to be in awe of what Jones has accomplished, especially when it's all presented in one sitting. The dude has not only conquered the music industry over several decades, he's worked with world leaders on a variety of causes, and has the ear of some of the most popular and influential persons on the planet.

Yet he still can't quite successfully navigate a marriage. Hey, he brought it up, so don't blame me. While he adores his many children and grandchildren, he seems to believe he was a failure multiple times as a husband. Jones is the living embodiment of "you can't have everything," I guess.

At least he produced the biggest selling album of all time ("Thriller"), produced the hit show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," published "Vibe" magazine, and most importantly, put out the song that would later be used as the Austin Powers theme.

This was one of the best music documentaries I have watched. I knew Quincy's talent was diverse but wasn't aware of how wide Quincy's scope to make excellent music across so many genres was. He could fuse musical styles but more importantly just transcend styles to produce music whose only category is "damn good music". Very inspiring to watch.

Cute documentary. I didn't know he accomplished so much

What a man, what a career, a fantastic journey through the decades and music genres. A true legend in his field

Quincy Jones is a musical giant deservedly. He deserves a better documentary than this poorly structured film. Compare this documentary to "The Black Godfather" the Clarence Avant story, which is a great documentary about a man I knew nothing about to see the difference.

There are only two kind of music... and 'Quincy' is about the good one.. Great documentary about amazing human.

My GOD this MAN has had Music, in so many MOVIES, T.V SHOWS, I REMEMBER HEARING HIS SONGS GROWING UP. HE IS ONE OF THE BEST. GREAT THING IS IN HIS 80s AND STILL PLAYING HIS SONGS. THIS MAN CAN PLAY ANYTHING.

One of the greatest musicians of the 20th century and a great man!

I'm really enjoying this documentary but have to say the spoken interludes seem stilted. Despite that, the footage and the music is absolutely wonderful and overall it's quite informative and fun.

There are some people put on this Earth that do exstrordary things. Quincy Jones is one of those people. I knew about the man and some of the amazing music and shows he either created or had a part in creating. This showed me that I knew very little. I love music and if you love music you know that it's more than just the singer, band, group or orchestra performing the music. After watching this I have better knowledge of that and more importantly know more above this legend that created so much of what we know. I highly recommend watching Quincy. I mean seriously, how many people can call Colin Powell, Oprah and many more and get that all in one place just because he asked??? Q can!

Unfortunately what could be a well deserved homage to a great musician. Was turned into a collage of shots without structure, meaning or plot. I recommend watching until some competent director remakes it.

I never review things but I had to for this one because its current low rating is an outrage. Quincy's life story is really incredible and every decade really represents a huge shift in music, culture, and the treatment of African Americans. I'm personally always a huge fan of a come up story, but watching a young man work his way up to becoming a legend is nothing short of inspirational. The musical scene throughout his life is rather vibrant and it's always a treat to revisit some of the earlier days and artists through Quincy's point of view. All the way up until producing Thriller and then becoming a treasured older gentleman. Not to mention you get to hear it first hand from Quincy himself and listen to some of the music he's had a hand in producing. Really fun watch that's simultaneously full of history. Great stuff.

I've yet to watch this, but I know it should be amazing. My brother told me that Quincy Jones and Henry Mancini were the only two people he knew that could put out a melody at the drop of a hat. Mr. Jones' legacy will be some of the best tunes we can hum along with and sing to, and more. He has been a major contributor to the soundtrack of my life. I very much hope to see that his daughter, Rashida, is able to carry the venerable family name, Jones, forward. From a historical perspective in the area of theatrical arts, we couldn't be more proud of what Quincy Jones has given us. Would be nice to see Rashida get the opportunity to stretch her talents and show us more of those untapped gifts.

An extremely insightful and caring and dedicated movie about the living legend which is Quincy Jones. Quincy is probably the most important person in the music industry in the world. Period. I don't mean that lightly.

