DURAN DURAN RIO… THE DEFINITIVE AUTHORIZED STORY OF THE ALBUM

Along with Pac-Man and Rubik's Cubes, Duran Duran's 1982 album Rio in many ways helped define the pop culture of the decade. The British new-wave quintet's highly stylized videos for "Hungry Like The Wolf" and title track "Rio" catapulted them into the living rooms of teenagers across America, and even helped MTV become a household word. "Duran Duran Rio…The Definitive Authorized Story of the Album" offers intriguing behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creation of the landmark album and its accompanying music videos. Most of the DVD is made up of revealing recent interviews with four of the five original band members (minus guitarist Andy Taylor), interwoven with music and video footage. Highlights include bassist John Taylor breaking down song elements at the mixing deck and on his guitar, and frontman Simon LeBon explaining how "finishing Rio marked the end of Duran Duran's innocence." Bob Geldof of Live Aid fame also gets in on the interview action, asserting that although Duran Duran were often dismissed as high-fashion pretty boys, they were a musical force to be reckoned with.

There's a decent amount of bonus material here, comprising mostly interview footage that didn't make the final cut. It most likely won't knock your socks off, but it's worth perusing. Also in the extras section are "exclusive" versions of a handful of tracks from Rio the band filmed in a Boston studio in 2007. These guys may have hit middle age, but they prove they've still got it. Overall, it's a well produced endeavor, providing insights not only into the quintet's music but also the era in which it was made and the five men who created it and stole the hearts of many a 1980s teen.

Disc features include:

Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
English, Spanish and French Subtitles

The Video: 7/10
The Audio: 7/10
The Extras: 6/10
Overall: 7/10

Courtesy IGN DVD