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Fade to Black
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 20 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Documentary | Musical
Written by:
Directed by:
Patrick Paulson
Michael John Warren
Release Date:
Theatrical: November 5, 2004
DVD: April 5, 2005
Running Time: 106 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: R for pervasive language including sexual lyrics
Starring Jay-Z, Beyoncé Knowles, Foxy Brown, Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott, Mary J. Blige, Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs, Damon Dash, and R. Kelly
Fade to Black chronicles the once-in-a-lifetime concert event of Jay-Z's performance at Madison Square Garden in November 2003. The film is an intimate look at Jay-Z, revealing the multiple Grammy Award winning artist as never before. (Paramount Classics)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database View The Trailer Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Washington Post Richard Harrington
A spectacular concert documentary that also gives some fascinating insights into the making of "The Black Album."
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
The man has the right to retire, but what will he do with all the words in his head?
Read Full Review >The New York Times Ned Martel
Even if the film could use some trimming, its hip-hop splendor proves hype-worthy.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Wesley Morris
The film elects a storytelling manner that's scarily similar to the beginning of a lot of hip-hop thrillers.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Allison Benedikt
Whether a legend was born (or retired) that night at the Garden remains to be seen, but even on film, it was one killer show.
Read Full Review >Miami Herald Evelyn McDonnell
He'll be back; he's already back. But that doesn't mean the ''farewell'' wasn't worth it.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Carrie Rickey
It mostly is a triumph of stagecraft and speaker-blowing freestyling.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Laura Sinagra
The film has a feel similar to his songs--airtight, forthright, never spat till they're set.
Read Full Review >Variety Phil Gallo
Smartly directed by Pat Paulson and Michael John Warren and nicely lensed.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin
Beyond offering a valuable look at Jay-Z's creative process, the behind-the-scenes material complements the concert footage, showing the work that allows Jay-Z to entertain tens of thousands of fans live.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Robert Dominguez
A loving tribute to one of the most important figures in hip hop. From Jay-Z to himself.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Peter Margasak
Expect nothing but pure showbiz and you won't be disappointed.
Read Full Review >Dallas Observer Robert Wilonsky
This Jay-Z documentary is too much of a good thing, really.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
It's clear early on, however, that this is standard concert-film fare geared to the faithful.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Joshunda Sanders
No new moment in here for rap fans or anyone else.
Read Full Review >The Hollywood Reporter Frank Scheck
The film doesn't manage to achieve for hip-hop what the great rock concert films of the past have done for their musical genre.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Maitland McDonagh
While billed as "an intimate look" at Jay-Z, the film reveals next to nothing about him beyond the fact that he possesses a formidable ability to spin and remember lengthy rhymes, however vulgar and reductive their content.
Read Full Review >The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Leah McLaren
It's the perfect sort of movie to have playing on a television in the corner of a rec room during a low-key beer and pizza party.
Read Full Review >New York Post Lou Lumenick
This masturbatory exercise is the least revealing "documentary" since Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedian."
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Kevin D. gave it a10:
Absolutely well-put together as well as a blazingly entertaining, yet poignant documentary. And for you critics, if Dr. Todd Boyd likes, then you should too. A 10. I love this film.
Matthew L. gave it a9:
Y'all are crazy. This movie was really good. It highlighted Jay-Z's last days as an artist in his career, and it was quite touching really. Not as funny or good as The Block Party, but still a gem. Jay-Z shows that even at his age, that he's still the best in the hip-hop industry.
