RR2 Visualive DVD Review - part two
Apr. 10th, 2010 04:18 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
karadin.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
gackt_armySPOILERS!!!
MY FATHER'S DAY
We leave the WW2 cyborg theme behind as Gackt and Job appear from behind a screen dressed in casual clothing, with large red-and-black flags in their back pockets and around their waists, Gackt in white with a red plaid shirt, Chirolyn and Chacha's in zebra print vests with You and Jun-ji in orange.
There's a stairway-to-heaven graphic on the screen (Gackt wrote this song as an ode to his friend and mentor, Ogata Ken, whom he met while filming Fuurin Kazan.) The style of shooting shows the excitement of the live performance, and Gackt displays his talent for being able to project to the back of the venue as well as perform for the cameras.
MIRROR
Be prepared for Gackt's famous call-and-answer period of the show, (alas not translated into English) predominately crowd shots here, It's quite a long time before we even see the stage, Gackt or Job, as they are plunged in the dark - 1:26 min to be precise. But its worth it Gackt brings all the bounce of this vintage song, I do like shots from inside the front ten rows, gives more a sense of being there and Gackt gives the last chorus for the fans to sing.
Long interval here where Gackt and Job shout back and forth to the crowd, Gackt's voice going surprisingly high! Jun-Ji can get outside the drum kit, which is nice. My throat gets sore just watching this, then back to the song! Gackt runs over to embrace You in a reprise of this performance from early tours, so cute! Gackt collapses on his back in exhaustion at end of song.
(DISC TWO)
MC
Gackt returns to stage (alone) managing to look regal in red plaid. He starts things off by squirting water bottles at the crowd and throwing bottles to the upper balconies. THEN he gets an air gun from a uniformed cyborg to fire autographed balls into the crowd.
Gackt says 'okarei' to get the fans to respond, 'taidama - welcome home'. At one point he gets everyone to jump up and down, then laughs at them, bigger and brighter smiles as we go on, a must for any big fan. Part of this MC is translated in the behind the scenes disc, where he says, even though it is the final performance, he does not want to feel sad, but asks fans to cheer with him so he has a good feeling about it. 'Arigato!' And bows.
At 30 min into disc two, Gackt Job show up! We get the member introductions now.
Jun-Ji is first! Getting from behind his drum kit and putting on shoes, Then the members get to shout call-and-answer to the crowd, (without microphones!)
Jun-Ji does great job, (no pun intended)
Chirolyn is next! He has some great props which crack up audience (and Gackt) including sucking on helium! Gackt falls over laughing. Chirolyn finishes by throwing autographed balls and the can of helium!
The crowd loves Chaha, he really puts himself into shouting, you are hoping he does not fall over! He gets everyone going with 'yays'
Okay now You! Who cracks up right away, and the crowd laughs when his voice is not so strong. He's talking about body parts here, and Gackt and Job end up falling over themselves. You tosses out autographed balls as well, and clasps hands with Gackt.
Then Gackt gets to shout without mic, to incite the crowd.
Shots from inside the crowd make these scenes effective. MC is one hour long.
(and I thought when going to shows, wear light colors, Gackt can see you from the stage that way!)
U and K
Gackt leads crowd into singing first chorus of song and then music begins, we see four neko,(cats) two adult and two kittens (kittens are various children chosen from an open casting call) Gackt wears a neko paw that fans could also purchase, and they wave them during this song. The choreography is adapted from the first tour MARS, Gackt Job also join in dancing.
It's nice to see this, as Gackt had once promised he would not perform this any more, but due to fan demand brought it back, and as it's the 10th anniversary tour, thanks Gackt! *for anyone who wants to know how difficult it is to dance in these neko costumes, see Gackt's Sixth Day Seventh Night concert DVD extra of a fan who was given the opportunity to perform.*
KOAKUMA HEAVEN
One of the most memorable and exciting parts of the concert, the techno pop dance track of Koakuma Heaven is enhanced by a huge DDR game, Gackt dances now with four adult neko, to be joined be a team of 16 lovely Ageha (hostess) girls in long dresses and wigs. A storm of glitter to seal the deal. The sharp editing really picks up the energy of the performance. An interlude during the song shows each Gackt Job member dancing along to the game graphics on the large screen, Chacha, You and Chirolyn team up, Jun-Ji then of course, Gackt wins the top level! (congratulations song from Final Fantasy plays) And some really high screaming from Gackt! (and he still looks prettier than any of the girls.)
PAPA LAPPED A PAP LOPPED
Vintage Gackt with the 8-man dance team in costumes like Job in camo pants and vests, the choreography adapted from the PV of this song. Gackt does a great job dancing while singing, the dancers show some break dance moves. A dancer imitates shooting the team, who are lined up, his bullets bounce off the cyborg Gackt and Gackt's the last man standing.
