The thoughts and inspirations behind Arcade Fire's latest album is explored in The Reflektor Tapes. A mix and concert footage, behind-the-scenes footage, and voice-over interviews, the members of Arcade Fire, including the husband-wife leading duo of Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, relate what the band was going for in the development of their latest album “Reflektor.” Subjects discussed include the band's theatrical nature, which has recently included the use of giant heads, as well as Régine Chassagne's connection to her homeland of Haiti.
The Reflektor Film is a documentary that can be best described as part concert film and part avant garde behind the scenes footage. Most of the film, with the exception of the latter performance scenes, is presented in a stark black and white. The film has a very experimental presentation to it, which is almost going into the mindset of what Arcade Fire is all about.
The Reflektor Tapes is most worth watching for the concert footage, which primarily consists of songs from the “Reflektor” album, though there is a brief tease of Arcade Fire's most popular song “Rebellion,” even though the footage cuts away before the singing starts. Ultimately, The Reflektor Tapes is little more than a visual companion to the “Reflektor” album and is better suited as a DVD feature than a cinematic presentation.
★ ★ ★ 1/2 | FAIR
The Reflektor Tapes screens tonight and Monday at select Cineplex Theatres
