Elevation 2001: U2 Live from Boston (2001 Video) User Reviews

U2 fans, just get it of course

[zapdude · 9/10 · 8 December 2001]

I saw the Elevation concert here in Calgary. From the moment we realized that the band was on stage (they snuck in) until a few minutes after the last chords faded away, everyone was screaming, yelling, and singing every word.

I've been a U2 fan for most of my adult life, and seeing this concert was like a completion for me. This DVD is an extremely well shot summary of the concert, with excellent sound.

Nobody needs to explain anything political or technical about U2 or their lives. If you love U2, you need this DVD and will buy it anyway. If you hate U2, nothing I can say will change your mind, so I'll just feel sorry for you.

A great gig, and fans will love it.

[AndoMando · 9/10 · 26 November 2002]

This footage from Boston, during U2's famous Elevation Tour, proves that U2 are one of the greatest bands of the moment.

>From opener 'Elevation' to the closing 'Walk On', they play almost all their hits, plus songs from their recent 'All That You Can't Leave Behind' LP. The only flaw is that 'One' is not included.

The heart shaped stage is also impressive, as is singer Bono's sunglasses, with fixed cameras. You can almost feel what its like to walk on stage idolised by thousands. A must for fans.

Standout tracks: Until The End Of The World, In A Little While, The Fly.

9 out of 10.

Amazing.

[Wayne_Excellent · 10/10 · 18 March 2002]

The first time I saw this I couldn't believe it. This film is absolutely stunning. Anybody, without a doubt, can feel the energy like you were right in the room. You want to get up and jump around with everybody in the screen when U2 plays "Elevation" and you are brought to tears during songs like "Stay" and "Kite". The heart-shaped stage really did help the performers and audience connect, everybody's closer together, not only physically, but emotionally, too, I think. It was a bit if-y as to whether or not U2 was still the best band in the world, but this film proved it. Perfect 10.

They're back!!

[chrisow · 9/10 · 21 April 2002]

After spending the 90's producing some of the most bizarre albums ever, U2 are back to what they do best. This DVD will convert you into a fan: I dare anybody not to have the hairs on their necks standing endwise when Edge plays the spine tingling chords of Where The Streets Have No Name and when Bono runs up the stage, like a man possessed.

My only complaint is that the crowd look dead at times (Elevation, Desire, Until The End Of The World). I say to them: wake up. The greatest rock and roll band alive are in front of you.

A MUST OWN FOR ANY U2 FAN

[gibson9595 · 10/10 · 13 July 2002]

Bono and gang have done it once again. The blend of the newest songs from the latest album, "All of the Things You Can't Leave Behind", to the old chart toppers from their earliest of albums, "Boy", will leave any fan singing along. The appeal of this tour is the proximity of the fans. With the heart shaped cat-walk, the fans are only a few feet away. Despite the constant ankle pulling, Bono sings the tune of yet another must-own for the millions of rock fans across the globe.

U2 conquer Boston

[masterstylistic · 10/10 · 8 December 2001]

U2 prove once again that they are the loudest and largest band on the face of the earth. No film could ever justify the energy and emotion of a live U2 show, but if ever one could come close... that one would be the Elevation in Boston DVD. Make sure you watch it on a large screen with full surround sound and sub-woofer action for full effect!!

Ripping open with "Elevation", check out the hidden track on DVD 1 to watch the entire song from Bono's perspective via the bono-goggles-cam. As the lights flash and dim down to introduce "Beautiful Day", U2 pour out their souls into an awesome concert full of emotion and good old rock and roll. Watch as Edge looses his pick during "Gone", then looses it on his guitar by throwing it onto the floor in disgust - as anyone would trying to play a hard solo with bare fingers. Only disappointment is the non-existent track "One" - simply one of their best tracks in not on the DVD.

A definite must have for all U2 fans, and a must-see for everyone to appreciate U2 throwing down an awesome performance.

Cheers!

Short Review...

[balt0r · 8/10 · 3 January 2002]

First of all let me say that U2 is my favorite band and will probably always be my favorite band (although I dislike Zooropa and Pop, personally).

I saw them twice on their Elevation Tour, and both times were some of the greatest experiences of my life. The DVD of their show in Boston helps me remember a lot of the enjoyment I got from the concert, but it also has a shortcoming that I cannot forgive..

