Common Sense Note
Parents need to be prepared for Madonna's usual mix of sexual innuendo and quirky spirituality. At this point, though, Madonna seems to think she's far more outrageous than we do.
Families listening together can talk about Madonna's amazingly long career, one in which she has reinvented herself over and over again. What does it take to have that kind of longevity in show business? Which other contemporary artists do you think will still be around, selling out arena shows 25 years from now?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Madonna is the queen of self-reinvention, riding the crest of popular culture's waves for the last 25 years as everything from Disco Bunny to Cowgirl to New Age Goddess to Glamour Girl. So it's no surprise that her latest world tour was called "Re-Invention." I'M GOING TO TELL YOU A SECRET, an audio and video chronicle of the show, ties most of Madonna's varied personalities together in an engaging, impressive package.
Madonna starts off with "The Beast Within," a spoken-word rant (lifted, she explains later, from the Book of Revelations) delivered over haunting Middle-Eastern instrumentals. Here you'll find lyrics that include some violent imagery as defined by Madonna's trademark individualistic spirituality; out of the usual context this all might be just a little uncomfortable for traditionally religious families, and perhaps a bit scary for younger children.
Theology dispensed with, Madonna launches into "Vogue," kicking off an energetic, danceable collection of greatest hits and crowd-pleasers.
The accompanying DVD is dramatic, pretentious, sexy; not appropriate for younger kids and probably a little over-the-top for everyone else.
Beginning with a slick video presentation of "The Beast," followed by some "candid" footage of Madonna discussing her religious beliefs with a young studio engineer, the video goes on to provide a behind-the-scene glimpse of tour preparations, narrated by the star herself.
The most engaging scenes are those of the young dancers auditioning and rehearsing, and the inclusion of a bagpipe player from Scotland. Any teen interested in a career in show business will find this fascinating, as will true-blue Madonna fans. Others may want to skip the video and just have loads of dance-party fun listening to the CD.
For more Madonna, check out Confessions on a Dance Floor.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentThe usual sexy innuendo. Reference to a "social disease" in "Nobody Knows Me." |
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ViolenceA few violent images in "The Beast Within," in a religious context. |
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LanguageA few four-letter words are used in the DVD. "F--k" is used on "I Love New York." |
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Social BehaviorSome families might be uncomfortable with Madonna's take on spirituality and religion. |
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CommercialismCD insert advertises "Madonna Shop" products. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOne or two references to drug use. |
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