The Film
Music is celebrating another milestone this year. It's the 40th anniversary of The Doors album L.A. Woman. Well, technically, the milestone was last year, but in 2012, fans are getting a new song -- yes, a new song (see Extras) -- and the documentary The Doors: Mr. Mojo Risin' - The Story of L.A. Woman.
Why everyone missed the April 2011 target date is not explained here. However, that's pretty much the only thing lacking in this documentary. The 103-minute film features a detailed look at the various songs on the album, the surrounding time period, and even The Doors in general. Of course, much of what's featured revolves around the antics and expressions of leader Jim Morrison. However, it's coming from the mouths of actual band members. Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger and John Densmore are all featured alongside others that were close to the band at the time.
What makes this album so important to Doors fans, as well as music in general, is that it was the last that the band ever recorded. Of course, it's also important to note that Morrison died just a few months after the album was released, cementing its importance in rock and roll history.
The Doors: Mr. Mojo Risin' - The Story of L.A. Woman is an excellent, in-depth look at the band's swansong, from the people closest to the actual event. It's a must for fans and will certainly pique the interest of music buffs as well.
The Picture
This 1.78:1 transfer is filled with a lot of old, fuzzy footage and photographs. Some of that doesn't look too pretty in high-def, but it's to be expected. The new interviews look a lot better, with clear imagery and spot-on colors. Overall, it's a mixed bag, but still pretty nice looking for this type of release.
The Sound
Like many Eagle Rock titles, this Blu-ray defaults to the LPCM Stereo track. However, DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital 5.1 options are also available. We opted for the DTS-HD, for a bit of a fuller sound during the musical moments. Studio tracks fare much better than some of the live footage, but both are fleeting. For a movie that's about music, the music here are just blips to fill in the story. This is a documentary, so the interviews are the highlight of the film. Each one sounds wonderful, with the dialogue centered and clear throughout.
The Extras
A lot of what's featured here seems like outtakes from the film. However, the real hook is that new song by The Doors. Yes, it's hard to believe that The Doors have a new song after all of these years, but "She Smells So Nice" was released to the public, and is included in the special features. We're not sure if it was in a shoebox or the back of someone's closet, but producer Bruce Botnick discovered the lost track while working on the album's 40th anniversary remaster. In all honesty, it's not a great track, but it's a great bonus to have on this release.
Final Thoughts
The Doors have been dissected to death over the past 40 years. However, what makes The Doors: Mr. Mojo Risin' - The Story of L.A. Woman so wonderful isn't just that it revolves around the band's swansong. Everything in this documentary actually comes from the mouths of the band's surviving members, making it authentic and entertaining. It's a must-own for Doors fans and a definite rental for anyone else interested in a little rock history lesson.
Product Details
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