Both of the times I saw U2 in concert, they played One and New Year's Day. In the Boston show, however, they neglected to play either of them. In my opinion, if they wanted to drop two songs they could have made a better choice. Sure it's all opinion, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed to see those two songs absent from the DVD.

Anyway.. the DVD could not possibly recreate the live experience, but it does an admirable job of trying. Any U2 fan should be pleased.

8/10

A moving experience...

[megahog · 9/10 · 14 December 2001]

U2 has proven time and time again, that they can still put on a great rock show. It's truly amazing to me to see how beautifully they can still perform, and how they performed at Boston. From the energetic opening of the show with "Elevation", to the emotional performance of "With or Without You", to the extended version of "Walk On" to close things up - U2 designed a concert so pure and perfect, and it was U2 at their finest, and most brilliant of times. Not for one second will anyone get bored of watching this show. Bono is constantly keeping everyone in the crowd awake and alive, and the rest of the band performs without any mistakes (as usual). It's truly a moving experience to watch this concert, for almost every classic is played, and played well. The "old" U2 is back, and they play the classics like they just wrote them yesterday.

Some notable performances on this tape would include : "Where the Streets Have No Name" (incredible to see live), "With or Without You" (a beautiful, passionate version, on where Bono sings the entire song personally to a woman from the crowd), "New Year's Day", and "Walk On". Overall, though, the entire concert is appropriately done. The production and camera shots could not have been any better, and at the end you feel like you were actually there.

I would like to congratulate U2 on successfully winning over their fans again. Not only has their tour been a huge success this year, but they have shown great support to Americans everywhere after the Sept. 11 events. I recommend, and endorse this concert taping full heartedly. U2 is back with an a familiar energy, and they are still packing arenas and touching the hearts of many.

Unbelievable

[sdfriar · 10/10 · 30 April 2002]

This concert was fantastic live, but this is the next best thing. Every shot is captured in stunning beauty, and it really does its best to capture the atmosphere of the live show. This is an absolute must for U2 fans, and a great reminder for those who attended any of the Elevation shows. The "making of" feature on the DVD is wonderful as well.

What a great show

[thepulse101 · 10/10 · 23 May 2006]

Although I have must started in on U2's music and live concerts I found this to be tied with U2 Live in Chicago to be one of the greatest concert of all time! The crowd is so happy to see them play them play live that it makes the band even happier and makes for a wicked show. I love how Bono is jumping around all the time and unlike other rock stars he does not have any security guards to hold the crow back. I think the amount of work put into this show is mind blowing ( the ellipse is probably the most time consuming but really puts the cherry on top.)I didn't see it live I saw it on the DVD but trust me the camera crew did an excellent of capturing the concert on video. A must see for all rock fans.

What a disappointment?

[Indiana-15 · 3/10 · 18 October 2002]

As a fan of U2 for decades I was severely disappointed in this concert. The sound on the demo tapes on which I voted for the A side of U2's first single was 10 times superior to this. The sound was awful and the camerawork looked like it was taken by someone with a videocamera in the crowd. I so looked forward to watching this and was bitterly disappointed.

Revelation: Dead from Boston (DVD)

[leplatypus · 1/10 · 5 March 2011]

It's painful for me to write this but i'm really fed up with U2 shows by now! It's even more unfortunate because they are (still?) my favorite band and i remember that as a teen, I even cracked my savings to buy expensive bootlegs from them. But, actually, i found their show dull.

I like to listen their albums, reading their interviews but watching their concerts, argh ! But I really tried with this one: The show begins with light on: cool: then, "elevation", "beautiful day", good dynamic songs! Then, lights go off and it's time for "until the end of the world" a song that i dislike even more that it's always played! I survived until "Kite" but with "New York", a boring song for me, i just threw the sponge (or the brick) and went writing with the DVD giving me ambiance sound.

If the design was more befitted with music (simple, clear, direct), i just have enough of the same hits played over and over and over. When U2 was a great band, ALL songs from "Boy" to "Pop" are great, so they can play whatever they can pick.

If i didn't watch the show, i watched the extras but they are cheap and crazy: they put a road movie without subtitles so for foreigners fan of U2, it's useless. As in the concert, Bono's interaction with people aren't subtitled so his speech is lost! With all money U2 gain, i expected them to pay fans more care! Hopefully, just 2 more shows and it's over for a long time!