4/5
Lord Of The Ringo's.
468 Mins. 3 Episodes: Starring: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston & Yoko Ono. Director: Peter Jackson.
An anvil ominously sits in the middle of the studio, next to Billy Preston's piano. It's literally there to help record the clangs and bangs of 'Maxwell's Silver Hammer'. It could however figuratively represent the heaviest weight of expectations John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr had to carry on this long and winding road. Holed up in a Savile Row studio, tailor made for the Apple core of the fab four like a Kingsman (how about that new movie, your majesty?), The Beatles are on the brink of break-up. They haven't played together in two years. And they're recording 14 new tracks for a new album that they're set to perform on the not so structurally sound rooftop of this very building on just another Great British lunchtime with bobbies working the beat and bringing their truncheons and whistles to this racket. Can't they just 'Let It Be'? Because in the recording of this album, this documentary curated by 'The Hobbit' and 'Lord Of The Rings' legendary New Zealand director moves along please with ease. As the man who took us to war in color for his groundbreaking documentary 'They Shall Not Grow Old' takes us back with John, Paul, George and Ringo for 'Get Back'. Something that in a whopping 468 minutes over three parts and millions of new Disney + subscribers ('Hawkeye's' bow can take some credit for that this Christmas too for the most overlooked Avenger and his new Bishop in a marvellous chess move of kingpins) is an eight hour film we could watch eight days a week, doc. Just like the happy days of another legendary director Ron Howard's documentary on wax out the jukebox. As for the story so far, a montage is all you need like love in introduction. All for four bowl cuts from a train ride outside my hometown who took over America via Ed Sullivan and claimed they were bigger than Jesus. Christ!
'It Was Fifty Years Ago Today'. Or something like that as Jackson's action joins the big-three documentaries about the former St. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band. Above it only the sky of the John and Yoko one ("from Liverpool to Tokyo. What a way to go" in this 'Double Fantasy'). Just like The Beatles own films of 'Yellow Submarine' 'Help!' over 'A Hard Days Night'. Dig this pony. It's a purists pleasure. Even though may think it's too long a ride and want to get off. The public below love it like the bands legendary Savile Row set in concert. The last time the four former Quarrymen performed in public together ever...ever, ever. Should have cherished it, coppers. I remember 'Yesterday'...well, yesterday I spent New Years Day cleaning my apartment to welcome in the New Year like the Japanese do (I see you, Yoko) and watching all parts of this documentary in its eight hour wonder entirety for those who want to give me s### for how late this review is to the party (you should see my 'Squid Game' one...it's not even done). But determined to finish like Ringo all those thank you fan letters in 'The Simpsons' or this very album before his own movie ('The Magic Christian'), sharing a soundstage in Twickenham here it is at long last. 'Yesterday' (it's been long enough, we can give the game away. It's not like we're spoiling Spider-Man. Seven days until we get it in Japan people. Seven days) starring the great Himesh Patel (who you can see right now if you 'Don't Look Up' in the new Netflix Adam McKay, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep for President amongst others movie) gave us something beautiful. A moving performance by the legendary Robert Carlyle of 'The Full Monty' fame. Leaving more than his hat on in a powerfully poignant part that showed us if The Beatles didn't exist in yet another clever, classic concept from iconic British director Danny Boyle, than John Lennon would still be with us. Not murdered so maddeningly outside the Dakota building in New York City. We'll that was it. I was gone. I couldn't contain my tears. And here, it's like him and George are still here like Prince throwing up his guitar to the heavens in tribute after he made his guitar more than gently weep and it not coming down...because you know who caught it. Like a fly on the wall here, you feel a part of these studio sessions like a subtle cigarette resting on an ashtray. The smell of smoke and sweat hanging in the air like the legendary makings of another timeless masterpiece of an album on film. Forget an anvil.
Pissing around in the studio for even more hours a day than binging this documentary takes, some may find taking this in is f#####g frustrating, especially those who would kill for the studio time. But who are we to judge their creative process? Especially as cutting loose, now it is a joy to behold for all that was lost afterwords. From the band themselves to the individual members. Dear John, by George. It's them at their vulnerable, personal best. From breaking up at this things so hard to do, to coming together like their classic track "over me" (steady). All long hair, don't care and cider beard this is Paul at his most beautiful intimate. Surrounded by family. Trying to keep his music one in harmony. You'll have a new respect for him and his raw vocal range like 'McCartney III' last year this wonderful Christmas time. Or Lennon as a pure peacemaker and Yoko, standing (or sitting) quietly by her man, before rocking out with John and Paul. Take note. We've known for years that this Yoko Ono hate is unwarranted, unjustified, outdated and let's be honest, more than a little racist. This documentary proves it was a product of the press and people's minds who were behind the times. Just know that all Yoko did for Lennon and McCartney and the rest of the band was expand their minds like whatever got them on that 'Yellow Submarine' (we can leave it up to your imagination) and we loved taking that musical trip. The real problems lied internally. And you can see that in the tension with the undisputed soul of the band George Harrison and the songwriting he brought to the band that was truly 'Something' (it's no coincidence that all The Beatles songs covered by R&B artists making them even more funky and soulful, were written by George). Hearing John at one breaking point say, "we'll just get Clapton" is heartbreaking on so many levels. But it'll all be right on the night...or middle of the afternoon. Especially as this movie is justice for Ringo and an appreciation for the drumming Starr's talent. As Lennon with a needed cigarette reluctantly gets behind the skins for 'Octopus's Garden' it's clear Richard Starkey isn't just one of the greatest drummers in the world, but the best in The Beatles. More than a Thomas the Tank Engine train announcer. And how about the fifth Beatle? No, not Stuart Sutcliffe, or George Martin (yes, to Brian Epstein, here and mourned in spirit), but a scene stealing Texan, Billy Preston behind the electric piano keys. Camaraderie and professionalism personified. Getting back to what made them rock and roll music cover stars, before a rolling stone. And make Jackson the six Beatle as he finds new ways to curate 50 hours of footage and cut through 130 hours of audio to cut through to the core of something that at almost half a day of run time still feels clear and concise. This is their last dance. And if we can watch ten hours of basketball's Beatles in the Chicago Bulls on Netflix (Jordan and Pippen the Lennon and McCartney and erm Dennis Rodman as George?!), then we can certainly cross the road a few more times with this fab four dynasty. From biplanes circling the Empire State Building in Lower Manhattan, to one ring to rule them all, walking into Mordor like one simply does not do, the 'King Kong', 'LOTR' director Peter Jackson is known to direct giant epics of goliath proportions. But on the rooftops of a big Apple building with the biggest band in the world, he's never hit heights like this...until now. When it comes to 'Get Back', it's time to get on it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'The Beatles-Eight Days A Week', 'Yesterday', 'They Shall Not Grow Old'.
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