A look at Blur reunited, ‘Blur: To The End’ follows the legendary English alt-rock band as they gear up for a gig of a lifetime: Wembley Stadium.

Stream: “Blur: To The End” Official Trailer

When I heard that Blur had a new documentary out, I was immediately excited to reignite my sentimental fondness for the ’90s Britpop legends.

Similar to most other Brits, my late teenage years passed hearing “Country House” and “Song 2” blasted at raucous house parties, characterised by the smell of spilt Stella and inevitably unhappy neighbours.

However, despite Blur: To The End faithfully providing nostalgic archival footage of the boys from their early career, and possessing a brilliant soundtrack of Blur’s top hits, this doc just felt kind of flat. Instead of a reunion of an electric, charismatic band of talented friends, To The End unwittingly paints a portrait of a group of cynical, middle-aged, emotionally disconnected men with collectively dodgy knees having an existential crisis, on camera.

Don’t get me wrong, the documentary isn’t entirely a reflection on the inevitable march of death, but lead singer Damon Albarn’s conclusion, “success will mess you up far more than failure” seemed to be an overbearing theme, at least for the first three-quatres. What was disappointing, at least for me, is that Blur’s music is supposed to be synonymous with a good time, characterised by boyish charm, camaraderie and tongue-in-cheek humour.

Instead, To The End presents a workaholic Albarn, the only one with his heart really in it, rallying a dispirited and indifferent group of guys who once used to like each other. Describing Wembley, guitarist Graham Coxon summarises this feeling, complaining, “the polished concrete floor makes everything sound like shit and makes you feel bad about whatever the f* you’re playing. What a f*ing great way to reunite.”

There were, of course, many things within this doc that I liked. You couldn’t help but laugh watching a bunch of insanely talented, internationally famous musicians grumbling like grouchy old men about not being able to handle a hangover anymore. A personal favourite of mine was watching Albarn and Coxon visit their old school, and suggesting the thing the music classroom was missing was “some nice weed in a bowel,” whilst the camera pans to a shot of the headteacher’s face looking comically unimpressed. Also, whatever the dynamics between the band members, their live performances in this doc were captured beautifully, and watching Blur transform into frenetic, joyous performers magnified their staggering sound.

**The problem with To The End, is that it couldn’t quite decide on what it was.**

It was sort of a concert film of their Live At Wembley album, it was sort of a touring/recording process documentary, it was sort of an emotional band biopic. However, despite all these avenues, the doc got lost along its way trying to explore all the different themes.

What saved this doc for me, was the final twenty minutes of it. Although decidedly not a concert film (there is a concert-focused doc coming out next month), watching Blur perform at Wembley was the most moving part of the whole thing. Whilst I am definitely biased through a personal love of live music, Blur playing at Wembley was exquisitely recorded and mixed. The songs were thoughtfully chosen, the clips well edited, and the reaction of the crowd offered new life to the tired band.

Blur at Wembley Stadium, a Weekend Decades in the Making

:: LIVE REVIEW ::

So while I maintain that this is definitely a bad doc that was too long and too miserable, it does not take away from the fact that Blur are a brilliant band. Albarn and Coxon’s intriguingly tender friendship, Alex James’ reflective but humorous presence, and Dave Rowntree’s gentle good nature just about kept To The End from being completely depressing.

And, as is the objective of any good band documentary, it has certainly compelled me to make a brand-new Blur playlist, and reminds me what an intensely diverse, exuberant, and breathtaking band they are.

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