Pearl Jam Twenty

Name: Pearl Jam Twenty
Genre: Music, Documentary
Released: September 20, 2011
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 59

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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Pearl Jam Twenty

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Movie Details & Credits

Abramorama | Release Date: September 20, 2011 | Not Rated

Summary: Pearl Jam Twenty chronicles the years leading up to the band’s formation, the chaos that ensued soon-after their rise to megastardom, their step back from center stage, and the creation of a trusted circle that would surround them—giving way to a work culture that would sustain them. Told in big themes and bold colors with blisteringPearl Jam Twenty chronicles the years leading up to the band’s formation, the chaos that ensued soon-after their rise to megastardom, their step back from center stage, and the creation of a trusted circle that would surround them—giving way to a work culture that would sustain them. Told in big themes and bold colors with blistering sound, the film is carved from over 1200 hours of rarely-seen and never-before seen footage spanning the band’s career. Pearl Jam twenty is the definitive portrait of Pearl Jam: part concert film, part intimate insider –hang, part testimonial to the power of music and uncompromising artists. (Vinyl Films)… Expand

Director: Cameron Crowe

Genre(s): Music, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 109 min

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Critic Reviews

Steven Rea

Sep 22, 2011

A must-see for Pearl Jam fans - and for folks keen on gleaning insights into the pressures that come with megastardom. Read full review

Noel Murray

Sep 21, 2011

What makes Pearl Jam Twenty a little better than the average fan-friendly documentary is that Crowe focuses on the more significant parts of the Pearl Jam story: not how the group wrote "Alive," but how it's struggled with maintaining artistic credibility while selling millions. Read full review

Guy Dixon

Sep 22, 2011

Even those more neutral about Pearl Jam will find it impossible not to enjoy director Cameron Crowe's driving retrospective of the band's stage-diving 20 years, at least on some level. Read full review

Nick Schager

Sep 20, 2011

Wholly uninterested in puffing up his subjects into an iconic rock outfit on a par with their idols Led Zeppelin and the Who, Crowe instead merely tells their story free from the constraints of rise-fall-rise clichés. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Sep 23, 2011

It's a shame that, after nearly 40 years of writing about rock, Cameron Crowe is receptive to the clichés of the genre. Read full review

Joshua Rothkopf

Sep 20, 2011

The effort - by Vedder & Co., as well as Crowe - is heroic, if not quite persuasive. Legends aren't made of longevity alone, and while you wouldn't wish Kurt Cobain's pain on anyone, you can't help but feel this band survived well past its meaning. Read full review

Rob Nelson

Sep 17, 2011

Finding a pulse only in the band's late-reel performance of "Alive," a lusty passage that would've begun a pic intent on making a case for the group's greatness, "Twenty" simply counts the years from 1991 via sludgy backstage and onstage footage whose rarity can't forgive its inclusion. Crowe's critic mentor, the late Lester Bangs, would cringe. Read full review

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User Reviews

fve

Aug 12, 2013

Esta es un gran documental, acerca mucho al lado humado de la banda, permite conocer cada detalle de la larga vida de este grupo que ha sobrevivido al cambio generacional y a la comercialización abrupta de nuevos talentos y música de moda.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

rinachandayo

Sep 21, 2011

This movie was a great film, I absolutely loved it. As a Pearl Jam fan, I think Cameron Crowe did an excellent job portraying the band. There were a lot of rare footage on there and he covered everything from the beginning of Mother Love Bone until now. I had shivers throughout the movieThis movie was a great film, I absolutely loved it. As a Pearl Jam fan, I think Cameron Crowe did an excellent job portraying the band. There were a lot of rare footage on there and he covered everything from the beginning of Mother Love Bone until now. I had shivers throughout the movie he chose some great performances to show. If you were a fan way back in the beginning but lost your touch with PJ, watch this movie and feelings will return.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

lionthunder

Sep 20, 2011

This movie was absolutely fantastic. The best music documentary I've seen if not THE best documentary I've ever seen. Crowe did an amazing job of chronicling the band's success and explaining their motives and the way they see the fans, touring, album making, and music. It was a touching,This movie was absolutely fantastic. The best music documentary I've seen if not THE best documentary I've ever seen. Crowe did an amazing job of chronicling the band's success and explaining their motives and the way they see the fans, touring, album making, and music. It was a touching, sometimes shocking, emotional experience that barely let up any moment in entertainment and intrigue. I can't think of one thing wrong with it. If you're a fan, you'll be in awe. If you're not a fan, you'll be in love again. See it. You won't regret it.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

gilldawe

Jun 16, 2014

I came into this film only knowing a couple of songs by Pearl Jam and now 3 years later they are definitely in my top 5 favourite bands of all time. I've seen the film probably 5 or more times now and its just so well done. Cameron Crowe was the perfect man for the job, and he did such aI came into this film only knowing a couple of songs by Pearl Jam and now 3 years later they are definitely in my top 5 favourite bands of all time. I've seen the film probably 5 or more times now and its just so well done. Cameron Crowe was the perfect man for the job, and he did such a great job of creating such an interesting and compelling story over the span of 20 years. Granted, most of the film focused on the first year, that never bothered me. Definitely my favourite music-related documentary, and probably one of my favourite documentaries in general. I can definitely thank this documentary for truly introducing me to one of my favourite bands.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

whit

Oct 24, 2011

Pay no attention to the mixed reaction in the metascore-- if you like Pearl Jam then you'll like this doc. If you don't like Pearl Jam, then I'd imagine it would be a bit dull. It's got some great archive footage, a compelling arc, and of course a great soundtrack.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

wetwebwork

Jan 7, 2012

I never really got into Pearl Jam, and other than a couple of hits their career pretty much passed me by, but this is compulsive viewing. A combination of interviews and captured footage make this a great documentary. Can't say I'm a fan of the band as a result, but they seem a nice enoughI never really got into Pearl Jam, and other than a couple of hits their career pretty much passed me by, but this is compulsive viewing. A combination of interviews and captured footage make this a great documentary. Can't say I'm a fan of the band as a result, but they seem a nice enough bunch who have handled fame and fortune better than some in the industry. Worth watching by anyone with the slightest interest in rock.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

j30

Jan 12, 2012

I really enjoyed this film, like I do with most of Cameron Crowe's I'm surprised by the mixed feedback from critics. I'm a fan of Pearl Jam without really knowing who they are (like I'd imagine most people are, besides the die-hard fans). Even I had heard about some of the topics brought upI really enjoyed this film, like I do with most of Cameron Crowe's I'm surprised by the mixed feedback from critics. I'm a fan of Pearl Jam without really knowing who they are (like I'd imagine most people are, besides the die-hard fans). Even I had heard about some of the topics brought up in the movie (Denmark and Ticketmaster), the film had this kind of introspective point of view that made the movie both compelling and inspiring.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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