This meets the style and exuberance of the Kagen no Tsuki LUNA choreography for me. The dancers then showboat to get their well deserved cheers, the two final dancers - blonde Kazuya and brunette Siva, did the choreography this tour.
FARAWAY
Not ready to fall over yet? Gackt starts this song off with the swirl of a hand towel, a movement followed by the crowd with their own red towels, the screen behind showing a big blue sky with big fluffy clouds, great for the bouncy optimistic mood of the song. The crowd knows just where to shout back. The DVD has been a great mix of long shots and closeups in the right places. And Gackt doesn't look like he's even breaking a sweat! Sugoi!
FLOWER
Lights come down and Gackt speaks into the mic in relative darkness, to speak the words of Zero to Maria, that he wishes to be reborn as a flower, some flame bursts help change the mood and tempo to this rock song, one of the strongest of the RR2 album. Gackt really gives you something of everything in this concert, and it is the most straightforward rock performance of the DVD, eschewing the graphics and dazzle of the concert so far, gives a nice sense of immediacy.
Gackt's drop to the knees intentional and effective.
KIMI NO TAME NI DEKIRU KOTO
You and Chacha appear in spotlights Gackt sits on the steps between them to the accompaniment of their guitars. Lights come up to show a stained glass cathedral window, and drums add to the instrumental, this song has always had an effervescent mood. Lights come up to show off audience, all waving along. Gackt reconnecting with his younger self and fans memories of same. BOOM streamer cannon to punctuate the last chorus. Music slows down, star field appears behind Gackt. Curtains draw shut.
LOST ANGELS
A longer music intro segues us back into the Zero story, Gackt appears before the same star field alone in his uniform, red lights come up as he begins to sing, and he's back in character, back are the cybernetic sounds to reinforce that, Job also in uniform. This is truly a lovely ballad, there are some added post production effects not seen in concert, sparkles in the air. Lights change to blue and snow begins to fall.
At the last chorus snow appears to drift up and Zero has a pair of angel wings before collapsing, lights go dark - when they snap up, Zero stands before the members of his Division, all in uniform on the steps (with Gackt Job) behind him, very effective in DVD and in concert. (You's singing along!) scrim falls, spotlight still on Gackt to fade.
END FILM
Scenes open on destruction of the cyborg army, who attacked the laboratory where they were created, Zero stating that they won the war (destroying the lab though they were themselves destroyed). Camera rolls over rubble and bodies to reveal Zero, who has been reduced to a torso, his arm and legs blown away. Asakura, the officer who betrayed Rei and turned him into the cyborg Zero is there.
The German Commander smokes a cigarette beside Zero's still form. He tells Zero he is nothing, scrap metal. He asks Zero to cry like a real man would. Zero is able to move only his head.
The Commander tells the squad to kill him, Zero replies that the machines had greater humanity than the men they served. The Commander himself fires on Zero. Asakura finally realizes what he has done to Rei and places a picture in his hand, giving him back a memory of when he, Rei and Maria were friends. Zero eyes are sparking, as he is still aware, and he fuses this picture with the image in his mind, and weeps before he dies.
Excellently acted by Gackt, who incidentally, was able to go at least 12-20 minute shoots without blinking.
END CREDITS
Photos of Zero with his men and Rei, Asukara and Maria, and scenes from the RR2 film show during credits to background of Gackt's song Saikai Story as an instrumental. I think I saw one shot where Maria touches Zero's palm as he is dying, not sure.
Last shot of three flowers that have grown where Zero/Rei died, and Gackt stating '
'I pray that some day, this world will be a place without war, a place of peace.'
BEHIND THE SCENES DVD
Don't want to call this a documentary, because it is not comprehensive, the DVD consists mostly of scenes of Gackt and his dancers working out and bonding, then snapshots of Gackt doing interviews. I do think it gives you an idea of how Gackt is off-stage, he comes off as very human and not-a-star and I very much appreciate the portrait it gives you of a serious professional who considers all parts of his show, this can be seen in his talk to staff and making sure he surveys the arena from all levels to see what a fan would see of the show.
He shows scenes of working out, showing off his prowess, also beating up on dancers and staff, so make sure you have a good health and death benefit when you work with Gackt. He shows himself exhausted after performances, we see birthday celebrations for Job members on stage, (telling You not to cry!) There are little bits of making the concert film. There is also a bit where he dresses up in a neko (cat)costume to interact with fans, but they guess who he is, and he comes away feeling exhausted, and perhaps a little overwhelmed.
MY FATHER'S DAY
We leave the WW2 cyborg theme behind as Gackt and Job appear from behind a screen dressed in casual clothing, with large red-and-black flags in their back pockets and around their waists, Gackt in white with a red plaid shirt, Chirolyn and Chacha's in zebra print vests with You and Jun-ji in orange.
