Enigma - Seven Lives Many Faces Details

Could Michael not afford a videographer?

Now don't get me wrong - I like Enigma. I have all 7 albums and enjoy the music tremendously. I have a great deal of respect for Michael Cretu's work. So I'm not bashing the music OK? This is purely a review of the DVD visuals & extras, its not a music review. I'd previously bought one Enigma DVD - 'Remember the Future', which I thought was great - the images really fit the music which was taken from the first 4 albums. So I had high expectations from this DVD. And boy, what a disappointment it turned out to be. It's only 47 minutes long with very few extras (but to some extent that is to be expected as it is the music just from the one album). The problem is this, 85% of what is on the DVD is re-hashed video from an earlier DVD release 'Remember the Future'. Run through differing filters/effects and re-cut in order to look different, but its the same video interspersed with cuttings from the edit suite floor that weren't included in 'Remember the Future'. There are a few seconds of new live video (the waves washing on the shore at the start for example), and a couple of CGI scenes (the one with flames is quite nice), but the video for 'Hell's Heaven' looks like it was done on with a 90's PC screensaver. I don't know if he just couldn't be bothered or couldn't afford to shoot some new video (doubtful), but this superb album has been sorely let down by this re-hashed DVD. If you haven't seen 'Remember the Future' then you may enjoy this DVD, but even then the images which fitted so well with the songs from his first 4 albums seem tacked on at random to the songs here. If you have seen 'Remember the Future' then don't waste your time with this - it will only frustrate and annoy you. In conclusion, great music, go buy the album, but don't waste your time or money by renting or buying this.