Spikeopath It's pretty obvious from the off - in spite of a bizarre Hitchcock interview to open proceedings - that director Shane Meadows has made a love-in piece for his favourite band. Which of course is honourable and perfectly understandable, because, like, we all would do it. But here in lies the problem, that of a documentary which really doesn't bring much to the party for those not already in love with The Stone Roses.For fans there's a lot of essential stuff, such as early footage of the band members when they were so vibrantly youthful, be it ripping around on scooters or those early gigs, it has a nitty gritty vibe that gladdens the spirit - and this even allowing for some of the cringe worthy interviews where arrogance and naievity rule . Also, as expected with Meadows, there's a great snap-shot of the era of their youth, as The Sex Pistols God Save The Queen belts out we are also privy to the depressing site of Hulme in Manchester, a place where the crows go to die...Cut to later on as the band prepare for their reunion gigs, where it's great to see them so radiant and relaxed during rehearsals, it's this stuff, coupled with all the live footage we get, that lifts this to must see status for fans of the band. But we learn next to nothing about the problems within the band, both in early form and the reunion, these are given short shrift, as is the glossing over of the Spike Island gig, which if fans are honest, was beset with problems and not as mythical as some might have you believe...But ultimately, this is a band who deserve their iconic status, and Meadows knows this and ensures that their status as revered music legends is not tainted. Cantona, Liam Gallagher et al know it, and we know it, The Stone Roses rock and are important in the pantheon of British rock music. 6/10

james_lane-1 This is an interesting film if you like the Roses, and has some great live footage. However it's far too long. I'd suggest you skip the first 40 minutes, you won't miss much, especially the at times excruciating early interviews. Mani and Reni were one of rock's great rhythm sections. I saw the Stone Roses in Australia in one of their later incarnations. Unfortunately Ian sang outrageously flat - I believe his live singing was a source of discontent within the band. For the most part he sounds OK in this doco.There wouldn't be too many bands that could mount a successful reunion tour on the basis of one great record.

balearicpunk a brilliant,superb documentary about the return of the stone roses.remember this film is not about the history of the stone roses,nor is advertised as such,it is about the roses come back gigs in Manchester,and the warm ups to that.it includes the fans and the band,talking about now.as a massive roses fan,along with millions more,we already know the history by heart.Shane meadows has made a superb film about a band he loves.lazy reviews rattle on about the history,this DVD is about the now.if you have ever wanted that ticket so badly,you will do anything,you will get this film.if you love the roses,you will get this film;m.if you,re after pointless tickle tackle about fall outs and passed bull.its not for you. it is for people who's glass is full,not half empty.10 out of 10.meadows has made a good UN.

Framescourer Shane Meadows has been very disciplined. A lifelong fan charged with covering the Stone Roses reunion tour, he could have made a film twice as long which would still have left the fans impatient for more.Instead Meadows restricts himself to watching the band rehearse, play a warm-up gig in Warrington (the sweat-stained heart of the film) and then on tour across the world. The film finishes with the promised Heaton Park date, where slo-mo does real justice to the romance of the band's legacy. More than that, Meadows also allows the full extended closing jam, for which the band's EPs were held in such high regard from fan to critic alike.It's just as well. The band were legendary because they were good, not just because they spawned a fashion movement, or behaved in the time- honoured manner of charismatic outfits before them. The film captures many other things besides, one of which is the age of the fans and shows just how long ago the late 1980s are now. For all the excitement & joy of a second coming, it's impossible to hide the calcifying effect of time; the film itself is already an anachronism, with Liam Gallagher waxing lyrical about Manchester City winning the Premier League (Manchester United had won it back before the film's release).I was saddened and moved, ultimately for the best, in equal measure. But I'd have liked Meadows to have been able to capture more real drama; the footage of Ian Brown telling a Dutch audience that they're not getting an encore, sparks with the belligerence which took the band to the very top. It's just a pity the flames didn't flare as they once must have done. 6/10