Intensity lights U2: Rattle and Hum
by Jim Heald
OnCenter staff writer

 Since the ë60s music and politics have blended together, challenging its audience to take a stand on certain issues facing society. This tradition continues into the ë80ís with the Irish rock band U2 on the front line.

 Their movie, U2: Rattle and Hum, shows them in this light.

 Filmed mostly in black and white, we tavel with the band from recording sessions at Point Depot Studio in Dublin, Ireland to Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee and to concert halls in Denver, Colorado, San Francisco, California, and Tempe, Arizona.

 Stealing the song ìHelter Skelterî back from Charles Manson, the movie picks up, showing that this band can rock and roll. At other times their music has an intensity that can be sensed, slowly builing up to a cresendo that can put the viewer on the edge of their seat. The performances of ìWith or Without Youî and ìExitî are gand examples of this quiet intensity.

 The camera work and editing for this film give a new dimension to their music. Using red lenses on the spot lights and the on-stage camera angles, ìBullet the Blue Skyî is given the look of a Hellish discotheque. One can picture an A-37 Dragonfly dropping its napalm or cluster bombs and silhouetted bodies being dismembered in a brief flash of yellow and red light.

 The politics of this group are their main calling. Paul ìBonoî Hewson speaks out about Irish-Americans who talk of the ìglory of the revolution.î In a roundabout way his question seems to be, ìWhere is the glory in fighting for the people when the people you are fighting for are the ones being killing?î

 ìSunday, Bloody Sundayî addresses the Irish Republican Army and the general situation in Northern Ireland, while ìSilver and Goldî addresses apartheid and the feelings of the oppressed peoples of South Africa.

 In tribute to the Civil Rights Movement of the ë60ís, the songs ìPride (in the Name of Love)î and ìMLKî were featured. ìPrideî goes into detail of Martin Luther Kinís assassination and ìMLKî is a prayer that his dream will survive.

 Most fans of U2 could be disappointed that the movie is not long enough. Others will be disappointed that a favorite song was not included. But be of good cheer... this is an exciting film that hs the group opening up to their fans. It should not be missed.