Hans Zimmer & friends: Le diamant du désert

I haven't written a review in years.

Just watched here in Canberra, Australia.

Sorry, but I started typing to Hans immediately during opening saying the sound was terrible.

I ran out and told attendant.

Who surprisingly jacked it up slightly.

I almost walked out to go home.

But stayed thinking it may not come to video.

But it's obvious there were overdubs.

No bass whatsoever.

Like 3.0 and then 4.0 and then at best 5.0.

The pre-recorded Lisa section was the ONLY redeeming sound mix.

Tear inducing.

I could hear the aircon above the dialogue early on.

The lighting earlier was a bit subpar.

The best live mix was The Lion King.

One could hear every channel track.

Yes, it's worth a watch, but ironic when it's supposed to be about the sound.

Guess one hopes F1 will make up for it, and it better be as good as Days of Thunder.

Jerry Bruckheimer was the most interesting, and Zendeya explained why I keep hearing my wife scrolling through Cornfield Chase clips.

Looking at the credits...I shake my head.

Or is that my ears?

Love the updated arrangements, and newer musicians.

Nile was styling.

Lebo was consummate.

Still prefer Power of One anyday.

There were 4 of us in the cinema.

Yumbo.

Hans Zimmer, one of the greatest movie score composers ever, takes his fantastic music on the road and performs some of his most extraordinary pieces on stage. Touring worldwide, he created this documentary to share the concert and give the audience insight into who he is and how he operates.

This is a fantastic concert documentary. The scores Hans Zimmer performed on his tour are the ones many movie fans will easily recognize. This movie splices his live performance with some parts filmed separately, impressive shots of the musicians overlaid with striking visuals, and interviews with people he has worked with. This two-hour and thirty-eight-minute documentary is a must-watch for fans of Han Zimmer or any of the scores he created.

I have to admit this wasn't exactly as I thought it would be. I once saw John Williams in concert at the Chicago Symphony and it was AMAZING. He played so many of his iconic pieces of music and in the background scenes from those movies were projected. I thought this recorded concert event would be something like that. While Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert didn't project scenes from the movies in the background, you were still transported to how you felt when you watched the movies as each piece of music played. I'm not sure if he played one piece of music from each movie or if it was a compilation of pieces from each movie, but all of it was wonderful. The musicians were very good. Many of them had a bit of a staring role with each song. They really played into the drama with their outfits/costumes, make-up and movements/facial expressions. It's like some of the musicians were playing characters. The interviews were interesting. They focused on the music and the process by which it was created and/or the inspiration behind it. The interview with Zendaya was particularly moving and added another layer of context to the Lion King movie. Since this was a concert I thought the show would be contained there. However, they expanded the story to other locations for the film, and they tied it back to the concert in an interesting way. The opening scene was mesmerizing. I bet it would be a fun concert to see in person as the room would feel electric with the beating of the drums, the lightshow, and the passion with which the musicians played.

Now for a little bitter to go along with the sweet. The camera work was annoying. If you didn't mind watching the Blair Witch Project, you'll probably be ok with this. At times the camera work was almost nauseating. Camera going in circles around people until the viewer felt like they were spinning too. Fast edits from one thing to another, jumping in and out, left, right and all over. I had to really concentrate on the music because for me it was distracting. Maybe other people weren't bothered by it.

Having said that though, I'm still glad I saw this concert film and I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates the role music plays in a movie and celebrating a truly talented composer. At the end I felt like going home and rewatching the movies.

This documentary- which, I may add, is more of a concert film- showcases the most well-known works of the great Hans Zimmer. If you loved his scores in movies there is no way you won't love this production.

The concert visuals and cinematography are stunning, making it very entertaining to watch. Between performances, there are brief conversations with famous actors, directors, and musicians, where Zimmer shares his insights on various topics with his "friends."

The concert itself is impeccable, truly a masterpiece. The scores are powerful, and personally, I felt chills more than once.

On the downside, though subtle but noticeable, I found that at times what you see doesn't always match what you hear. Occasionally, the instrument highlighted on screen isn't the one most prominent in the audio.

This "movie" is perfect for any Hans Zimmer fan! I love a lot of his work and this did not leave me disappointed. The entire concert was fantastic! It truly was a breathtaking experience. The music was, as always, beautiful and exquisite. The interviews were great and very interesting. To listen to such masterpieces in a theatre was such a unique experience. If you are unsure about if you want to go... just do it. Go! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can bet that you will enjoy it. Some of my favorite pieces didn't make the cut, but that didn't take away from how incredible the film was. Every moment is thoughtfully presented, and each performance is delivered at the highest level. If you are a fan of Hans Zimmer's work, do not miss this chance to experience greatness. Go see this film now-your future self will thank you.