I was really excited to see Beats from the day i seen the trailer. Having lived though the rave scene in the 1990s, especially 1994, and taking part in demo's against the criminal justice bill.
Two friends, from two very different backgrounds create a special bond and attending their first rave together.
At the start of the movie there was a tune that i recognised instantly, but i was expecting so much more. There was a huge techno scene in Scotland in 1994 and this movie failed to capture it. The movie failed to have a full soundtrack of bands such as TTF (The Time Frequency), QFX, Ultrasonic, The Rythmic State. Huge bands in 1994 and all were missing. This was a huge opportunity to grab the audience with a superb sound system in the cinemas, where the hairs on the back of you neck stand up and flood the theatre with memories and good vibes. It didn't happen. I doubt there will be a soundtrack album, which is a missed opportunity as these tunes are still popular today with the younger generation, especially in Glasgow.
At one point in the movie where they both have taken their E, we were entertained to a few minutes breaking away from the movie and having some visual effects as well as a steel factory being blown up. It was so weird. I related it to Trainspotting, where Renton goes down the toilet after the pill. Totally weird and not really relevant to the movie. This would have been acceptable if i took an E before entering the cinema. lol
As for the actors. I had never heard of any of them before viewing beats, but everyone involved can take a bow. It was an outstanding performance from them all and i can't criticise them, as i feel it was the movie and soundtrack that let me down. I'm now a fan and will be watching out for more of their work in future.
The full movie was in black and white which i though was nothing more than try to be different for no reason. Maybe they were just trying too hard. How can you create a 90's rave movie without seeing one single yellow high vis vest or a glow stick in beyond me.
Over all. I enjoyed it, but feel lack of research let it down. I feel i got my monies worth, but only just. If only tunes like Obsession, Freedom, Soap on a Rope and maybe one of many TTF anthems included would have seen most of Scotland talking about Beats over the weekend, but It's not going to happen.
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