The Doors - When You're Strange Review

"When the doors of perception are cleansed, things will appear to man as they truly are...infinite."

When You're Strange is the latest documentary that follows the rise and fall of the late The Doors frontman, Jim Morrison. Unlike Oliver Stone's rendition which had Val Kilmer playing the role of the iconic singer, When You're Strange is branded as the "true story of The Doors".

The film begins with a man getting out of a trashed car on road by the desert. In an apparent flashback, he is seen driving the car while the radio is on. The jockey announces the death of Jim Morrison. The movie's narrator, Johnny Depp, then takes over by telling us about the early days of The Doors using footage from the 60s.

If you're a Doors fan, you've already heard the story many times before. From the infamous Ed Sullivan appearance that led the band to stardom, to the Miami incident that would have ultimately seen Jim go to prison. What makes this biopic unique is the use of real, never-before-seen, footage which beautifully compliments the frontman's life.

Living up to its promise, When You're Strange is a true and neutral depiction of The Doors. Never does the narrator try to over embellish Morrison's life nor does he put all of the emphasis on his alcohol and drug issues to try and degrade him. Jim is presented as what he was: a poet, a singer, a human being.

When You're Strange is a prime example of a biopic done right and is a must-see for any music fan. We can only hope that the planned Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain movies follow in its footsteps. When You're Strange is currently available on BluRay and DVD. Of course, we also recommend picking up the soundtrack.

"You can't burn out if you're not on fire."