The BeyoncA© Experience - Live! (2007)

Though Beyonce Knowles has earned fame as an actress and a spokesmodel, she is first and foremost a singer, as she showcases in the entertaining concert film The Beyonce Experience Live. Polished, effortlessly glamorous, and a strong showman, Knowles is the Diana Ross of the 21st century. The singer-songwriter is equally comfortable belting out a rocking dancing number or crooning a heart-wrenching ballad. Though she shares the stage at times with her boyfriend Jay-Z and her bandmates in Destiny's Child, The Beyonce Experience Live makes it clear that she really is a one-woman act. The packaging on the DVD asks, "Are you ready to be entertained?" The answer better be yes, because Knowles gives it her all. Singing, dancing, joking around, costume changes--it's all there. And Knowles is the type of likable performer who makes viewers feel that even though she may be more talented (and prettier) than the rest of us, she's really just one of the girls. Then, too, you've got to love a gal who celebrates a woman's right to gain a few pounds (aka "jelly") in the infectiously catchy hit "Bootylicious." The film does a good job of including various phases of her musical career, from a defiant rendition (with Destiny's Child) of "Survivor," to a funky duet with Jay-Z on "Upgrade U," to a tongue-in-cheek rendition of "Check on It" (from the soundtrack of Pink Panther). While Jennifer Hudson completely overpowered her in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls, Knowles has a pleasant voice well suited for R&B-tinged pop. She paces her set well and doesn't overextend herself to the point where she has to rely on audio tracks to supplement her vocals. Many tour films fail in capturing the excitement of a live concert experience. The Beyonce Experience Live is about as good as you can get to seeing Knowles live, but without having to buy a ticket. --Jae-Ha Kim Amazon.com

A Great Experience

Since Beyonce went solo, I have been very disappointed in her. Not that I have a problem with her going solo. She just have not lived up to the hype surrounding her...until now! This DVD concert is the first project that lives up to her "legend-in-waiting" status.

This concert was great. Beyonce sings and dance her heart out in every number. Don't expect too many surprises though, because this DVD is basically an upgrade from her "Beyonce - Live at Wembley". She took the concepts of her first solo DVD and Destiny's Child farewell Atlanta DVD and upgraded the performances a level or two. That's not a bad thing, but I expected to see a little more from her.

I have only two real complaints: There is no bonus footage (behind the scenes footage, interview, or bonus track). In this day and time, you expect more from an artist and I think Beyonce short-changed us on the extra stuff. Its no wonder Christina Aguilera's DVD is doing better than Beyonce's (despite costing more).

The other complaint I have is the video is stretched. Why? To make her appear thinner? It didn't work because even though Beyonce is beautiful, you can tell she was heavier than her last tour. I just find it tacky that they tried to cover that up by stretching the video.

Either way, I enjoyed the concert and I think you will too. June 6, 2008

I was very entertained

I went to the concert in Chicago and purchased the DVD I wasn't disappointed and the price was right. It was the first concert I ever been to and the first DVD concert ever purchased. GRRRRRReat June 4, 2008

It's a really good experience

I always love Beyonce shows, but this is a really good one...
I recommend to buy this product, the show has everything you can expect from Beyonce... dancers, lights, magnificent sound, etc. May 12, 2008

The Beyonce Experience - Live!

Compared to performances by Mariah Carey, Kylie Mingoue and Mary J Blidge I have to say that the performance and the video with Beyonce wasn't up to my expectations. April 6, 2008

A Very Entertaining Show!

To make things clear right off the bat--This is a ladies show made by the ladies for the ladies! All the performers, with the exception of 4 male dancers, were female, and the 4 that weren't female definitely catered to the female audience!

Now on to the Best Parts:

*This show began with a bang! Beyonce popped out of the stage floor with a glamorous gown tightly fitted over her curvaceous body. Midway into her singing, prancing, and booty bouncing through her hit "Crazy in Love" she snaps the tail of her dress to reveal a dress more fitting for the "uh oh" dance. Then she meshes in the mega hit "CRAZY" by Gnarls Barkley, and heads on straight to her crazy adlibs.
*For Freakum Dress Beyonce added a lil stylish soul and aggressive rock to the pop number, creating a really sexy combination!
*On Me Myself and I Beyonce sings a more soulful, smoky, and heartfelt version of her 2003 hit "Me Myself and I", making this my personal fave of the night.
*On Dangerously in Love Beyonce smoothly mixes in a lovely melody by Jill Scott, the Underground hit "He Loves Me". Although this was no comparison to Jill's booming yet more masterfully skilled vocals that i had heard just the previous summer at the Suger Water Fest, Beyonce did her thing and gave a pleasing performance.
*Another highlight was Beyonce's performance of Upgrade U, her current urban hit with hubby Jay Z, who unfortunately didn't show up at my concert, but laid down a tight verse on the DVD version.
*The Destiny's Child Medley: Smooth. Really shines even without the other DC members. Really cute performance of "Soldier".

However this DVD does have some downsides:

*some songs were shortened so much that they were ending just as I was getting into the groove
*Beautiful Liar (performed WITHOUT the queen of hipshaking Shakira) and Dreamgirls were really boring and have no purpose for being on the DVD.
how i regret not going to the bathroom during these time-wasting spots.
*no extra features on the DVD,
but special features usually suck anyways, and its absence doesn't really hinder the overall captivating and energetic essence of the show
*Suga Mama was a real let down for those who deemed this their fave song from Beyonce as I did. Most of this amazing song was lip-synched as Beyonce took a whiff of a cigarette and stripper-danced around a pole throughout the first and second verses of the wonderfully candy-laced song(which you really can't see from where I was at the 80th row). It wasn't until the bridge that beyonce began to sing (and believe me you can tell the difference). Although she added some crazy adlibs at the end, I just wasn't satisfied. Frankly, I was expecting the same exciting energy-filled, hormone-induced performance she gave for "Work It Out" in her less than stellar Dangerously in Love Tour.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this concert and the DVD; from its live band instrumentation to live backing singers with their powerful voices and great harmonizing skills (a grade or two up from the way beyonce's former group members, Kelly & Michelle, would just stand around and lip-synch the chorus as shown in their guest appearance during "Survivor").

I was certainly entertained by the sexy male dancers, the shiny, fashionable, gowns (in silver, my favorite color!), Beyonce's excellent stage presence, eye-catching choreography, as well as her energetic and estrogen filled performance. I especially enjoyed the female empowering theme present throughout the whole show! Nonetheless, men will enjoy the sexy ladies on stage, from Beyonce, to her stunning dancers, and be enraptured by the power of catchy beats combined with glitter and extensively polished yet at times soulful vocals. Despite its few let downs, it is compensated for by its many benefits and cheap price, making it a wonderful as a gift or an addition to your own DVD collection. 4.5 Stars. April 5, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...