Search - Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation Compilation on DVD

Solid music and videos from a great song/dance era

J. Lizzi | Costa Mesa, CA | 04/08/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very good compilation DVD, containing the seven hits from Janet's "Rhythm Nation" album that became radio and MTV favorites. Hers were some of the top dance songs of that time, and a couple of the videos are absolute classics. There are no surprises here: what you get is the best of big-budget video making from 1989-1990, with lavish sets, lots of dancers, and great cinematography, courtesy of excellent directors. Dominic Sena's direction is the most represented, with three of the videos. Peter Smillie, Julian Temple, Wayne Isham and Herb Ritts contribute one each.For those of you who are already familiar with these videos, the following may be of interest:Thumbs-Up #1: "Miss You Much" contains the 35-second choreographed "chair sequence" (I didn't know what to call it) at the end. MTV showed this regularly at first, but phased it out after the video had been in heavy rotation for awhile. I always love watching this part, and often wonder how many takes were needed to get it perfect.Thumbs-Up #2: "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" features the fully black-and-white version, which I feel is far superior to the alternate (partly colorized) version contained on the "Design of a Decade" DVD. This is Janet at her all-time sexiest, and Mr. Ritts proves that his mastery of b/w images translates well from photo to video. I never tire of watching his work, especially this one.Thumbs-Up #3: "Alright" is the extended version (including Heavy D's rap).Not a Thumbs-Up: "Rhythm Nation" is not the "long form" which won awards a couple years after the album came out. I was hoping this was included . . . but no.As far as extras go, there are some, but not many. The Prologue is a three-minute montage of laudatory comments by Janet's directors and some of her music biz buddies. The Epilogue, even shorter, contains footage of Janet meeting with some inspired fans. Also, there are 15 to 45 seconds of behind-the-scenes footage preceding each video. Cool, but I would have loved more since I find video-making fascinating. I wish the total run time (55 minutes) was longer."

Janet at her creative peak

J. Lizzi | 07/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Rhythm Nation era contains her best music and best music videos ever of her career and is a solid period for janet in my most humble opinion. The music, the memorable moves, the voice, the songwriting, the melodies and last but not least, the music videos sum up everything that represents the true janet, in addition to the humanitarian side of janet which is well represented on this DVD as well. Even if you already own the Design of a Decade DVD with has all the Rhythm Nation videos, on this compilation, Miss You Much features the chair sequence at the end, heavy d makes an appearance in the Alright video and Love Will Never Do Without You is in black and white in it's entirety."

Happy birthday Janet!

Distant Voyageur | Io | 05/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although recent outings have proven highly subpar in recent years, I still never can get enough of the high quality of the 1989 through 1990 videos of the videos from her magnum opus Rhythm Nation 1814. Entitled "The Rhythm Nation Compilation", this is a brilliant and groundshattering collection of seven of the most popular videos of all time on one DVD!

It's about time this came out too. The video version I had had worn out from so much watching but the DVD not only is superior in sound qualit, it's also benifited from a visual clean-up job and the images are much better and sharper too to give it a much more modern feel.

Call me strange by saying this but I found Janet to be worlds sexier in the "Miss You Much" and "Black Cat" videos than in recent ones like "All For You" and even "If". MYM is without a doubt probably my all time favorite video by any woman artist to this very day and includes the legendary chair-routine that has been copied numerous times in the 16 years since it was filmed.

Older fans will dig this DVD and younger fans need to get this to see a much different (and sadly once a much more mature Janet than now) Janet than they are familiar with."

Janet's Rhythm Nation Makes a Return...on DVD...at Last!

S. Larkins | Dearborn, MI | 11/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been waiting for this Janet title, among others, to be released on DVD. I was ecstatic to finally get it because I had all but worn my tape out. It is even more outstanding on the DVD because of the instant video selection, and of course, the sound. It is excellent. Wow! It sounds even better than the Rhythm Nation CD. I kid you not! If you were a Rhythm Nation fan, or if you are a Janet fan, this is a must have. It is by far Janet's most versatile collection of videos from a singular album. Get it today, and you won't be sorry. Miss You Much, Rhythm Nation, Escapade, Black Cat, Alright, Come Back to Me, and Love Will Never Do (Without You)...need I say more? You NEED this DVD.The "All For You" Special Edition CD/DVD hits at the end of this November, and the "Design of a Decade" DVD hits in early December. Be on the look-out for all of Janet's best! Enjoy the "Rhythm Nation Compilation" DVD in the meanwhile. It could not be better!"