T. Rex: Born To Boogie (Special Edition)
Marc Bolan had the looks, style, and bearing of rock star, andT. Rex: Born To Boogieoffers proof positive that he was just that. But comparing yourself to the Beatles doesn't make it so, even if you get Ringo Starr to produce, direct, and appear in your movie. In terms of the things that matter, like singing, guitar playing, and songwriting, Bolan (who died in 1977) fell a ways short. Hewashugely popular for a year or two; he and his band T. Rex loved to rock, and they had some catchy, riff-based hits, like the infectious "Get it On (Bang a Gong)," performed at length here. Still, image, attitude, and lyrics like "I wanna call ya/I wanna ball ya") can only get you so far, even in the pop music world. That's not to say thatBorn To Boogieisn't good fun, especially some of the 1972 concert sequences filmed (by Ringo himself) at London's Wembley arena and a couple of studio jams with Starr and Elton John (on the other hand, the lame filler between live tunes is what happens when nagging details like a story or a script matter less than simply having a stoned good time). And what this handsomely packaged two-disc set has in spades, along with fine, painstakingly-restored sound and picture, is bonus features, including extended concert footage and a couple of good documentaries narrated by Bolan's son, Rolan. It ain't deep, but if you're looking for a good time, you've come to the right place.--Sam Graham