The creative chemistry of four brilliant artists —drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Kreiger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison— made The Doors one of America's most iconic and influential rock bands. Using footage shot between their formation in 1965 and Morrison's death in 1971, it follows the band from the corridors of UCLA's film school, where Manzarek and Morrison met, to the stages of sold-out arenas.
Seeing Morrison blithely hang a lei over the neck of an obviously giddy young woman or watching as Manzarek patiently fields questions helps humanize a group of men all too often shrouded in the mists of legend.
– Preston Jones,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Apr 2010
rotten:
[A] muddled, pretentious assemblage of film clips of the band shot between 1966 and 1971, with solemn narration by Johnny Depp.
– Stephen Holden,
New York Times,
9 Apr 2010
fresh:
The vitality of crazed angel Jim Morrison is its driving force.
– Joe Williams,
St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
6 May 2010
fresh:
Although Doors fans will drool over the prospect of the previously unseen footage, they are unlikely to find anything new here.
– Bill Goodykoontz,
Arizona Republic,
6 May 2010
fresh:
When You're Strange offers a worshipful but insightful portrait of the group...