He bridged racial divide in pop when he worked with Frank Sinatra and worked with the leading jazz greats and produced not only the biggest-selling single of all-time but the biggest-selling album of all-time!

Quincy's astounding ear and vision and understanding of humanity and what people should behave as is utterly inspirational. A true gentleman. We need more of Quincy and we need Quincy to educate the youth and the adults as there is still so many problems of hate today. He should be in the curriculum.

He saw every aspect of black poverty and extreme living and found the light when he discovered a piano. He put his all into learning music and eventually met a 16 year old teen prodigy called Ray Charles (when Q was 14) and the rest became history.

The albums which he worked with are ground-breaking and revolutionary. He produced an astounding amount of music. He had the vision to carry pop into the future and fused so many different styles under pop.

He's a millenial talant and we're so lucky to have him. He's one of those people who you just can't quite understand how he achieved what he has done. He's just an utter inspiration. A hero!

Thank you, Quincy!

Goosebumps throughout watching this documentary... I even got teary eyed a few times. What a wonderful, warmhearted, insightful, inspirational portrait.

Quincy Jones grew up in the ghetto of Chicago. He didnt see any white face before the age of 11 years. He had a tough childhood, and as a kid he wanted to become a gangster, but when he found a piano to play on, he was hooked on music for life.

This is one heck of an hommage. I mean, they dont come much better than this.

So many things to say about his life, but better just watch it for yourself, because I wouldnt stop praising for what he all has achieved.

Admired, cherised, praised by so many other great legends in the world of music. What a man. What a heart. What great kind of love for music.

I've enjoyed this man's music since I was 10 (1975) and learned that the theme from "Sanford and Son" was composed by him. I like seeing his personality that's involved with his showmanship, his ear for new talent, his introspective moments on darker subject matter and more. Love the film. His box set is a great sampler of his archives.

One of the greatest names in music passed away (November 3, 2024). Quincy Jones passed away at his home in Bel-Air, California, at the age of 91. He was widely and deservedly celebrated even during his lifetime! I highly recommend the documentary "Quincy," Netflix, 2018! It's two hours of emotion, grit, and genius, with a behind-the-scenes look at an extraordinary life. I also leave here my humble tribute.

Quincy was born in a Chicago slum in 1933. At a school in Seattle, he developed his trumpet skills. At 14, he met another genius: Ray Charles, with whom he remained friends. By his 20s, Quincy demonstrated such musical talent that his gigs as an arranger and conductor turned into gigs for various jazz bands, even earning him international tours. At a young age, he was already breaking down elitist and racial barriers, something he continued to do for the rest of his career!

In 1958, he performed his first work with Frank Sinatra: a Grimaldi benefit concert in Monaco. Sinatra never stopped supporting the young man, who arranged many of his albums and shows, from iconic LPs with Count Basie, whose first album was 1964's "It Might as Well be Swing," to the 1984 album "LA is My Lady." Sinatra always gave due credit, and they were such good friends that he passed his ring on to him. Quincy never took it off his finger again.

A workaholic and perfectionist, he never stopped. Quincy Jones did it all: from film score composer (in 1964, at the request of director Sidney Lumet, he composed the score for "The Pawnbroker") to TV sitcom producer. Quincy produced "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," a 1990s comedy series that launched Will Smith. As a music producer, his greatest achievement was producing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in 1982, the best-selling album in music history! And his legacy includes organizing the last-minute "We Are the World" in 1985 to combat famine in Ethiopia (watch "The Night That Changed Pop" on Netflix).

Winner of 28 Grammys, acclaimed by both audiences and critics, and having worked with absolutely extraordinary talents from all musical styles, Quincy Jones leaves a tremendous legacy not only for the United States, but for the world. His creativity, ability, and talent were well-utilized throughout his 70-year career. Now he deserves to rest in peace, but always shining a light on what's to come in the musical universe!