It Might Get Loud (2008)

Featuring: Jimmy Page, The Edge, Jack White
Director: Davis Guggenheim

Warning: This documentary will only be available for streaming until April 8th so act fast!

The electric guitar is the defining instrument of the last hundred years. The lore behind, and love of the electric guitar has changed the world for the better. There isn't a person in the world that hasn't nodded their head to a song featuring it at least once. The love for the instrument has given us some incredible virtuosos that have given legendary performances.

The documentary It Might Get Loud, pays homage to the electrified ax. It gathers three guitarists, Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin, The Edge from U2, and Jack White from the White Stripes into the same room to basically talk shop. If you aren't a big music fan I can tell you right now you won't appreciate this documentary. If you are, however, you'll probably find it interesting, as I did, to listen to bona fide rock stars talk about their creative process.

The real treat was when they all started jamming though. When Jimmy Page ripped into Whole Lotta Love the look on Edge and White's face was akin to seeing a kid in a candy store. You could see the awe in their eyes from getting to play with one of their obvious heroes.

The coolness of that moment kind of illustrated what I didn't like about this documentary though. While The Edge and Jack White are good guitarists and innovative in their own right, their contributions to the history of music pale in comparison to those of Jimmy Page. Plus, even in his late 60's he's still technically proficient enough to run circles around the both of them. I like Edge and White and they were interesting enough in this documentary but I would have much rather have seen living legends like B.B. King take their place.

I get that selecting The Edge and White was a commercially smart idea for this documentary but I would have liked to have seen some guitarists that can go note for note with Page instead of a couple of admirers. My personal gripes aside, it was still great to see Page play and the other two had some interesting stories to tell as well.

To add this movie to your Netflix queue click here.

According to instantwatcher.com this movie will be streaming on Netflix until 4/6/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Jimmy Page is a Rock God.

Is it artsy? No, but it outlines the creative process for a few artists.

What stood out the most to you? Jimmy Page ripping into Whole Lotta Love.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? Ready to hear some guitarists talk shop and jam a bit.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 3 Stars. 

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