This was a pretty solid "music" documentary. The concert footage from MSG was nothing short of spectacular (I'm looking forward to seeing the entire show on DVD).

The dialogue between Murphy and interviewers was incredibly weak however. Murphy seemed uncomfortable with truly expressing what he was thinking, obviously he was put on the spot constantly and didn't know how to respond. I also found it humorous that he insinuated that he loves taking the subway... yet he was riding around in a town car or Escalade the entire time... child please. I used to really like Murphy but after seeing this film I totally understand why the band folded, he is incredibly egotistical. See it for the excellent concert footage, ignore Murphy rambling.

This is a documentary about James Murphy and the final concert of the LCD Soundsystem in Madison Square Garden just before the band's temporary break up. The concert excerpts are some of the best I have ever seen and heard. The camera work is particularly great - sometimes unusual perspectives are taken, not just filming the stage frontally with an occasional glance at the individual musicians. No, some cameras had been positioned in the middle of the audience or the audience was even filmed from above, plus all musicians - not just Murphy - get quite a bunch of screentime. The editing is great, too - constantly changing between the different camera perspectives, but not too hectic either. Likewise the sound mixing: the audience is always audible, but when it matters, the music is mixed into the foreground. All these qualities result in the effect that only occurs in very few concert films: you really have the feeling of being there. I had been given goose bumps quite a few times. The only thing I didn't like about it was that on the one hand you get into a party mood, but on the other - due to the many interruptions - it is slowed down again and again. Between the live footage montages of interviews, Murphy home videos, backstage and afterparty footage, etc. are shown - a concept I can relate to, but I would have appreciated if the filmmakers sometimes would have let the music speak for itself longer. It was particularly annoying when the band played "Losing My Edge": during the instrumental passages the music was mixed into the background while those snippets were played in parallel. It took away a lot of the power of the music and this was a shame. Nevertheless: a very likeable and recommendable music documentary.

I really had looked forward to this movie, being a big LCD Soundystem fan for years, but it really opened my eyes to the ego of James Murphy, who I had once thought to be one of the coolest guys making music today. Everything felt staged or scripted. The movie opens with Murphy "waking" to his phone ringing, but was there a camera man filming him all night waiting for him to wake? I don't think so. There are several other moments like this peppered throughout the film.

The interview that forms the backbone to the documentary is more cringey than anything else. Murphy's ego can't be kept in check and some of his answers make you wish he would stop talking and cut back to the farewell concert in Madison Square Garden, which is really the only thing that feels natural here. It's a fantastic, huge performance and is captured brilliantly.

Towards the end, where we see Murphy going to the store where all the band's gear is kept and breaking down and crying in an Oscar-worthy performance. Again, it all feels staged: "now for the emotional bit". I actually ended up feeling slightly sorry for the guy, crying over a few synthesizers.

They were a great band but they were only around for 9-10 years. I think the guy needs some perspective. "Shut Up and Play the Hits" is a more apt title than they probably realized.