A unique item - for completists only
Braden Pickering | Maricopa, AZ | 06/11/2010
(2 out of 5 stars)
"As a general rule of thumb, one should always steer clear of any media that proclaims to be unauthorized. Trust me, I understand the temptation, but no matter how cool or flashy the packing is, the product itself is almost guaranteed to disappoint time and time again, and this Madonna CD/DVD combo is no exception.
First of all, the 60-minute DVD is the EXACT documentary that was previously released separately under the title of "Sex Bomb." That would be fine if it were decent to begin with, but trying to tell Madonna's life story without actually having secured the rights to play any of her music, videos, or interviews makes it kind of difficult and in a word, pointless. Instead we're treated to the same four or five still photos displayed over and over again while "industry insiders" and "close personal friends" give commentary, meaning someone who stood next to her in an elevator 30 years ago or looked at her cross-eyed on the playground one day after kindergarten. I'll admit I knew most of this going into it, having been familiar with other Chrome Dreams releases, but being a hardcore fan I bit the bullet anyway because I got a good deal on it.
The only reason - and I mean ONLY - reason to buy this set is that the interview disc is actually really cool. Containing five interviews recorded at different points in her career, it's always interesting to listen to the lady herself speak on then-relevant issues and see how she has (or hasn't) changed since then. Collectors like myself may recall the Telltales Interview picture disc from the early 1990s and be happy to know the famous Kurt Loder/Blonde Ambition interview is included here as well, along with another Blonde Ambition related interview. The remaining three are 2005/2006 Confessions era interviews which mostly cover the topics of spirituality, children, marriage, and her then-current dance album. A little redundant if listened to all in a row, but nice to have.
They say one man's trash is another man's treasure, and in this case you get a little bit of both. The horrid DVD might as well be used as a coaster or a frisbee for the dog, but the CD is definitely worth getting a hold of if you can. I'll also give props for the overall packaging, because it actually does look pretty snazzy, with each disc housed in a separate jewel case within the main slip-cover "box." But, for that same reason I must warn people exactly what they're in store for. A unique item? Yes. But a quality one? Eh."
