New U2 DVD characterized by hero worship of Bono

By Sydney Smith

Special to The Post and Courier

Thursday, May 14, 2009


I'm crazy about Bono and U2. I'm not talking about a little baby fan either: I had a poster of Bono in my college dorm room, I have an extra dessert for Bono's birthday every year (he turned 49 Sunday) and I won't stop talking about them once I start.

That said, I jumped for joy when I heard a new U2 DVD was being released this week. With the title "U2: A Rock Crusade," I envisioned something cutting recent performances with older shows, or perhaps something on the past few years while the band worked on its 2009 CD, "No Line on the Horizon." Whatever it would be, I was excited for anything U2 related to digest.

But it wasn't what I expected. It's a documentary, and a short one at that, coming in about 48 minutes long. A rock crusade, it is not. It would be more appropriately titled "Bono: A Philanthropic Crusade," or maybe something a little catchier.

After the opening few minutes, the other band members disappear from the screen, and Bono, lead singer, is the only U2 member mentioned.

The documentary, produced by Los Angeles-based Infinity Entertainment Group and unauthorized by the band, could pass for a BBC production stylistically. It is not about the band, but rather its frontman, and it's not about the music, but how the frontman uses his celebrity status to bring awareness to humanitarian causes he sees as important.

Old clips, interviews and narration mixed together illustrate many of the global causes Bono has involved himself in from relieving African debt to providing AIDS medications to poor countries. Regardless of personal opinions of Bono, it's hard to deny that he doesn't at least try to do good after seeing this. The documentary will hit you over the head in its praise for Bono. But most impressively, it provides a more subtle look at how Bono works with global leaders, uses his charisma and personal celebrity, and turns his ideas and goals into action. Bono has had enormous success getting support for his causes from leaders in the United States and the European Union.

The story is interesting, but the DVD is flawed. At times, it seemed not flashy enough, especially for Bono. U2 and Bono have used modern technology and advancing media to keep the band, their causes and their personal endeavors relevant over the years — just think about U2's graphically stimulating "Get on your Boots" video and marketing for the RED campaign as a few examples. Why would a DVD focusing on this savvy rock star come across like Musak at times?

For me though, the biggest hang-up wasn't the use of mostly older interviews, but the title and presentation. Going into this, I expected U2. Rock. Music. A little biography. I got Bono. Bono is good. Bono does good. Bono does well at doing good.

But, hey, did you know Bono has been nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Grammy and the Nobel Peace Prize? Maybe you should check out a tribute of sorts to the only person to pull that off.

He sounds interesting.

source: postandcourier