Shot in London during the 2000 world tour, Brutally Live showcases Alice Cooper doing what he's been doing better than anyone else over the past 25 years: turning a rock concert into a campy theatrical extravaganza. That... more » he's old enough to be almost anyone in the audience's (grand?)father is quite beside the point. For Alice remains one of the few who knows that rock & roll should be fun, even if that means severed heads, gushing blood, and murdered babies. Even the fabled guillotine, from his heyday a quarter-century ago, makes an appearance. Alice also takes a shot at Marilyn Manson, Ozzy Osbourne, and Kiss by calling them "my undisciplined children." Alice and his band rip through 105 minutes of some of his best-known songs, including "I'm 18," "No More Mr. Nice Guy," "Only Women Bleed," and the immortal anthem "School's Out," along with newer tunes like "Brutal Planet" and "Gimme" (also seen as a bonus video). The concert will surely satisfy Cooper fans, if not win him new ones; the DVD itself is a winner, with bludgeoning DTS and Dolby 5.0 Surround Sound and the choice of alternate camera angles on six of the 25 songs. --Kevin Filipski« less
Actor:Alice Cooper Genres:Music Video & Concerts Sub-Genres:Pop, Rock & Roll, Cooper, Alice, DTS Studio:Eagle Rock Ent Format:DVD - Color,Widescreen - Live DVD Release Date: 11/18/2003 Original Release Date: 01/01/2000 Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/2000 Release Year: 2003 Run Time: 1hr 45min Screens: Color,Widescreen Number of Discs: 2 SwapaDVD Credits: 2 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 5 Edition: Collector's Edition MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:English See Also:
"I saw the PPV broadcast of this DVD and the sound kicks some serious tail. Of course, the visuals are great and highlights include Alice's daughter Calico, Ryan "Glamnation" Roxie, Pete Frezein, and Gregg Smith. Alice throws in a couple of oldies which haven't seen the light of day since 1974 such as Caught In a Dream and Nervous (my favorite of the show)."
Oh yeah....this is how concert video should be done!!!
reno64 | Whatever, TN | 12/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Coop takes the tightest band he has had in YEARS and lays out 24 smokin' tracks from past to present.Great production values with an alternate angle for some songs and a bonus video for "Gimme".Recorded July 2000 in London (105 min) The set list...Brutal Planet, Gimme, Go to Hell, Blow Me a Kiss, I'm Eighteen, Pick Up the Bones, Feed My Frankenstein, Wicked Young Man, Dead Babies, Ballad of Dwight Fry, I Love the Dead, The Black Widow, No More Mr. Nice Guy, It's Hot Tonight, Caught Up In a Dream, It's the Little Things, Poison, Take It Like a Woman, Only Women Bleed, You Drive Me Nervous, Under My Wheels, School's Out, Billion Dollar Babies, My Generation, ElectedSo what ya waitin' for?If you care anything about Alice Cooper, you need this DVD.Thanks Coop, you continue to rule!!!"
Class Act
WillieB | 07/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alice Cooper, a truly original innovator, was one of the first rock acts to put on a theatrical show complete with props and makeup. While this show may not be as elaborate as those from the 70's, the band or Alice don't seem to be wasted, so the performances are much better.
There are quite a variety of new and old songs on this disc and the band is in rare form! The musicians are incredibly talented, have great stage presence, and are having a blast nailing every song... as good or better than the studio recordings. Besides the music we are treated to a visual feast of colorful characters, grotesque half monster/baby creature, swords, whips, straight jacket, and of course the guillotine execution. Alice's voice cracks a little in places but he is still a great showman who always interacts with the audience. For instance, when he points out those wearing Manson, Ozzy and Kiss t-shirts in the audience and refers to them as "all of my disobedient children". Or when a lucky young boys face beams when Alice gives him his cane.
The audio options are DD 5.0, DTS 5.0 and stereo. All mixes are excellent and the absence of the subwoofer is not an issue. Not much for bonus material - a video of "Gimme" and some songs give you the option of multiple angles. When I purchased this it did not come with the DVD/CD package. It would be worth the extra cash to get that version.
"
Brutal Surprise
Steven Jobe | Indiana | 10/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the first time I'd ever seen a Alice Cooper concert. Had no idea that it was a full blown stage show, not just a music concert. I have thoroughly enjoyed this DVD at least five times and will watch it again when time prevails.I would like to point out that the production of this video is excellent. The video portion gives you two angles, but that is not what sells me on this DVD, it's the quality, just great! The audio portion is well done also. It gives you the feeling of being in the front row. Put this DVD to a big screen tv and a good sound system, and you are there!I just attended an Alice Cooper concert in Cincinnati last night. It was pretty much the same as what is on the Brutally Live DVD with a few exceptions. A few of his newer songs off of the Dragontown disc had been added in place of some others.I must say that I think that the Brutally Live DVD is better than the live show I saw. Don't get me wrong, the man and his band put on a hell of a performance, but the sound in the theater was not as good as what I get from the DVD.In summary, if you get a chance to see Alice live, do it by all means. Then buy this DVD to enjoy when you can't see him live. In either case it's entertainment money well spent."
****3/4. Some of the greatest live Alice ever released
Docendo Discimus | Vita scholae | 06/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There have been several Alice Cooper concerts released on video through the years, and this is quite possibly the best of the lot.
"Brutally Live" was recorded live on July 19th, 2000, at LaBatt's Apollo in Hammersmith, England. It finds Alice Cooper in fine shape, backed by one of his best ever touring bands, and if his voice shows small signs of wear, the band and the legendary "performance art" are there to pick it up.
The ultra-tight combo is anchored by former Kiss drummer Eric Singer, and more than a few of these songs sound better and tougher than ever in these powerful but totally focused live renditions.
Guitarists Pete Friesen and Ryan Roxie may look like 80s hair metal leftovers, but their playing is totally devoid of gimmicks and aimless showing off. And if newer songs like "Gimme" and "Pick Up The Bones" sound better than ever, early songs like "No More Mr Nice Guy", "I'm Eighteen" and "Caught In A Dream" come off sounding as fresh as they did in the 70s.
The 25-track DVD version is top notch with excellent colour schemes and terrific camera work, and the twenty-track CD features equally excellent fidelity. "Brutally Live" proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that Alice Cooper is much, much more than an oldies act.