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Music Video Distributors presents

Blink 182: Interviews (2002)

"It isn't funny haha, it's more like look at that retarded kid who just crashed into that guy in the wheelchair funny."- Mark Hoppus

Stars: Mark Hoppus
Director: unknown

MPAA Rating: Not Rated for language
Run Time: 00h:31m:19s
Release Date: 2002-08-13
Genre: music

Style
Grade
Substance
Grade
Image Transfer
Grade
Audio Transfer
Grade
Extras
Grade
B- C+B-B- D

 

DVD Review

As anyone who has experienced the Southern California pop punk sounds of Blink 182 in concert will attest, there is no more lively stage performance to be found in music today. The threesome effortlessly breezes through their hits while exchanging dirty jokes, stories, and generally bouncing about the stage like a group of children loaded full of sugar. This ability to entertain with such energy is by itself fascinating in a world where pyrotechnics and choreography are considered the benchmark by which concerts are judged—what is more amazing is that the trio retain the energy when they exit the stage.

All of this can be seen on Blink 182: The Interviews a release that features a thirty-minute interview with bassist Mark Hoppus before the band became the pop juggernaut that they are today. There is little to be found in here that can be considered either educational or informative, as topics range from Mark’s favorite films to the contents of his CD collection, but the interview is filled with several moments of humor that help to keep things as lighthearted as possible. However, there is no denying that this is a fault as well as a blessing. For a disc that features an interview, I wanted to learn something worthwhile about the band; instead there is actually nothing more than minor anecdotes that simply go nowhere. When Hoppus brings in members from another band (The Aquabats), it is fun, but it has nothing to do with the general topic of the interview. Other moments, including a discussion of Hoppus’ favorite films, seem to drag on for too long as the interviewer throws out numerous Kevin Smith movies in an effort to stretch the topic a bit longer. Nice, but not informative.

Perhaps the worst part about Blink 182: The Interviews is the total absence of guitar player Tom Delonge, although Delonge does make a brief appearance off screen. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem, but the packaging for the disc prominently displays him at the center of the cover art.

Rating for Style: B-
Rating for Substance: C+

 

Image Transfer

 One
Aspect Ratio1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratioyes
Anamorphicno


Image Transfer Review: Presented in a full-frame image Blink 182: The Interviews offers nothing more than an adequate transfer, which is fine given the material. There is a large amount of grain present throughout; if the piece was shot on what appears to be home video, that would explain this look. Colors are muted throughout with the earthtones of the tour bus setting looking fine but never eye-popping. Overall, this is an adequate transfer with no high or low points to speak of.

Image Transfer Grade: B-
 

Audio Transfer

 LanguageRemote Access
DS 2.0Englishyes


Audio Transfer Review: Blink 182: The Interviews features a Dolby Surround track that is largely dialogue driven with no real surround or left and right speaker action throughout the piece. Dialogue sounds clear when Hoppus is speaking but at times the off camera interviewers are very difficult to make out. This becomes frustrating as often I found myself backing the disc up in order to find out exactly what the question was.

Audio Transfer Grade: B- 

Disc Extras

Static menu
Scene Access with 8 cues and remote access
Packaging: Amaray
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extras Review: Eight chapter stops as well as basic static menu pages comprise the extra features found on Blink 182: The Interviews.

Extras Grade: D
 

Final Comments

Fans may enjoy Blink 182: The Interviews, but for those who only have a mild liking of the band this interview will offer no new insights.

Kevin Clemons 2002-08-12