Summer music video review
Don't have $10 to sit in an air-conditioned multiplex — or the $4 in gas it takes to get there these days? Then log on to your preferred participating website (MTV.com, AOLmusic, YouTube, etc.) to catch these latest, often highly cinematic (if not all strictly awesome) music videos. And don't forget to cool off using the dollar-bill cash fan you've made with your savings!
LIL WAYNE, ''A Milli'' (uncensored)
The Concept In a single docu-style take, the rap superstar hangs with his posse,
poses with fans, receives strategic cologne spritzes from a personal
groomer/perfumer, and generally enjoys his Wayne-ness. The Execution Low-tech but gratifyingly intimate. B+
CHROMEO, ''Momma's Boy''
The Concept Cheeky electronic duo gets rotoscoped (i.e., lines traced over actual film), — à A-Ha's ''Take On Me'' and Richard Linklater's Waking Life — but
in spare black and white.
The Execution Without the roto, it would probably be pretty typical; luckily, the
animation makes it cute — and softens the Oedipus-complex subject matter.
B+
COLDPLAY, ''Viva La Vida''
The Concept Band trapped inside a Renaissance painting. Also, lots of speeding
clouds and expansive arm gestures from singer Chris Martin. The Execution This is beautifully shot in saturated colors by legendary hip-hop auteur
Hype Williams, but it's also kind of pretentious — and a little
underwhelming for such a powerful song. C+
KERI HILSON, ''Energy''
The Concept Flashdance meets Million Dollar Baby — boxing-ring face-offs and
locker-room dance shenanigans. The Execution Decent, if a little generic. More fascinating than the love-gone-wrong
bits are Hilson's dramatic hairdo switches and flawless sweat sheen. B
KERLI, ''Walking on Air''
The Concept Estonian pop star loves Tim Burton, Grimm's fairy tales, tutus. Observe
as she sleeps on a bed of stones, cries crystal tears, and communes with
creepy old-man spirits in the mirror. Goth bonanza! The Execution At first sort of cheesy and silly. Until you find yourself watching it
for the 47th time, completely rapt. A-
VAMPIRE WEEKEND, ''Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa''
The Concept Indie rockers borrow Pretty in Pink's plotline (collar-popped preppy +
quirky outsider = true luv 4ever!), with a touch of Thriller transformation.
The Execution Entertaining as a low-budget tribute to '80s film — but it's odd that they
mock a decade they're not old enough to remember. B
DANITY KANE FEAT. MISSY ELLIOTT, ''Bad Girl''
The Concept Diddy's made-for-TV girl group shares more than its initials with the
box office smash of the summer: Here they go Dark Knight lite with
Gotham City-esque exteriors, comic-book-style captions, and double
identities. The Execution Giddily camp-tastic. For the next single, can we get a shot-for-shot
Barbarella remake? B+
