ghost “rite here right now” review
A message from the clergy…” This cinematic concert experience is exactly what I knew it would be, and most likely what you would expect if you’re familiar with Ghost as a rock band and as storytellers. It is both an electrifying concert experience and a riveting narrative tale broken up into chapters, exactly like their YouTube Channel, using the same dark, quirky, and often awkward humor.
If you’re not aware of the band Ghost or their amazing stage shows, this is the perfect introduction. If you are aware, then you have to give Tobias Forge props for continuing his passion project because the passion is evident throughout this film. I think that is what I most appreciate about this band, aside from their success in breaking the norm and carving out a place in pop rock for Satanism. Throughout the concert, the lore of the bands origins continues and touches on the inevitable end of everything, including life itself.
Having been to a show on this tour, I knew what to expect… or did I? There were a few things added to the live stage show for the filmed version, such as back up dancers in skeleton body paint and a beautiful rendition of Pro Memoria with an operatic back up vocalist, string quartet and pianist. 95% of the film is a live recording from their last tour entitled RE-IMPERATOUR, and was filmed at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. It was both impressive and refreshing that they were able to confiscate the phones of the crowd for the event to minimize distractions and remind us how pure shows used to be before there were hundreds of digital screens blocking your view of the stage. The crowd looked… happy. They looked completely entertained and genuinely enthralled in what they were witnessing. They were in the moment, which is exactly what Tobias was trying to accomplish.
The sound and HD quality of the film was incredible. The filmmakers truly captured the essence of being at a Ghost show. The only complaint I found was that there were too many cuts between cameras. At some points, the cuts were so rapid it didn’t leave enough time to appreciate the shot before we were moving on to the next frame. The camera would sometimes cut to different angles of the same player, or on Papa himself, but having cuts every 3-5 seconds was distracting. This is very much a green thing to do in directing film.
Minor complaints about editing aside, the film is worth paying attention to. Watch closely, there are clues throughout, and ultimately we get our first glimpse at the next phase of Ghost. During the credits, you can enjoy a new song, “The Future is a Foreign Land” that is a surprise third recording from the Papa Nihil character. Come for the film, stay for the new song, and stay longer for the end-credit scene, which gives us a little clarity about where Ghost is heading next.
I’m incredibly happy I watched this 2 hour and ten minute experience. I even splurged on the themed popcorn bucket and tumbler! It’s exactly the live concert I’ve been searching for from them, and I will be buying the Blu-ray when out. I’d recommend anyone do the same in a theater if given the chance.
