The Ricky Martin Video Collection (1999)

Ricky Martin's bravura, swivel-hipped performance of "The Cup of Life" at the 41st annual Grammy Awards handily stole the spotlight from the evening's platinum-edged superstars, positioning him as poster boy for a Latin pop crossover boom that dominated media for months to follow. Like most "overnight" sensations (or, for that matter, "brand new" pop trends), Martin's impact was actually the payoff for an extended apprenticeship: anything but a novice, this Puerto Rican native was already a major star in the Spanish-speaking pop realm, having graduated from his early stint as a plump-cheeked member of Menudo to become a sleek heartthrob.

With his chiseled features, flashing smile, and sinuous physical presence, Martin can't be blamed for playing to his female fans, and these video clips do just that. The sequence for Martin's breakout English hit, "Livin' La Vida Loca" (also included in a Spanish version) offers a template of sorts: footage of Martin performing the song in a nightclub setting is interspersed with location shots of the singer and the siren he's singing about, stitched together with rapid cuts and swirling camera movement that echo the percolating rhythms. Elsewhere, on "She's All I Ever Had," Martin downshifts to the role of earnest balladeer. The objects of his affection are typically drop-dead gorgeous (and, in one instance, teasingly undraped), and the undercurrent of sex approximates the sort of glossy perfection you'd expect from lingerie or perfume ads.

The cover-boy route is probably inevitable for Martin, but his vitality is hard to dismiss, especially during the final song--the same live Grammy performance that put him on global pop radar. That joyous appearance confirms that Martin doesn't need supermodel costars or retakes to heat things up. --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com

the effervescent Ricky

Ricky Martin's greatest talent is his effervescent showmanship, which he pours out to his audience with all his heart; I'd like to see a camera set in front of him, and just let him "do his thing", without the fancy camera shots, the endless edits, and the plethora of writhing babes that occupy most of the screen time. The video of "La Vida Loca" is the worst offender for this, which if you totaled up the time Ricky was on screen, it would probably be a lot less than what the wiggling dames get.
I also prefer him singing Spanish, and luckily we get 6 videos in Spanish in this collection. Total running time is 40 minutes.

The videos are:
"Livin' La Vida Loca" (English), Ricky's super hit.
"She's All I Ever Had" (English), this ballad has some nice special effects, with a dramatic, changing sky.
"La Bomba" (Spanish), this is probably the best track musically, and by far my favorite track in this collection. It's got a terrific rhythm, piano and brass arrangement, and it's Ricky at his very best.
"Perdido Sin Ti" (Spanish), a ballad with terrific b&w imagery, taken right out of Wim Wenders' film "Wings of Desire".
"Livin' La Vida Loca" (Spanish)
"Vuelve" (Spanish), filmed in what must be a Frank Lloyd Wright house, the architecture is fabulous, and the beauty of this ballad is that it's 100% Ricky, no babes.
"Maria" (Spanish), this is a fun, up-beat video, with Ricky looking young and very cute, filmed in what looks like Barcelona.
"Bella" (Spanish), the Spanish version of "She's All I Ever Had".
"The Cup of Life" (English), Ricky wows them at the Grammys. this is the live performance of the official 1998 World Cup song.
November 17, 2004

Great quality

Nice collection of Ricky's recent-ish/popular videos! The visual and audio sound quality is excellent. My only complaint is that I wish there were MORE videos on this disc (I felt it was a little short). However, if you are a long-time Ricky fan like me, you will enjoy. June 8, 2003

fresh angularity

these performances document the fresh angularity of movement and originality in reality art that ricky brings to the otherwise world of ordinary pop offerings.the spanish world has enjoyed his many hits for years and the english market should always take notice of better product, May 18, 2003

THE CRAZIEST MOST WONDERFUL MAN IN THE WORLD

I was so amazed to see this hunk move in front of me. It was the closest and most intimate time that I have ever spent with Ricky. I am sure that any Ricky fan or non Ricky fan will enjoy.

This is #1. BUY IT March 30, 2001

The first dvd a fan really must have...

Well, what I can say about this video is that is fantastic. You really feel great when watchin' this video you will never get tired of watching the whole day 'cause it contains the very best videos of this boricua who is my hero. I think he's the hero of all the people who are really proud of being latins. Let me say that is you really wanna dance or cry just watch this dvd. inside of it you will have "livin' la vida loca"( for dancing.), you'll have "vuelve" (for crying.)so get it now! I am the biggest fan of ricky here in Lima, Peru so believe me ! i'm telling you the truth! May 16, 2000

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