Directed by: Kevin MacDonald
Starring: Bob Marley
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributed by: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Running Time: 145 minutes
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars
If you are a fan of great films such as “Touching the Void”, “The Last King of Scotland”, then you would should know director Kevin Macdonald. He is the man behind this excellent documentary, “Marley”, which is also executive produced by Ziggy Marley and Chris Blackwell. I remember the first time that I heard my first Bob Marley song. That song was “No Woman, No Cry” and it changes the way I look at music. This documentary is very fun and very entertaining and must for all fans of Marley’s work and legacy.
The music of Bob Marley is so unique and has had such a big impact on music history. This documentary is the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend Bob Marley. It ranges from his early days through his rise to worldwide super-stardom. You can tell that this isn’t some trashy unauthorized documentary, since it is made with the support of the Marley family. The film features rare footage and performances. The interviews are really in depth and are featured from the people that knew him best.
The Blu-ray presentation is great, for a documentary. The 1080p transfer works well, even with the archive footage. The audio track shines especially with Marley’s music. The special features are just as impressive as the film. There is a great commentary track with director Kevin Macdonald and Ziggy Marley. “Around the World” focuses on the relevance of Bob Marley’s muisc today. “Children’s Memories” includes additional interviews with Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley and Cedella Marley. There are also an extended interview with Bunny Wailer. There is a cool feature called “Listening to I’m Loose”, which takes a unique look into the famous song. Lastly there is a photo gallery and theatrical trailer included.
