benlikens The title of the following Summary is probably one that has been asked regarding many a rock film, such as The Song Remains the Same, The Last Waltz, or even A Hard Day's Night or Help! (although with the fictional pretexts and the plots alone, those last two might not qualify as standard "rock films") could easily be in the running for such a title.However, the reason I would put it at No.1 is the way it flows. In a sense, it flows like a great rock concert. Now, this film consists of scenes from several rock concerts, along with scattered interviews and specially filmed sequences scattered throughout. Jeff Stein, the director, along with "Eddie the Editor" Rothkowitz, brought the various scenes and concert excerpts together in such a way that it's not as much a documentary, but a series of short subjects that somehow come together as one huge visual experience. Musically, The Kids Are Alright is filled with many effective "one-two punches," and very little filler to distract an audience's attention. This movie came right on the heels of MTV and the concept of "music video" had barely been invented, but Stein and Co. had a handle on it long before the folks at MTV hired their first VJ.From the start, the first one-two punch of "My Generation" from The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, coupled with "I Can't Explain," from the last Shindig installment, grabs any viewer, even one who may not be a fan of the band, alerting him/her to be prepared to enjoy a wild visual and musical ride. Other one-two punches in this extraordinary film include a reprise of "My Generation" (from the Monterey Pop Festival)/"Won't Get Fooled Again" (from Shepperton Studios), "Pinball Wizard"/"See Me, Feel Me (Listening to You)" (both from Woodstock), and "Barbara Ann" (from Shepperton rehearsals)/"Sparks" (from Woodstock). There are many others, often inter cut with brief "sound bites" from interviews and various television appearances. It all adds up to something transcending a strict documentary or concert film.The improvements the DVD has over the previous video releases are nothing short of astounding. The sound has been brought more than up-to-speed, with every moment of the film possessing a clarity that just did not exist at all in any edition before this, even the laser disc edition. Elements that had been missing from the film since its initial video release have been restored (including the full, majestic "A Quick One, While He's Away" from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus) to near pristine quality. All the visual flaws have been corrected and the various speed and film stock disparities have been removed and/or improved upon.I know it's my humble opinion, and everybody has different ones (which is as it should be), but even now, after seeing The Kids Are Alright many, many times, the film still grabs my attention and doesn't let it go until the final credit rolls off of the screen. Yes, this is the greatest rock film ever made, humble opinion or not. Check it out and see if it doesn't do to you at least a little bit of what it does to me. You'll be surprised.

michellemurmurs6244 It's hard to think of another rock documentary that so perfectly manages to convey the reason why someone would spend years lovingly planning, writing, searching archives and putting together such a project. Fans have watched this thousands of times and love to show it to others so they too can appreciate the phenomenon that is The Who. First there are the unforgettable live performances. Included are classics from Monterey Pop and Woodstock. From the opening clip showing their legendary American TV debut on the Smothers Brothers to a hilarious group interview on the Russell Harty show it captures the band's endearingly outrageous sense of humor. From an early clip of them performing I Can't Explain to a mind blowing performance of Won't Get Fooled Again it provides one with the irrefutable proof that The Who are simply the most unforgettable live band the rock world has ever known. Get this today (the two-disc DVD is well worth the price for all the extras) and then get ready to make believers out your friends. Long live rock indeed.

iluv2moo As a HUGE fan of the Who I really loved The Kids Are Alright. I can watch it over and over again without getting bored.It covers a wide range of the who's career; so if u want to see earlier stuff - you can, or if u feel like some later footage you can view that also. Even if you are not a huge fan of The Who; its a good starting point. With a mix of interview footage and gigs; it gives a good insight into the band. Although it doesn't seem to focus on John Entwistle enough; it still portrays the band in a good way. The Woodstock footage is especially good along with footage from the smother's brother's show which shows the personalities of each band member.Now there are only two of the band members left with us; i think this is a great way to remember John Entwistle and Keith Moon in a way i expect they would want to be remembered! Best bit? Barbara Ann!

McGonigle While "The Last Waltz" is usually the critics' favorite rock movie, "The Kids Are Alright" has always done it for me. Basically, we have a career overview of one of the greatest rock bands ever, with numerous characteristics that make it truly exceptional.Here's what makes this movie really unique: First, it was made by a fan, which gives it a fan's perspective (often more perceptive than a band's own self-image or, needless to say, the perception of a record company employee). But more importantly, the Who, always one of the most "down-to-earth" (and self-critical) rock bands, were willing to co-operate with the filmmaker (Jeff Stein), even going so far as to perform two exclusive concerts for the purpose of filming.The movie thus comes together as a fan's dream: a comprehensive selection of live clips that span the band's career up to that point (including brilliant early footage and such career-defining performances as Woodstock and the band's appearance on the Smothers Brothers' TV show), along with truly insightful interview footage. One comes away from this movie with a genuine appreciation for the combination of creativity and humility that really made the Who unique among "superstar" rock bands. Can you imagine Led Zeppelin referring to their own work as crap in the middle of "The Song Remains The Same"? The Beatles created their own career-spanning retrospective 15 years later with "The Beatles Anthology", but that film, made 25 years after the band broke up, seems much more concerned with defining and cementing the band's place in history (especially the McCartney interview segments) than with presenting the band "warts and all".Even in "The Last Waltz", while much of The Band is somewhat disparaging about their early careers, there is still a real sense that Scorcese and Robertson are attempting to define a historically significant moment in time rather than just capturing The Band as it was (I've read that the rest of the Band members didn't even know Robertson was planning to break up the Band until after the concert!).By contrast, "The Kids Are Alright" provides us with a refreshingly honest portrait of a band who have always tried to be honest with their fans. By combining the perceptive eye of a true fan with a cooperative band who weren't concerned with protecting (or defining) their "image", we are left with a true rarity: a documentary on a "superstar" that is neither concerned with deifying nor tearing down its subject, but instead gives us a truly satisfying (and entertaining) portrait. Plus, some of the best "70s Arena Rock" ever recorded! All in all, it adds up to a minor masterpiece.