Post by buddyboy101 on Sept 8, 2010 14:27:39 GMT -5
DVD REVIEW: Shawn Michaels: My Journey
Purchase on Amazon
Rating: 7/10
HBK was one of my favorites growing up. No one could match his charisma, athleticism, or penchant for controversy. With “My Journey”, the WWE attempts to summarize HBK’s illustrious career over three discs. The effort is ultimately satisfying, yet nowhere near comprehensive nor exhaustive. This review will consider several aspects of the product, including the packaging, match selection, bonus features, video/audio quality, and other aspects as necessary.
The product is structured accordingly: Michael Cole interviews HBK about a certain era. This interview lasts about three to four minutes, and it usually pertains to the upcoming match featured on the DVD. Then the match is shown its entirety. Following the match, a brief “feel good” segue/promo is played where HBK is standing alone, making “inspirational” facial expressions, and a “moving” quote about HBK is read on screen. Then the next interview starts up, and so forth.
The interviews themselves are a mixed bag. They’re presented as “shoot” interviews. HBK speaks very candidly about his life, and Michael Cole keeps him on track. There are a few hiccups though. HBK occasionally will say things without explaining the full story. He leaves the viewer a bit confused by speaking in a very referential manner. HBK also comes off a bit odd – frequently making these goofy laughs and speaking incoherently. Michael Cole continues to be the biggest goober of all time. He’s painful to watch, and he’s constantly praising HBK to the point of nausea.
The biggest problem of the interviews relates to the match selection. Often Michael Cole will ask HBK about a HUGE match that is not featured on the DVD. HBK will then discuss that huge match, but the match, ironically, is not included on the DVD. For example, HBK discusses the WM24 match with Rick Flair several times. Instead of including that match, WWE has opted to include their first encounter at Bad Blood. This is inane, and is probably done as a greedy attempt to force you to purchase the WM24 DVD in addition to “My Journey.” It’s one thing if the match hadn’t been mentioned, but the irony is that the several high profile matches are discussed yet missing (e.g. vs. Bret at Survior Series 92).
Match selection overall is pretty solid. This is now HBK’s fourth DVD, so the WWE is starting to include more obscure matches. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it definitely means “My Journey” is NOT the ultimate HBK DVD. In this product, you will NOT find HBK vs. Hogan, the screwjob match, HIAC with Taker, 3 stages or HIAC with HHH, HBK vs. SCSA at WM14, nor HBK vs. Flair at WM24. To me, those are HBK’s most important matches and they are nowhere to be found. However, you will find some forgotten classics. In particular the Rockers bout with a very young Nasty Boys is a great piece of history. The match against HHH in Afghanistan is pretty unique, and the Undertaker match at WM25 is necessary viewing. Also the infamous “One Night Only” match with the Bulldog is featured. The rest of the matches are listed below.
There are no bonus features included, except for those ultra cheesy promos discussed above. There’s also a cheesy music video featuring HBK footage, but it’s unnecessary. The packaging and menus are pretty slick, but again WWE refuses to list the matches on the back. I think this wards off potential buyers.
Overall, I’m having trouble strongly recommending this DVD. Like the Undertaker’s Deadliest Matches, “My Journey” equally features HBK’s early career (late 80’s through 2000) and his recent career (2003-today). I feel his earlier career, which made him a legend, should have been featured more prominently. Having this in mind, in combination with the questionable match selection, I recommend this DVD to younger fans and absolute HBK marks. For the rest of us, I’d stick with the Vault DVD or “Heartbreak and Triumph”.
FULL MATCH LIST
Disc 1:
01. HBK vs. One Man Gang (1/11/85)
02. Midnight Rockers vs. Buddy Rose and Doug Somers (4/20/86)
03. Midnight Rockers vs. Nasty Boys (3/15/88)
04. Rockers vs. Brain Busters (3/18/89)
05. Rockers vs. Hart Foundation (11/25/89)
06. HBK vs. Bret Hart (IC match) (6/2/92) – alt commentary
07. HBK vs. British Bulldog (3/6/95)
08. HBK vs. Sid Vicious (IC match) (9/11/95)
09. HBK vs. 1-2-3 Kid (3/4/96)
Disc 2:
01. HBK vs. Mankind (8/11/97)
02. HBK vs. British Bulldog (One Night Only) (9/20/97)
03. HBK vs. Undertaker (casket Match at RR) (1/18/98)
04. HBK vs. Chris Jericho (WM19) (3/30/03)
05. HBK vs. Rick Flair (Bad Blood) (6/15/03) – alt commentary
06. HBK vs. Kurt Angle (WM21) (4/3/05)
Disc 3:
01. HBK vs. HHH (Boot Camp match in Afghanistan) (12/19/05)
02. HBK vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena (4/29/07)
03. HBK vs. Randy Orton (Title match) (11/18/07)
04. HBK vs. Chris Jericho (Unsanctioned) (9/7/08)
05. HBK vs. Undertaker (4/5/09)
Other Reviews:
Raw: The Beginnings: Seasons 1 & 2
Undertaker’s Deadliest Matches
Shawn Michaels: My Journey
Purchase on Amazon
Rating: 7/10
HBK was one of my favorites growing up. No one could match his charisma, athleticism, or penchant for controversy. With “My Journey”, the WWE attempts to summarize HBK’s illustrious career over three discs. The effort is ultimately satisfying, yet nowhere near comprehensive nor exhaustive. This review will consider several aspects of the product, including the packaging, match selection, bonus features, video/audio quality, and other aspects as necessary.
