The Film (4/5)

    Gimme Danger is a film made about The Stooges by director Jim Jarmusch. Basically it is a film about a band I love by a director who ranks among my favorite filmmakers.  The film which is essentially a "talking head" documentary , and features the main players of the Stooges in both new and archival footage Iggy Pop (Jim Osterberg), Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton, James Williamson, Mike Watt, and Kathy Asheton.

   If you know anything about the history of the band Jarmusch's documentary won't offer any new insight. It does, however, offer the main players behind the group talking about all things Stooges, and honestly that is not a bad way to kill 2 hours, even if it is all too familiar at this point.

   The story is told early on from the perspective of Iggy Pop his growing up in a Michigan trailer, joining bands like the Iguanas and eventually starting the Stooges. The primary narrative thrust documents the bands years between 1967 and 1974 from their founding to their initial dissolution. After that we go into a minor segue about the band member's post-Stooges projects, before discussing their reunion in the 2000's due to a project undertaken by Mike Watt of the Minutemen, J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., and Ron Asheton, and takes the band to their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

   The film as stated isn't in depth, but if viewers are new to the band, they might get something out of the "Gimme Danger" experience. Outside of that it is always great to hear Iggy and crew talk about the Stooges. The animated sequences are a lot of fun, and the live footage (what there is), is a blast.

Audio/Video (3.5/5)

    Sony made the odd choice to release Gimme Danger ONLY on DVD. The release is 1:78:1 anamorphic widescreen. Everything looks good as far as the new footage by Jarmusch is concerned.

   Audio is presented with a 5.1 Dolby Digital mix in English. Everything sounds good from the documentary sounds bites to archival footage, and Stooges music.

Extras (0/5)

Nothing.

Overall

   The lack of depth is sure to displease long time Stooge fans, but it is a fun and entertaining watch. The DVD (sigh) looks and sounds fine, but lacks extras. RECOMMENDED.