It Might Get Loud, director Davis Guggenheim's convergence and methodic dissection of three iconic guitar virtuosos from different generations - Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Edge of U2 and Jack White of The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather - is a music film unlike any you've seen, and an absolute mandate for any musician or music fan who's been touched by the sounds of any of the three men involved.
We're allowed unprecedented intimate access to the creative process of each guitarist as they describe their own musical development and source of innovation. The film digs beneath the veneer of their star personas to get to the meat of humanity that spawned such incredible music virtuosity.
Check out a clip from the film, where Jimmy Page breaks down his technique behind "Whole Lotta Love" as White and the Edge look on in awe:
A very nostalgic Page allows the film crew to accompany him on his visit the stone halls of Headley Grange where "When The Levee Breaks" was composed, telling stories of Led Zeppelin's glory days along the way; we head to Dublin with The Edge and watch as he pulls out the original four-track rehearsals of "Where the Streets Have No Name," allowing us a rare look into the rough edges of one of the biggest bands on Earth. At his home in Tennessee, White describes being inspired by the raw style of bluesman Son House before writing a song, on camera, at the drop of a hat.
Here's a clip of Jack discussing his own Rock n Roll roots:
The trio eventually unite for a little jam session, discussing their craft while trying each other’s songs on for size. Several songs were recorded at the time, which will likely serve as extras on the DVD when it’s released.
Each musician, a self-taught beacon of influence and inspiration to legions of fans, bares himself in ways rarely seen on film in today's meticulously-conceived arena of image control and manufactured mystique. If you're a fan of any of them, a fan of musical passion or if you simply want to enjoy the hell out of a great movie about three incredible legends coming together, you absolutely must see It Might Get Loud.
CraveOnline's Rating: 9 out of 10
