AC/DC — No Bull: The Director's Cut

Columbia/Sony BMG

Aaron Brophy (CHARTattack)

09/15/2008 3:56pm

The start of this 1996 show from the Plaza De Toros De Las Ventas in Madrid, Spain is particularly over-the-top. Strategically placed cameras alternate from overhead views of an entirely rammed bullfighting arena to the ridiculous crane/wrecking ball/gigantic wall set-up that symbolized AC/DC's Ballbreaker tour, all in an effort to make sure you're aware that this. is. an. important. event.

Sure, the crowd was mega-hot for the band all night, and filming this set has a certain value as a time capsule, but director David Mallet's efforts to make sure everyone realizes how big, and awesome AC/DC are mostly defeat the point because everyone already knows this. If you eliminate the editing and the disproportionate amount of camera time dedicated to Angus Young's antics, all you're really left with is the music. And as far as AC/DC sets go, it leaves something to be desired.

The requisite hit-filled back half of the set is fine, if obvious ("You Shook Me All Night Long," "Whole Lotta Rosie," T.N.T.," "Let There Be Rock," "Highway To Hell," "For Those About To Rock [We Salute You]"), but an uneven first half with the overrated "Thunderstruck," the lyrically ridiculous "Hard As A Rock," the meh "Boogie Man" and the what-were-they-thinking "Hail Caesar" make for a show that's difficult to wade through, even from the comfort of your own couch.