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  • Widescreen 1.78:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
    English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch
  Extras
  • 4 Additional footage - 90+ minutes
Phil Collins - A Life Less Ordinary
Warner Vision/Warner Vision . R4 . COLOR . 60 mins . E . PAL

  Feature
Contract

Back in the '80s, if there was one artist that could do no wrong, it was Phil Collins. And if there was one artist who did not fit into the '80s new romantic dominated pop world, again it was Phil Collins. He didn't have pin-up looks, wore some decidedly daggy outfits, was short and balding, totally lacked the flare and glamour of acts of the time such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Culture Club, yet he outsold them all, was around before them, and is still around long after most of them now make a living on the whole '80s revival thing. Why? Phil Collins - A Life Less Ordinary begins to make sense of this anti-pop superstar.

It seems pretty evident that Collins had a passion for the drums from a very early age, and his acting skills can also be traced back to childhood. There are plenty of stills and the odd snippet included that testify to that. He was good too. Finding music more to his liking, and allowing him more control of his career, he played in a number of local outfits before answering a wanted ad in the Melody Maker. Hello Genesis, and hello the big time.

This DVD paints Collins as pretty much a workaholic, and explains why he appeared to be everywhere in the '80s - because he was. If he wasn't writing, recording and touring with Genesis, he was flogging his solo career which is/was arguably bigger than that of Genesis, and far surpassed anyone's expectations. The mammoth hit In the Air Tonight was undoubtedly the catalyst, but he had the goods and the energy to keep it all going, getting bigger and bigger and bigger...

While all this was going on, Collins found time to work with Frida (ABBA), Howard Jones, Tina Turner and a number of high and low profile '80s acts, be it writing, playing with, or producing. No wonder the man went through several wives, even infamously dumping one by fax. P.S. You're dropped. What a cad. Still, the man does get a chance to put his side of the story, and in fact gets to put forward his side of the story on just about everything.

The guy does come off as a genuinely nice guy (even when it comes to that fax) and a super talent with a voracious work ethic. In the course of this one-hour BBC documentary (and a further 90+ minutes of extra footage), you'll hear Collins wax lyrical on all facets of fame and fortune, with input from the likes of Bob Geldof, Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Gabriel, acting pals Julie Walters and Bob Hoskins, and his various children, current wife and work colleagues. There are no videos or performances as such, but lots of snippets of music are included.

Phil Collins - A Life Less Ordinary doesn't dish the dirt on this mega-star, but maybe there isn't much. It is easy to see why some people think his music sucks, too much of a good thing and all that, but it's hard to deny the guy his success. He has paid a price, but also reaped many rewards. Testify his 2002 album, the first in six years, was widely bagged by the critics (although I personally think it's great), and it may well signal the end of a true '80s giant.

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

This recent BBC documentary is generally of a very high standard, although the footage from the early days varies wildly. The image is very sharp whether filmed indoors or out, with excellent colouring and contrast. The aspect ratio of 1.78:1 is 16:9 enhanced, and presents no problems in the way of shimmer or noise. Black levels and shadow detail is excellent, and there are no marks or grain evident. Of course, the video and live footage from the various periods of his career is a different story, and the very old footage from his childhood and earliest performances are tyically old looking, marked, grainy, soft and shaky. This is really to be expected so there seems little point in grumbling. The layer change is wisely placed between the feature and the oodles of extra footage.

Another perfectly serviceable Dolby 2.0 audio track is offered. There are no problems with the basics such as synchronisation, clarity or audibility. In fact, this is a very clear mix. Only the front speakers are used, and dialogue seems naturally balanced, with the only signs of real stereo emerging when music is featured. There is a good dynamic range, with solid trebles in the musical pieces, though there is nothing for the subwoofer to do, and similarly for the rear channels.

Those who can't hear enough from and about the man are going to be in raptures. There is enough additional and unused footage here to stretch the whole experience out to more than 150 minutes. If you haven't heard the message by the end of all this, you never will. The extra footage is divided into four sub-menus, each with a number of topics within. The first extra is Phil and is 39 more minutes of the man talking about all manner of things, a little of which is in the feature. It is broken down further into categories, and a "Play All" option is available. Genesis, Musicians and Crew is another 23 minutes of singing the man's praises from former and current workmates. Friends and Colleagues at 12:30 is more back slapping about the man, and Family allows his children, siblings and dear ol' Muvva to have a look in as well. Naturally all are glowing in their praise. None of these other sub-themed extras have a "Play All" option unfortunately.

Can there be anyone who can honestly claim not to like at least one or two Phil Collins' hits, not even when the drums kick in during In the Air Tonight ? I doubt it. With a career that spans music and films, a C.V. that lists him as a writer, drummer, singer, pianist, producer and quite probably guitarist as well, a string of hit albums and sold out concert tours, and several decades as a successful performer, it's a remarkable achievement in anyone's book.


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  •   And I quote...
    "In the days of big hair, new romantics, club chic and extended remixes, (hint - the 1980s!) one man defied the trends to be bigger than the rest - Phil Collins! "
    - Terry Kemp
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Akai
    • TV:
          TEAC CT-F803 80cm Super Flat Screen
    • Receiver:
          Pioneer VSX-D409
    • Speakers:
          Wellings
    • Centre Speaker:
          Wellings
    • Surrounds:
          Wellings
    • Subwoofer:
          Sherwood SP 210W
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard RCA
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
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