Hype!

1996
7.5| 1h24m| en
Details

This documentary examines the Seattle scene as it became the focus of a merging of punk rock, heavy metal, and innovation. Building from the grass roots, self-promoted and self-recorded until break-out success of bands like Nirvana brought the record industry to the Pacific Northwest, a phenomenon was born.

Director

Producted By

Helvey-Pray Production

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Reviews

Contentar Best movie of this year hands down!
Organnall Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,
Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
Kayden This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama
doulikejimi This documentary is, very simply, great. It is basically about the music scene in Seattle during and before the "grunge" scene exploded.I really liked how most of the people that were interviewed were not the really famous bands that everyone knows. Of course there is a part of that in the film, but it is not presented in a way that is really shoving it in your face like how all the mainstream media tends to do. It had more to do with the relatively unknown or underground music that erupted from Seattle during that time.I also liked how it was put together in a way that really gave you a solid history and background of the music that was present before "grunge", and how that music influenced the next generation of music, which then influenced the NEXT generation of music.As a whole, it is a very solid documentary that gives the perspective of the people who were around during the "grunge" movement, and the artists' opinions and responses to it. And, of course, there is a lot of fantastic music (and some not so much). ^_^ Enjoy.
vedthree For anyone who was a fan of the early '90s "grunge" music, Hype! is almost required viewing. Loaded with interviews, live footage, and early demos/recordings, it is an accurate chronology of the early scene.However, what makes Hype! so good is that it is basically two stories in one. A simple narrative about the Seattle scene is used to illustrate how the American pop-culture machine will jump on the bandwagon. An independent musical scene with a range of different influences gains a little exposure and reputation. Soon the corporate media steps in, and it all becomes wrapped up in the nice little package of "grunge" and is marketed nationwide as a music/clothing/life-style choice. The people in the original scene either play the game and take advantage of it, or they are caught up and exploited, or they are simply left behind. In the end, what was once underground becomes assimilated into the mainstream and homogenized. The cycle is left to repeat itself somewhere else as soon as the next "musical revolution" is discovered.Hype! could have just as easily been about a different city or musical genre, and the story would have been the same. These same themes have been brought up in numerous other films, but they work a little better in Hype! because it's not simply a satire, but shows it first-hand through real people.Once again, I think Hype! is a well-made documentary. Even if you're not a fan of "grunge", I still recommend it for its treatment of pop-culture as a whole.
mudhoney10 An incredible reminder of the intense, passionate, and powerful grunge movement from the late 80s through the mid 90s. A wonderful 1996 surprise for any rock lover, but especially those loyal to the genre itself. The honest and direct interviews, commentaries, and live performances provide inspiration to all open to hear what the fuss (or should I say fuzz?) was all about.
Ed Uthman If you were above a certain age when the "Seattle sound" or "grunge rock" became the rage, HYPE! is a good place to catch up. I can't think of a single feature film that has concert performances from so many bands. Most songs are shown as excerpts rather than in full-length, but the clips are lengthy, and the musicians are shown in prolonged shots without the irritating frenetic cuts favored by post-MTV film editors. The concert footage has more the flavor of the 60's than the 90's. Although grunge rock was the signature of Generation X, both older and younger rock music fans will likely enjoy it.Most of the interview material will be best appreciated by fans of the genre. Other viewers will find that, away from the stage and their instruments, grunge rockers are no wittier or more entertaining than the musicians who preceded them.