Search - The Doors (Special Edition) on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 4/24/2020...

A deep and dark look into world of Jim Morrison of the Doors...

Mostly reviewing the new features

lawgiver4feh | 01/13/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Pam joined him three years later . . ." is on my copy of the 15 Year Anniversary Edition; the movie is the same as the Special Edition.

The packaging and menus are updated and look great. Substantially better than the special edition.

On to the 2 new features.

The Doors in L.A. - 20 minute feature; Robbie Krieger, John Densmore, (yaaay!), Jimmy Greenspoon, and Pamela Des Barres are the prominent interviews on camera here. Nothing earth shattering, but it's nice to see/hear John Densmore's abridged opinions.

The Jim Morrison Phenomena in Paris - it's interesting. You've got a handful of people who met JDM in Paris and hung out; they describe his mood and what he was (arguably) saying at the time. There's a French librarian who breaks down a lot of the parallels in the subtleties of the lyrics w/Greek literature. There's a somewhat annoying 20 something saying Jim was done with music and The Doors and blah, blah, blah that isn't substantiated w/anything. There is an interview w/Michelle Rudler, who is listed as "Coroner" who says lots of things were done wrong in the documentation of Morrison's death. It's about 50 minutes.

All of the extras on the Special Edition are here as well.

So in conclusion, if you are looking to purchase The Doors movie on DVD, by Oliver Stone, this is the one to get. The movie is entertaining enough but, you know, it's fictional and not historically accurate enough to garner more than 3 stars from this reviewer."

"Does Anyone Really Know?" ~ Shamanic Excess And The Lizard

Brian E. Erland | Brea, CA - USA | 01/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'The Doors' were one of the greatest rock and roll bands of the sixties and the quintessential California group of the decade. They so embodied the West Coast counterculture experience that viewing this biographical film about Jim Morrison and The Doors also provides a fascinating view of the cultural and spiritual forces that drove Jim and that entire generation to challenge the status quo of the American mainstream.

What exactly is the true story of the life and death of Jim Morrison? Is it the story of one of the many rebellious young adults of the time who in looking for an alternative way of living got lost along the way in the drugs, alcohol and sexual freedom that so dominated that culture? Or is Jims' story a deeply mystical tale announcing the rebirth of ancient shamanism into the collective consciousness of the twentieth century? The story of someone chosen by the spirits to bring the 'old ways' to a new generation looking for something to fill the spiritual void brought about by the loss of belief in the Christian God?

Director Oliver Stone has played the mythmaker to perfection in this amazing film providing us with the unique experience of entering into the American Dreamtime. Layering mundane worldly events intermitently with glimpses of the psychic, shamanic forces motivating those events we are given the opportunity to chose for ourselves what level of reality we are willing, or ready to accept. A truly remarkable accomplishment.

As for the performance of Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison, it couldn't have been better. His ability to capture both the physcial appearance and dark persona of the legendary rock star so completely is beyond extraordinary. Without question Val was born to play this role.

Did Jim really believe he was the "Electric Shaman" called by the spirits to open the "Doors of Perception" to a sleeping world? Was he Dionysus reborn, here to use his suggestive music and lyrics to arouse his followers and bring to fruition his new 'Rites of Spring' with "Golden copulations in the streets of L.A." More likely he was playing the part of the mischevious Indian 'Trickster' leading us once again in the wrong direction. Maybe it's just like his Mother said long ago while the old Indian lay dying along the roadside in the California desert. "It's just a dream Jimmy, that's all it is."

So relax, show no fear, "Kiss the Snake" and enjoy the ride!"

Oliver Stone is drunk on Jim Morrison

ninjasuperstar | Iowa | 02/07/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The Doors

Some reviewers seem annoyed that the film is actually about Jim Morrison and not about The Doors. And it's true. The band seems like a canvas upon which Jim Morrison can sing, act out, drink, and otherwise remain perpetually painted at the forefront of this film. Oliver Stone's camera is enamored with Val Kilmer's Jim Morrison. And Kilmer's performance is quite exciting, indeed. But I wonder why Stone lets Kilmer steal the entire movie. Where are The Doors? Where's the history of the band? The movie suggests that The Doors revolve entirely around Morrison and that the stories of the other band members, while likely less crazy and sensational, are not at all interesting without Morrison's presence and influence.

I think the tragedy of Jim Morrison's life is that he actually believed that drugs, sex, and alcohol - mixed with a soul trapped by societal conventions - somehow opens the artist to the infinite beauty of the universe. But really, it's pain that drives all good art. Morrison writes, speaks, and sings of his poor relationship with his parents. He sought the convention of a happy family by desensitizing himself rather than facing his fear of utter abandonment honestly and soberly. It's this pain that makes Morrison somewhat sympathetic. Despite his determination to live as an alcoholic drug addict, some pain seeped out, taking the forms of poetry, film, and music.

Perhaps psychoanalyzing Morrison is too easy, but we aren't given much else from Stone and Kilmer. Whenever Morrison appears drunken and aggressive in front of the band, watch the faces of the band members. They know exactly what's wrong with Morrison as they fight the futile battle of getting Morrison sober enough to sing another song."