There's a stairway-to-heaven graphic on the screen (Gackt wrote this song as an ode to his friend and mentor, Ogata Ken, whom he met while filming Fuurin Kazan.) The style of shooting shows the excitement of the live performance, and Gackt displays his talent for being able to project to the back of the venue as well as perform for the cameras.
MIRROR
Be prepared for Gackt's famous call-and-answer period of the show, (alas not translated into English) predominately crowd shots here, It's quite a long time before we even see the stage, Gackt or Job, as they are plunged in the dark - 1:26 min to be precise. But its worth it Gackt brings all the bounce of this vintage song, I do like shots from inside the front ten rows, gives more a sense of being there and Gackt gives the last chorus for the fans to sing.
Long interval here where Gackt and Job shout back and forth to the crowd, Gackt's voice going surprisingly high! Jun-Ji can get outside the drum kit, which is nice. My throat gets sore just watching this, then back to the song! Gackt runs over to embrace You in a reprise of this performance from early tours, so cute! Gackt collapses on his back in exhaustion at end of song.
(DISC TWO)
MC
Gackt returns to stage (alone) managing to look regal in red plaid. He starts things off by squirting water bottles at the crowd and throwing bottles to the upper balconies. THEN he gets an air gun from a uniformed cyborg to fire autographed balls into the crowd.
Gackt says 'okarei' to get the fans to respond, 'taidama - welcome home'. At one point he gets everyone to jump up and down, then laughs at them, bigger and brighter smiles as we go on, a must for any big fan. Part of this MC is translated in the behind the scenes disc, where he says, even though it is the final performance, he does not want to feel sad, but asks fans to cheer with him so he has a good feeling about it. 'Arigato!' And bows.
At 30 min into disc two, Gackt Job show up! We get the member introductions now.
Jun-Ji is first! Getting from behind his drum kit and putting on shoes, Then the members get to shout call-and-answer to the crowd, (without microphones!)
Jun-Ji does great job, (no pun intended)
Chirolyn is next! He has some great props which crack up audience (and Gackt) including sucking on helium! Gackt falls over laughing. Chirolyn finishes by throwing autographed balls and the can of helium!
The crowd loves Chaha, he really puts himself into shouting, you are hoping he does not fall over! He gets everyone going with 'yays'
Okay now You! Who cracks up right away, and the crowd laughs when his voice is not so strong. He's talking about body parts here, and Gackt and Job end up falling over themselves. You tosses out autographed balls as well, and clasps hands with Gackt.
Then Gackt gets to shout without mic, to incite the crowd.
Shots from inside the crowd make these scenes effective. MC is one hour long.
(and I thought when going to shows, wear light colors, Gackt can see you from the stage that way!)
U and K
Gackt leads crowd into singing first chorus of song and then music begins, we see four neko,(cats) two adult and two kittens (kittens are various children chosen from an open casting call) Gackt wears a neko paw that fans could also purchase, and they wave them during this song. The choreography is adapted from the first tour MARS, Gackt Job also join in dancing.
It's nice to see this, as Gackt had once promised he would not perform this any more, but due to fan demand brought it back, and as it's the 10th anniversary tour, thanks Gackt! *for anyone who wants to know how difficult it is to dance in these neko costumes, see Gackt's Sixth Day Seventh Night concert DVD extra of a fan who was given the opportunity to perform.*
KOAKUMA HEAVEN
One of the most memorable and exciting parts of the concert, the techno pop dance track of Koakuma Heaven is enhanced by a huge DDR game, Gackt dances now with four adult neko, to be joined be a team of 16 lovely Ageha (hostess) girls in long dresses and wigs. A storm of glitter to seal the deal. The sharp editing really picks up the energy of the performance. An interlude during the song shows each Gackt Job member dancing along to the game graphics on the large screen, Chacha, You and Chirolyn team up, Jun-Ji then of course, Gackt wins the top level! (congratulations song from Final Fantasy plays) And some really high screaming from Gackt! (and he still looks prettier than any of the girls.)
PAPA LAPPED A PAP LOPPED
Vintage Gackt with the 8-man dance team in costumes like Job in camo pants and vests, the choreography adapted from the PV of this song. Gackt does a great job dancing while singing, the dancers show some break dance moves. A dancer imitates shooting the team, who are lined up, his bullets bounce off the cyborg Gackt and Gackt's the last man standing.
This meets the style and exuberance of the Kagen no Tsuki LUNA choreography for me. The dancers then showboat to get their well deserved cheers, the two final dancers - blonde Kazuya and brunette Siva, did the choreography this tour.
