Britpop gets another look in ocumentary

Beginning at the Stone Roses' gig at Spike Island in 1990, "Live Forever" gives a fairly chronological look at the phenomenon that gave us the best English rock since the British Invasion. Using mostly montages, interviews and archival footage, director John Dower attempts to show the sheer power of the movement through the eyes of those who lived it. \nNumerous important bands are given little screen time in order to talk about Oasis, Blur and Pulp, who are considered the big three in the Britpop triad. Liam and Noel Gallagher from Oasis provide many hilarious moments, while Blur's Damon Albarn provides a tragic and jaded voice and Pulp's Jarvis Cocker gives a humble and real commentary on the movement. While Dower focuses way too much on the big three and sometimes trails off on political tangents, the film still successfully portrays just how amazing Britpop was in terms of its ambition and anthemic qualities. Some extras include deleted interview scenes and a tour diary of an Oasis tribute band.\nIf there is any sect of popular music that has been unlawfully discarded by the American public, it's Britpop. "Live Forever" provides a good, albeit flawed, starting point for those looking to get into the biggest British rock movement since the 1960s.