Rating: Not Rated
Starring:
“Weird Al” Yankovic as Himself
Jon Schwartz as Drums
Rubén Valtierra as Keyboard
Jim West as Guitar
Phil Collins as Dancer
Chris Fedun as Dancer
Special Features:
– Music Videos for “Perform This Way” and “Polka Face”
– Extra live concert performances (“Frank’s 2000-inch TV,” “You Don’t Love Me Anymore” and “You Make Me”)
– A bunch of Al’s personal YouTube videos
– And lots of other cool junk!
Other Info:
Widescreen (1.85:1)
Dolby Digital Stereo Sound
Running Time: 86 Minutes
The Details:
The following is the official description of the film:
“‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Live! – The Alpocalypse Tour is the concert event to end all concert events and the perfect way to kill some time while waiting for the end of the world. It features all of the multi-Grammy Award-winning artist’s greatest hits, including “Perform This Way,” “White & Nerdy,” “Amish Paradise” and “Fat.” So lock the airtight door on your fallout shelter, sit back, relax and enjoy the Alpocalypse with Weird Al.
Features Jon ‘Bermuda’ Schwartz on drums, Steve Jay on bass, Jim ‘Kimo’ West on guitar and Ruben Valtierra on keyboards.”
“Weird Al” Yankovic Live! – The Alpocalypse Tour” is not rated.
Mini-Review:
In late 2010 I took my family to a Weird Al concert and we had a blast. The kids enjoyed discovering his funny songs for the first time while my wife and I enjoyed revisiting his parody hits from the ’80s and ’90s. Weird Al’s concert was one of those rare experiences that had a mix of great music, great laughs, and nostalgia all rolled into a concert that several generations can enjoy. It’s no wonder Weird Al has a strong career after so many decades.
This Blu-ray is a recording of that concert that was recently made in Toronto and cut together for a Comedy Central TV special. While the concert features many of the hits from Yankovic’s recent “Alpocalypse” album, he does take time to play some older favorites. You’ll see him perform “Smells Like Nirvana,” “Fat,” “White & Nerdy” and “Amish Paradise.” There’s also a medley featuring “Eat It,” “Beverly Hillbillies,” and his first hit “My Bologna.” What’s impressive with these performances is how Yankovic goes through so many costume changes. He dances in the fat suit from his music video during “Fat.” He dresses like Cobain in his parody of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” But one of the biggest treats is saved for the finale when he plays “Yoda” and “The Saga Begins.” Yankovic is accompanied on stage by Stormtroopers from the 501st organization as well as Darth Vader and R2-D2.
As already mentioned, songs from his “Alpocalypse” album are heavily featured. A personal favorite of mine is “CNR.” It’s a great original rock song depicting the flamboyant ’60s and ’70s star Charles Nelson Riley as a mix of Chuck Norris and The Most Interesting Man On Earth. Not only is it funny but it’s a great toe tapper, too. Al also performs his traditional polka medley entitled “Polka Face.” It has polka versions of songs by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and others. Miley Cyrus gets parodied in “Party in the CIA” while “TMZ” makes fun of the gossip show while parodying Taylor Swift’s “You Belong To Me.” But the centerpiece of his album is “Perform This Way.” It’s a parody of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and he hilariously makes fun of the pop star’s over-the-top wardrobe while dancing in a peacock costume.
The bonus features on this Blu-ray contain a few musical performances that didn’t make their way into the Comedy Central special. You get “Frank’s 2000-inch TV,” “You Don’t Love Me Anymore,” and “You Make Me.” Music videos for “Perform This Way” and “Polka Face” are also included. The first features Al’s head disturbingly attached to a dancer’s body as she wears everything from a meat dress to, well, nothing. The “Polka Face” video features a bunch of different styles of animation that make a visually engaging and funny presentation. A College Humor video showing Al as the leader of the band on the sinking Titanic is included along with some AOL humor videos. Rounding out the bonus features are a collection of Al’s YouTube videos. They show him doing everything from correcting grammar on supermarket signs to teasing a giraffe with a leaf.
Overall this is a fantastic concert video that should please die-hard “Weird Al” fans as well new fans both young and old. “Star Wars” collectors will want a copy of it for the “Yoda” and “The Saga Begins” performances alone.
