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Kiss - Symphony: The DVD Actor: Kiss Number of Items: 2 Format: Color Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 180 minutes Studio: Bmg Distribution (VI Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-09-09 Buy from Amazon

Customer Reviews: Total numer of reviews: 88 Average rating: 3.5 "You wanted the best, but you got the worst...editing..." I've read many of the other reviews of this DVD here and I have to agree about the editing. It's horrid. If you've ever seen the "Shout It Out Loud" video from YOU WANTED THE BEST, then you'll get the idea of this entire DVD from an editing standpoint: Shot of man sticking tongue out (1 second) Shot of Tommy walking across the stage (1.5 seconds) Shot of random half-naked woman (2 seconds) Shot of Peter smiling and hitting a cymbal (1.5 seconds) Pan over entire crowd (3 seconds) Shot of singing half-naked woman (1.5 seconds) Shot of Paul shaking his butt (1.5 seconds) Shot of half-naked woman sticking her tongue out (2 seconds) Ad nauseum. However, the music as presented here is fantastic. Sure, there's obviously some overdubbing and "fixing" going on in the vocal and music mix, but note-for-note it sounds pretty damn good. On my rather modest home theater system, the sound was great. (A little light on the bass, but very crisp sounding.) The song selection is OK. Leaning heavily on the previously-orchestrated DESTROYER, there are few surprises. However, the inclusion of "Psycho Circus" (in the electric Act 1) and "Forever" and "Shandi" (in the unplugged Act II) are welcome additions to the usually pretty predictible (by now) songlist. Tommy Thayer does an impressive job of staying true to Ace Frehley's lead breaks while not necessarily playing them note-for-note. Peter Criss, however, is the musician that surprised me the most (aside from any of the symphony members, that is.) He's really enjoying himself AND playing very well. He's not the drummer that Eric Carr was or that Eric Singer is, but he's definitely better now than when he rejoined the band in 1996. The members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra seem to be very good sports during this whole shebang and that comes through in the included rehearsal footage and the shots of them coming off the stage during the credits. They're having fun and smiling during the performance too. In fact, everyone looks to be having fun during the performance. Due to the camera being trained on every individual female in the audience for at least five complete minutes each (albeit 1 second at a time), I'm pretty sure each one enjoyed herself. The musicians certainly appear to be having fun. But since you seem to see them as often as you see certain audience members, you're certainly going to be disappointed if you want to use this video to learn how to play any KISS songs. Overall, this is a definite must buy for hardcore KISS fans. It's not something I can recommend to a casual fan because the editing is headache-inducing. Who knows? Maybe Gene intentionally allowed this DVD to look so bad so he can release the KISS Symphony Director's Cut edition next year to continue to line his wallet with KISS fan's cash. "Truly Dizzying! to Watch" This is an incredible show for sure. An overdue and welcome departure in setlist from the now overly predictable 1996-to-now shows. New here are Shandi, Great Expectations, and the return of Forever. Something that is fresh is seeing Peter singing Beth alongside a REAL live orchestra rather than singing to a tape. This show was practiced and performed with the Melbourne Orchestra in extremely tight musical fashion. All good! All good! However.... the editing, as most reviews here have agreed, is terrible. Oh the visuals and audio are superb. But the camera/editing NEVER ONCE fixes on an image long enough for you to enjoy it. It's a dizzying ride of constantly constantly constantly changing camera angles and shots. The moment you see an image you'd like to watch for a minute, it's gone!! Just like that. Next shot, next shot, next shot, next shot, and on and on and on. I needed to lie down and take an aspirin after the first viewing of the DVD. Again, the show was truly phenomenal. The arrangements and choreography were phenomenal. I do recommend buying this, but just make sure you're ready to hold your own equilibrium before you press "play". "KISS RULES!!!" Don't listen to all the moronic reveiws that are going around on Amazon. The editing is not bad. In fact it is awesome. It captures all the excitement, and thrills that a KISS concert has to offer. The sound and the power rock and for those who don't like the editing maybe you should go back to listening to your Celine Dion. That's a little slower paced for your wimpy taste. If you are a KISS lover you'll love this DVD. The fast editing is only a plus, and shows the crowd, the band, and the orchestra in full detail. Rock on... "Better than the CD" When I first heard about this idea, I hated it. I hated the CD even more when I heard it. But the music of Kiss has to be seen AND heard in order to be effective. Kiss Symphony proves to be no exception. Most of what Gene Simmoms says should be taken with a grain of salt. However, he may have had a point when he bad-mouthed Ace Freeley. In this man's opinion, the Farewell Tour often sounded horrible (I saw it three times). Now that Ace is gone, Kiss's sound has actually improved. Kiss loyalists have been upset about this fact, but I have to say that (soundwise at least) they are better off without him. Kiss symphony delivers all of the great stuff that you would expect from a Kiss show. However, there is still a very real risk that the guys may still end their careers as a washed up joke. Their shot at going our with dignity is slowly fading, maybe without their knowledge. "Just awful to watch!!!" This was a fantastic concert. One of the best I had ever been to. I was beyond myself when I heard that it was to be recorded for a DVD. I've watched it a few times now. The concert is still fantastic. The crowd is great, the orchestra are kicking and our boys are at their peak!!! I have never experienced a concert DVD that doesn't bring you into the show, make you feel like you are there. I just didn't feel connected to what I loved the most - KISS!!!! The editing is atrocious. All that hard work!!!! All that preparation - for what!! Some wino in an editing room who wanted his ego stroked. Well mate, the Kiss world would have been better without you. Your mother may be happy with your work, but I tell you, not many poeple here are. The camera men and women's pictures are beautiful, so full of colour and clear, Kiss were in top form, everything was perfect for a great DVD - except the editor loser!!! Look Mr Editor - its Kiss for God's sake, with a full on show, with 40,000+ people going crazy, with a full ORCHESTRA!!!! We don't need you to add anything to it. Its already roaring to go!!!! This so called "expert" has totally ruined what would have been the greatest rock concert DVD out there. I have over 200 DVD's most of them music concert ones. This is just sad, that one person can ruin so much hard work from so many people. It may be fine over 1 or perhaps 2 songs, but believe me when I say, you will not be able to watch this DVD in its entirity without skipping ahead or getting dizzy. Stick to the basics. I wouldn't say don't buy it, but I would say buyer beware!!