STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning Noel Gallagher was the guitar-man for the Inspiral Carpets in the early 90's before being sacked for being too wild and unpredictable. However, later on in that decade, the Britpop phenomenon exploded onto the scene, and him, his brother Liam and two others jumped on the bandwagon, and formed the swaggering, rough round the edges rock group that went on to become the legendary Oasis. These rough round the edges Mancunian boys were uncompromising in their ways, and presented an alternative to the cookie cut vision of what a music personality should be, but managed to secure a series of consecutive hits before conflicting personalities, inter-band dynamics and the advent of ready made pop culture sought to bring them down.While they were undoubtedly tied up in the Britpop bubble of the time, years later it's undeniable that Oasis, as an individual group, generated something within the musical youth of the time that none of the others did, and to many they still do to this day. They tapped into the collective consciousness of young music fans of the time, and fed off a sense of disillusionment and rebelliousness many of them felt in what turned out to be the dying days of fifteen years of Tory rule. Although they clearly modelled themselves after, and idolised The Beatles, they were still raw and authentic in a way a band like Blur or Supergrass couldn't say they were, and in terms of delivering a cocky, take us or leave us attitude, they were in a league of their own.The film charts their story from before they were even born, with their mothers arrival from Ireland in the early 60's, and her marriage to their father, who physically abused her and Noel, but not Liam, although it still left traumatic scars on him, as we learn in one part where their tour manager in the US recounts him 'demanding' her to come down and see him so he could ask if she believed in God, only to tell her exactly why he didn't. Noel, however, seemingly refused to let it define him and managed to be a bit more grounded. However, their rough upbringing still reflected on their style as musicians, with Noel stating that Oasis 'weren't a band for wimps' and that their first reaction through losing a drummer to illness (but not death) was 'f**k me, we need a new drummer.' It all wraps up with Noel's thoughts on what happened after their mighty gig as Knebworth and how 'reality TV/talent show culture/the internet' meant such a mighty event could never happen again, and how the band should have just gone their separate ways forever after that. There's certainly a lot to cover in such a relatively short musical lifetime, and this film soaks you up in pretty much of it and leaves you feeling only minimally deflated after nearly two hours. ****

Watching this documentary/film, was like I had travelled back to 1994 and watched the next two years in a Meth induced rush. The only difference being, this time I actually was able to take it in and reflect on what a great time it was to be alive. I loved their first single/album and every subsequent single/album after that, why? Because I was carried along on the hype and the fantastic music. Liam and Noel, or should I say Noel and Liam? They created history and without really setting out with that intention, became the greatest band of the last 50 years. Life sometimes has twists, it does something that is the least expected thing you or anyone else thought would happen, then bang, nothing is the same afterwards. To be in a certain place at a certain time, purely by luck, plus to have a record company boss in the audience, well that's what I mean. Noels songwriting is the key to the success, but Liams vocals where also crucial. This film shows the rise of Oasis, from humble beginnings to becoming the greatest rock n' roll band of a generation. Their journey was like a person being at the best fireworks display ever, but with too much drink or drugs in their system. You see lots of lights, hear lots of bangs and get a bit over excited, and afterwards you say, "What the hell happened?" Then spend the next few years asking if you were really there at all! The relationship between the brothers was ultimately their downfall, but at least their music will still be around for future generations to listen to.This film takes you through the two years from 'Definitely Maybe' being released, to the few months after 'What's the Story Morning Glory hit the shops and the massive Knebworth gigs.Its an honest film and the views of all the people involved is given.Loved it. 10/10

Oasis were arguably the biggest rock band in the nineties. With reunion rumours circulating last year, Supersonic examines Noel and Liam Gallagher's childhood, forming Oasis, the band's explosion with "Definitely Maybe" and "(What's the Story) Morning Glory" and the inner turmoil as they became unstoppable superstars with their rebellious energy and epic songs.The documentary is framed by the band's biggest moment, two nights at Knebworth in August 1996, the band flying over the massive crowd in a helicopter.There is plenty for Oasis fans to enjoy, with home videos, rare footage (including an early rehearsal version of "All Around the World"), clever visuals (including dialogue animated by magazine cutouts) and regular commentary from Liam and Noel, their mother Peggy, brother Paul, Creation Records' Alan McGee (who signed the band in the early nineties) and former members Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Tony McCarroll amongst others.The heated, love-hate relationship between Liam and Noel is an important part of the documentary. The brothers admit their dynamic not only made the band so successful but eventually tore it apart. Personality-wise, Noel compares himself to a cat (quiet, introspective, independent) and Liam as a dog (loud, energetic and always needing attention).The supreme confidence of Liam and Noel made Oasis the swaggering force of rock music, and comes across – even 20 years later – in the interviews. Liam and Noel have no doubt Oasis were the biggest band on the planet, embracing their rowdy, bad boy image both in the press and on the road. When other band members (like McCarroll) couldn't handle Oasis' lifestyle anymore, Noel cut ties and moved on to find a replacement quickly, the band always came first. Noel's drive for success was immense, taking on more singing responsibilities to cover Liam's occasional early finishes and throat problems. Refreshingly, Noel and Liam are candid about the band's drug use on the road (which triggered the first of numerous Noel walkouts) and the abusive relationship with their estranged father Thomas, which got ugly when Thomas started using the press (who were suckers for anything Oasis- related) to his advantage. There's a lot of respect for their mother Peggy, who raised three boys by herself after leaving Thomas.Tellingly, Supersonic finishes in 1996, ignoring the drug-fuelled mess of "Be Here Now", their fall from mega-fame in the 2000s (after the disappointing "Standing on the Shoulder of Giants"), a late recovery and their 2009 split (when Noel finally walked out for good). This is for the best, as most Oasis fans would agree that "Definitely..." and "...Morning Glory" are the only albums that live up to Oasis' legacy. It's a wise choice, letting the documentary show Oasis at their very best.

Biblical, well I ain't no God fearing person but Whatever, the film captures, for most part, the simplicity we brought to being a modern day Rock n Roll star.There are two sides to it for the fan and the icon. The buzz of being recognized,quoted, followed and rich are fantastic and trying.To wake up and think "yeah I am really famous" as a first thought of the day is a buzz, a high better than any drug. But then after a while it grinds you down and you kinda want it to go away at times but it doesn't want too.I think the film shows signs of that and the demise was fame fatigue amongst other things.For the fans this is showing that we are just lucky guys who wrote and performed some great songs that caught the mood around at the time for a certain generation. Don't forget the Blur's and Suede and Elastica's but it's our tunes and our story that mirrors the times. Politics were dirty and confusing. The media were trying to create a Britpop scene and worse thing potato head did was sip champagne with Tory Blair, sorry Tony Blair. Stupidity aside come and rock n roll with me and the boys, I am all the things they say I am and then again I am nothing that has been written. One thing guaranteed. Love me and I will love you back. What makes the world go around? We did for sometime anyway. Love LGx