FARAWAY
Not ready to fall over yet? Gackt starts this song off with the swirl of a hand towel, a movement followed by the crowd with their own red towels, the screen behind showing a big blue sky with big fluffy clouds, great for the bouncy optimistic mood of the song. The crowd knows just where to shout back. The DVD has been a great mix of long shots and closeups in the right places. And Gackt doesn't look like he's even breaking a sweat! Sugoi!
FLOWER
Lights come down and Gackt speaks into the mic in relative darkness, to speak the words of Zero to Maria, that he wishes to be reborn as a flower, some flame bursts help change the mood and tempo to this rock song, one of the strongest of the RR2 album. Gackt really gives you something of everything in this concert, and it is the most straightforward rock performance of the DVD, eschewing the graphics and dazzle of the concert so far, gives a nice sense of immediacy.
Gackt's drop to the knees intentional and effective.
KIMI NO TAME NI DEKIRU KOTO
You and Chacha appear in spotlights Gackt sits on the steps between them to the accompaniment of their guitars. Lights come up to show a stained glass cathedral window, and drums add to the instrumental, this song has always had an effervescent mood. Lights come up to show off audience, all waving along. Gackt reconnecting with his younger self and fans memories of same. BOOM streamer cannon to punctuate the last chorus. Music slows down, star field appears behind Gackt. Curtains draw shut.
LOST ANGELS
A longer music intro segues us back into the Zero story, Gackt appears before the same star field alone in his uniform, red lights come up as he begins to sing, and he's back in character, back are the cybernetic sounds to reinforce that, Job also in uniform. This is truly a lovely ballad, there are some added post production effects not seen in concert, sparkles in the air. Lights change to blue and snow begins to fall.
At the last chorus snow appears to drift up and Zero has a pair of angel wings before collapsing, lights go dark - when they snap up, Zero stands before the members of his Division, all in uniform on the steps (with Gackt Job) behind him, very effective in DVD and in concert. (You's singing along!) scrim falls, spotlight still on Gackt to fade.
END FILM
Scenes open on destruction of the cyborg army, who attacked the laboratory where they were created, Zero stating that they won the war (destroying the lab though they were themselves destroyed). Camera rolls over rubble and bodies to reveal Zero, who has been reduced to a torso, his arm and legs blown away. Asakura, the officer who betrayed Rei and turned him into the cyborg Zero is there.
The German Commander smokes a cigarette beside Zero's still form. He tells Zero he is nothing, scrap metal. He asks Zero to cry like a real man would. Zero is able to move only his head.
The Commander tells the squad to kill him, Zero replies that the machines had greater humanity than the men they served. The Commander himself fires on Zero. Asakura finally realizes what he has done to Rei and places a picture in his hand, giving him back a memory of when he, Rei and Maria were friends. Zero eyes are sparking, as he is still aware, and he fuses this picture with the image in his mind, and weeps before he dies.
Excellently acted by Gackt, who incidentally, was able to go at least 12-20 minute shoots without blinking.
END CREDITS
Photos of Zero with his men and Rei, Asukara and Maria, and scenes from the RR2 film show during credits to background of Gackt's song Saikai Story as an instrumental. I think I saw one shot where Maria touches Zero's palm as he is dying, not sure.
Last shot of three flowers that have grown where Zero/Rei died, and Gackt stating '
'I pray that some day, this world will be a place without war, a place of peace.'
BEHIND THE SCENES DVD
Don't want to call this a documentary, because it is not comprehensive, the DVD consists mostly of scenes of Gackt and his dancers working out and bonding, then snapshots of Gackt doing interviews. I do think it gives you an idea of how Gackt is off-stage, he comes off as very human and not-a-star and I very much appreciate the portrait it gives you of a serious professional who considers all parts of his show, this can be seen in his talk to staff and making sure he surveys the arena from all levels to see what a fan would see of the show.
He shows scenes of working out, showing off his prowess, also beating up on dancers and staff, so make sure you have a good health and death benefit when you work with Gackt. He shows himself exhausted after performances, we see birthday celebrations for Job members on stage, (telling You not to cry!) There are little bits of making the concert film. There is also a bit where he dresses up in a neko (cat)costume to interact with fans, but they guess who he is, and he comes away feeling exhausted, and perhaps a little overwhelmed.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 03:30 am (UTC)Thanks again for the wonderful write up!
no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 07:51 am (UTC)Thanks for the review! :)
no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 08:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-12 05:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 06:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 08:22 pm (UTC)I like the way that you've balanced your reporting style with the occasional personal comment (like Gackt being prettier than the girls!). It's a very enjoyable read, thanks!
no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 11:04 pm (UTC)It was really interesting to read your thoughts about it.
And it's truly and serious observation and an healthy critic.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-11 11:45 pm (UTC)