Review of Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982) by F J — 23 Oct 2009

4 out of 5.

We don?t need no education, instead listen to Pink Floyd. The Wall is one of my favorite albums of all time by one of my favorite bands, and fans of them must thank God for this movie being made. This film is the ultimate tribute to Pink Floyd fans, more specifically fans of The Wall.

The Wall is a film directed by Alan Parker (director of [the original] Fame, and Midnight Express) and written by Roger Waters, singer, songwriter, and bassist for Pink Floyd. Roger Waters wrote The Wall, except for the chorus in Comfortably Numb (one of my 3 favorite off the album). But if you have not listened to The Wall many times before viewing this film you may be lost and may, and most likely, will not enjoy the film.

It is about a trouble rock star named Pink and his decent into craziness. He goes deeper and deeper into isolation from the world by creating a social barer around him, like a wall. He does this because of certain events of his life, never knowing his father, the over protection of his mother, the cruel teachers, and being a rock star, they are all just brinks in the wall.

The film has very little dialogue, or if there is any you can?t hear it because of the music. The film really is the album with visuals to help guide you through the story, all the music is straight off the album except for In The Flesh?, and In The Flesh (two different songs) they are sang by the star of the film Bob Geldof, singer of The Boomtown Rats. That was actually the most disappointing part for me, because at the time, In The Flesh? was my favorite song by Pink Floyd and I felt he ruined it.

The direction of the film was absolutely crazy, easiest word to describe the film in general also. Alan parker blends stifling images, amazing animation, and controversial scenes along with the brilliant music of Pink Floyd to make the ultimate rock opera. The film depicts at the core of Pink and tells a non-linear story of how he broke off from society. Though I thought the direction was brilliant on every level Alan Parker was very unpleased. He even said, ?It?s the most expensive student film ever made.? which in all honesty is storta true.

The acting was really done by Bob Geldof only. He didn?t have any lines but his facial expressions and the emotion he packs make him Grade A.

The story was written by Roger Waters and he does a fantastic job of telling us the story. Some may be confused as to what is going on because at times it is unclear, which is one reason to listen to the wall before seeing it,, because then you can get the basic idea. I like the way it jumps around and how each scene really tells the story in the way it was meant to be told.

All in all this was a great movie. My only problems were the fact Bob Geldof sang both In The Flesh?, and In The Flesh (I know that?s a bad reason to give it a point off but I love Pink Floyd) and at times it felt really long. By the end I felt I had just watched a 4 hour movie. This film is nothing like Tommy, a movie version of The Who album because at times there is no music, and the songs came from the album, except the ones I noted. I say if you like Floyd or are in a movie class or studying film then see The Wall.