Search - Hendrix on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 4/6/2023...

Keep Walking!

Typical TV Movie

C. S. Junker | Burien, WA USA | 04/09/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This made-for-cable movie is an honest attempt to boil down Jimi Hendrix's life and music down to less than two hours. Unfortunately the producers were unable to obtain the rights to any of Jimi's songs, so the musical score is entirely made of up his covers (Hey Joe, All Along the Watchtower, Wild Thing, etc.) plus some unattributed jamming. You get the typical 60s montages (JFK, Malcom X, the Beatles, Dylan, etc.) along with the cookie-cutter dialogue and vastly oversimplified story.Despite some good performances, the script doesn't really offer the scope to examine why Hendrix's music was so revolutionary, or the problems that led to his early death. There's not much fire here, either, as the film suffers from wooden pacing and is never especially absorbing.The documentary film "Jimi Hendrix", also available on DVD, is a far better way to gain an appreciation of this artist."

This is an abomination - negative 5 stars

Chet Fakir | DC | 07/27/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This trainwreck is better than Oliver Stones excreble Doors movie, at least in terms of the facts, but thats the only thing positive I can say about it. Its not an entertaining view by any stretch of the imagination and the flaws, of which there are many, are glaring and so egregious they spoil the movie. I'll touch on a couple of the most criminal. First off the actor playing Hendrix simply does not have the acting skills or physical resemblance to make a believable Hendrix. He's not a horrible actor, just in no way convincing as Jimi. Perhaps they should have cast somebody who had even a remote clue as how to play a guitar. Likewise the guys playing Noel and Mitch are in no way convincing. In fact that criticism holds true for everyone in the movie except perhaps for Billy Zanes' portrayal of Mike Jeffrey. Many of the character portrayals are at best laughable. Second and most importantly NONE of the music in the film was written or played by Hendrix. Since the filmakers couldn't get the rights to Hendrix's music they could use only those songs Jimi covered, such as Hey Joe and they couldn't use Hendrix's performances either. Instead they used some studio band to play the covers and bad Hendrix-like songs/jams instead. I'm sorry but watching the actors badly pretend to play BAD Hendrix-like songs performed by some studio hacks creates more pain than should be inflicted on any movie goer. This film does a diservice to Hendrix's memory and legacy. Avoid it at all costs."

Unintentional Humor and Intentional Boredom.

Charles Scott Bennett | New York, NY USA | 07/18/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Hmmm... Where to start?
Wood Harris isn't really that terrible of an actor. (Although I've only see him in one movie.) This has to be one of the most challenging roles for any actor. Wood, however, plays Hendrix as if he was a mumbling airhead. The filmmakers also needed to get an actor who could actually play guitar. He didn't have to necessarily be good, just know enough to fake it. (Hendrix is one of the best guitarists in history, so it's okay if you can't play like him.) Also, this film, being a TV-movie, had a limited budget. The Woodstock scene was painful to watch, especially when it appeared as if Hendrix was only playing in front of a crowd of 10 extras. The costumes were great, but the hairpieces really needed some work.
The biggest disappointment was the music. Since, the filmmakers were unable to license Hendrix's music, we get some really bad cover tunes with a singer that doesn't even sound like him. It should have been a sign that his movie should have never been made."