The product is structured accordingly: Michael Cole interviews HBK about a certain era. This interview lasts about three to four minutes, and it usually pertains to the upcoming match featured on the DVD. Then the match is shown its entirety. Following the match, a brief “feel good” segue/promo is played where HBK is standing alone, making “inspirational” facial expressions, and a “moving” quote about HBK is read on screen. Then the next interview starts up, and so forth.
The interviews themselves are a mixed bag. They’re presented as “shoot” interviews. HBK speaks very candidly about his life, and Michael Cole keeps him on track. There are a few hiccups though. HBK occasionally will say things without explaining the full story. He leaves the viewer a bit confused by speaking in a very referential manner. HBK also comes off a bit odd – frequently making these goofy laughs and speaking incoherently. Michael Cole continues to be the biggest goober of all time. He’s painful to watch, and he’s constantly praising HBK to the point of nausea.
The biggest problem of the interviews relates to the match selection. Often Michael Cole will ask HBK about a HUGE match that is not featured on the DVD. HBK will then discuss that huge match, but the match, ironically, is not included on the DVD. For example, HBK discusses the WM24 match with Rick Flair several times. Instead of including that match, WWE has opted to include their first encounter at Bad Blood. This is inane, and is probably done as a greedy attempt to force you to purchase the WM24 DVD in addition to “My Journey.” It’s one thing if the match hadn’t been mentioned, but the irony is that the several high profile matches are discussed yet missing (e.g. vs. Bret at Survior Series 92).
Match selection overall is pretty solid. This is now HBK’s fourth DVD, so the WWE is starting to include more obscure matches. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it definitely means “My Journey” is NOT the ultimate HBK DVD. In this product, you will NOT find HBK vs. Hogan, the screwjob match, HIAC with Taker, 3 stages or HIAC with HHH, HBK vs. SCSA at WM14, nor HBK vs. Flair at WM24. To me, those are HBK’s most important matches and they are nowhere to be found. However, you will find some forgotten classics. In particular the Rockers bout with a very young Nasty Boys is a great piece of history. The match against HHH in Afghanistan is pretty unique, and the Undertaker match at WM25 is necessary viewing. Also the infamous “One Night Only” match with the Bulldog is featured. The rest of the matches are listed below.
There are no bonus features included, except for those ultra cheesy promos discussed above. There’s also a cheesy music video featuring HBK footage, but it’s unnecessary. The packaging and menus are pretty slick, but again WWE refuses to list the matches on the back. I think this wards off potential buyers.
Overall, I’m having trouble strongly recommending this DVD. Like the Undertaker’s Deadliest Matches, “My Journey” equally features HBK’s early career (late 80’s through 2000) and his recent career (2003-today). I feel his earlier career, which made him a legend, should have been featured more prominently. Having this in mind, in combination with the questionable match selection, I recommend this DVD to younger fans and absolute HBK marks. For the rest of us, I’d stick with the Vault DVD or “Heartbreak and Triumph”.
FULL MATCH LIST
Disc 1:
01. HBK vs. One Man Gang (1/11/85)
02. Midnight Rockers vs. Buddy Rose and Doug Somers (4/20/86)
03. Midnight Rockers vs. Nasty Boys (3/15/88)
04. Rockers vs. Brain Busters (3/18/89)
05. Rockers vs. Hart Foundation (11/25/89)
06. HBK vs. Bret Hart (IC match) (6/2/92) – alt commentary
07. HBK vs. British Bulldog (3/6/95)
08. HBK vs. Sid Vicious (IC match) (9/11/95)
09. HBK vs. 1-2-3 Kid (3/4/96)
Disc 2:
01. HBK vs. Mankind (8/11/97)
02. HBK vs. British Bulldog (One Night Only) (9/20/97)
03. HBK vs. Undertaker (casket Match at RR) (1/18/98)
04. HBK vs. Chris Jericho (WM19) (3/30/03)
05. HBK vs. Rick Flair (Bad Blood) (6/15/03) – alt commentary
06. HBK vs. Kurt Angle (WM21) (4/3/05)
Disc 3:
01. HBK vs. HHH (Boot Camp match in Afghanistan) (12/19/05)
02. HBK vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena (4/29/07)
03. HBK vs. Randy Orton (Title match) (11/18/07)
04. HBK vs. Chris Jericho (Unsanctioned) (9/7/08)
05. HBK vs. Undertaker (4/5/09)
Other Reviews:
Raw: The Beginnings: Seasons 1 & 2
Undertaker’s Deadliest Matches
Shawn Michaels: My Journey
