Search - U2: 18 Videos on DVD

U2's Video Greats

Thomas Magnum | NJ, USA | 11/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD will contain the videos for the songs contained on the cd. While there will be some overlap from the previously released 1990-2000 set, classic videos like the stark "New Year's Day" and the stirring "With Or Without You" will be included. U2 has always been a visual band and their videos are among the finest and most well-crafted in history. The DVD is a perfect companion to the cd set (which will have a bonus dvd of live material from a Vertigo Tour show in Milan)."

Disappointing

William | Australia | 12/03/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Whoever got the job of compiling this DVD should be shot at dawn because it is a poor representation of U2's history. There is no "Gloria", there is no "I will Follow", nor is there anything from Zooropa. Instead, the real focus is on the later years with the inclusion of two videos each for weak songs like "Walk on" and "Stuck in a moment" (both of which charted poorly internationally). There are three versions of "Vertigo". Why not just feature one version for each of these poor tracks which would then allow space for older videos like the first two I mentioned?

There are some positives, for example, an alternate version of "Pride" (on the special features") and "new years day" and "sunday bloody sunday" get an inclusion. You also get all three videos for "One" and the documentary for "One" is included (was also included on "Best of 1990-2000" DVD).

Die-hard fans will still want it, but overall it is a lost opportunity to present a comprehensive look at U2's history. How many versions of Vertigo on one DVD do we really want? None really."

A bit redundant, but hard to argue with U2

Daniel A. Marsh | Sherman, Texas United States | 01/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you bought the video release of "The Best of 1990-2000," you already own many of the videos on this latest compilation. "Beautiful Day," "Stuck in a Moment," "One," and "Mysterious Ways" were already in my U2 library, meaning I don't have to watch them on this disc. Fortunately, some of U2's 80s work is also featured on "U218," and they make the price of this collection worthwhile.

These are great videos. "With or Without You," with its creepy montages and washed-out colors; "Pride," which captures the Bono mullet in all its glory; "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," which is just a cool, documentary-style video shot on the streets of Las Vegas, and "Desire," which looks and feels like Rattle & Hum-era U2 ... and, best of all, "Where the Streets Have No Name," filmed in downtown Los Angeles, with the band performing on the roof of a liquor store with the LAPD shutting down the production! It's their best ever.

"Walk On" and "Elevation" are also here from All That You Can't Leave Behind. "Elevation" is a little too movie tie-in (sorry, I fail to see the connection between U2 and Laura Croft, aside from cash and exposure), but I really like both versions of "Walk On."

Two videos from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb are here, "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" and "Vertigo." Both are tremendous. But why not include "City of Blinding Lights" and "All Because of You" as well?

U2 are a bit strange in their policies. Why didn't they also include some of their earliest videos, like "Two Hearts Beat As One," "Gloria" and "I Will Follow"? "The Fly," from Achtung, Baby, was also omitted. And, as with the CD release of the same material, both Pop and Zooropa are completely ignored. Why? "Numb" is a very humorous video, and how could U2 choose to forget their Village People romp called "Discotheque"? (Very easily, I guess!)

So, this compilation is by no means all-inclusive, but as a sampling of U2's best images and music, it's hard to complain too much."

Elevated

Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 12/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The past year, there have been numerous hits records that really have delivered where they could've been with more, and others that just sadly missed the mark. That has also been said with music video DVD's. Although when there happens to really be a best of on DVD, it is just a lot easier to see more of what is available that fans just want. That can be said with U2 as well. They've been in the game for over 26 years, and the songs and the appeal they've continued to bring out has been so unreal, it just keeps coming. Also, with Bono recently adding honorary knighthood to his list, he has helped the group continue to be unstoppable. Now, the group has another music video DVD out that brings their essence.

U218 Videos, is a music video DVD consisting of U2's biggest videos. The collection is in regards to their third hits collection, U218 Singles. The DVD showcases the group and what has made them the entity of rock music today. The videos here have all been restored, and include a lot of great videos. The compilation includes great songs like One, With Or Without You, the Grammy-winning music video Vertigo, the somber Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own which won Song Of The Year at the 2006 Grammys, Pride (In The Name Of Love), Stuck In A Moment That You Can't Get Out Of, and many more videos. The disc also includes their latest video The Saints Are Coming with Green Day. There are also alternative editions of videos of One, Vertigo and many more. There is one disadvantage though with the DVD. I just wish that other great U2 videos could've been shown here like Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me from Batman Forever, the elequent Original Of The Species, and All Because Of You could've been highlighted here on the DVD too.

Despite some extra videos that could've been added, U218 Videos by U2 is a great re-introduction to a fantastic band that is still ticking today. I definitely recommend this for not just die hard fans of U2, but for anybody who doesn't own a music video DVD at all. This still shows that there is so much elevation that hasn't stopped, and keeps the band going up and up farther in the world, and that is one thing to keep in vertigo.

Videos: B 1/2+

Price: B 1/2-

Extras: B 1/2-

Remastering: A-

Overall: B"