Here’s a one-sentence review: The new film about Saturday Night Live’s five-decade history of (mostly) live musical performances kicks off with the best opening to a music-centered documentary I have ever seen.
Directed by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon bandleader and legendary DJ Questlove, with producers RadicalMedia, Ladies and Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music starts with an opening montage which plays like the coolest musical mash-up ever concocted — or one of Quest’s legendary sets behind the Wheels of Steel. Leading with a cavalcade of stars invoking the trademark, three-word introduction for musical guests — everyone from Daniel Craig to Paris Hilton is shown saying “ladies and gentlemen …” — Questlove and his producers build to a montage of performance clips, mixed so that they flow from one to the other, often sounding like multiple artists are playing together.
The Time‘s “Jerk Out” and R.E.M.‘s “Losing My Religion” occupy the same sonic space. Queen‘s “Under Pressure” vibes with Dave Matthews Band‘s “Ants Marching,” into Vanilla Ice’s rip off of Queen, “Ice Ice Baby,” through Fine Young Cannibals’ “She Drives Me Crazy,” alongside Michael Bolton’s “Love Is a Wonderful Thing.” (It really works!) Prince‘s “Partyup” and Rick James‘ “Super Freak” flow into and out of each other’s jams. Grooves by Busta Rhymes, TLC and Bobby McFerrin fit together like they stood together on the same stage, though their performances were actually years apart.
It is a powerful reminder of the grand span of powerhouse musical moments the show has hosted over 50 years and the unifying spirit that emerges when talented artists bring their “A” game to network television live — regardless of style, genre or musical era.