Actually, this is really an excellent deal...thanks Janet!
Knyte | New York, NY | 03/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When I saw this video for sale a couple of years at the mall, I was so very happy. Most music video compilations feature only three to five songs, in conjunction with a particular album that an artist might be promoting. For example, Janet had already come out with two VHS editions for her 'Control' videos in 1987 (out of print), and then she also released the 'Rhythm Nation Compilation' video in 1991. So when I saw this VHS - that is, all of her videos from 'Control', all of her videos from 'Rhythm Nation 1814' and bonus videos like "That's The Way Love Goes", "Runaway" and "Oops Now", I was sold. She (or A&M records) really didn't have to do this for her fans. Very cool...Just so you know, the "Alright" video on this VHS does not contain the rap break w/Heavy D; you can only get that version on the 'Rhythm Nation' compilation video, which I think is a great one to own as well since it contains interviews and other extras. Also, the "Miss U Much" on here is the shorter version w/out the brilliant dance sequence incorporating chairs. You'll have to get the 'Rhythm Nation Compilation' or the 30 minute short film that came out in 1989 to see it.Thanks for your time..."
R&B Queen of Video
Vincent M. Mastronardi | Michigan | 08/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Janet was truly done it all in her videos and done her best to change the genre that started out as funny European art clips into modern pieces of urban fun. At best, she's a mind-blowing performer that takes control of the stage and makes you love her. Some of the highlights of this set of hits are include funky scenes in such upbeat songs as "What Have You Done For Me Lately" and "When I Think Of You". Stage presence is proven on faire like "Control" and the rocking "Black Cat" (even a panther can't take your eyes off Janet). Her choreographed to perfection solo apartment romp in "Pleasure Principle" combines her excellent moves and sex appeal. Janet gets downright epic on dance masterpieces like "Rhythm Nation" and "Miss You Much". These videos really made the big dance number essential to all pop songs. The videos are only shot in black and white, but the are revolutionary even in cinematography. Continuing on the epic front are a trip back in time in "Alright" (warning, not the Heavy D long version). Innocence be damned when Janet lets her waist line show in the sexy yet charming "Love Will Never Do Without You" and the steamy scenario of "That's The Way Love Goes". A trip across the world is seen in "Runaway". The cute "Whoops Now" is a big bonus of home video. And I should also mention the song is on the end of the "Janet" record. Sorry if I forget to mention that in the review of the album.Now at worst, well, it's not her fault. It's boring direction for emotional ballads that just can't work. "Let's Wait A While" is just to sweet and loving while "Come Back To Me" is fair to lush. In all, some of the best videos of the eighties and nineties that can be enjoyed a lot. Janet fans, this is a must for you. It might be worth looking into her video sets for albums like "Janet" as well."
Let Janet Take You On A Escapade
V. Melendez | san jose, california United States | 03/12/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"With This DVD You Can See Janet Grow Up.. Even Doh It Was Missing A Video From Her Design Of A Decade CD "Twenty Foreplay".. But This DVD Is Still Cool..Track List...
1. What Have You Done For Me Lately
2. Nasty
3. When I Think Of You
4. Control
5. Let's Wait Awhile
6. The Pleasure Principle
7. Miss You Much
8. Rhythm Nation
9. Escapade
10. Alright
11. Come Back To Me
12. Black Cat
13. Love Will Never Do (Without You)
14. That's The Way Love Goes
15. Whoops Now
16. Runaway
17. Runaway DocumentaryThe DVD Comes With Dolby Digital 2.0 Sound And PCM Sound... No Subtitles... The Runaway Documentary Is Like MTV'S Making The Video... LOL..."
MAGNIFICENT! Janet is terriffic in all of these videos.
V. Melendez | 02/14/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This tape features the music videos for "What Have You Done for Me Lately", "Nasty","When I Think of You","Control","Let's Wait Awhile","The Pleasure Principle","Miss You Much","Rhythm Nation","Escapade","Alright","Come Back to Me", "Black Cat","Love Will Never Do(without you)", "That's The Way Love Goes","Whoops Now", and "Runaway". This video also has a Runaway documentary. I watch this video over and over and I never get tired of it. It's amazing. Janet is the BEST dancer ever. I encourage all of you to buy this video. It is a wonderful collection of Janet's greatest hits!"
Great songs; classic videos; too many DVD shortcomings
J. Lizzi | Costa Mesa, CA | 04/16/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I've always been a fan of Janet's music and videos, and this DVD serves as a good representative of big-budget dance video making from the late 80's to early 90's. The vast majority of this disc contains songs and video works that are absolute classics worthy of any video aficionado's library. My big problem in rating this DVD is that, although I'm inclinded to rate this 5-stars just for the songs, what appears on the disc are too many adverse surprises and omissions that wound up leaving me disappointed more often than I expected.Thumbs-Down #1: Some of the black-and-white videos are overly contrasted, and thus are lacking detail. I noticed this when comparing "Miss You Much" and "Rhythm Nation" to the same videos on the "Rhythm Nation Compilation" DVD, which has a much better digital video transfer.Thumbs-Down #2: "Miss You Much" doesn't show the 35-second choreographed "chair sequence" (that's my name for it) which follows the shortened ending that MTV reverted to after the video had been in heavy rotation for awhile. I always love watching the extended part, and I can't on this disc.
Thumbs-Down #3: "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" is the alternate (partly colorized) version that is simply not as good as the original, all black-and-white version. This video shows Janet at her all-time sexiest, and the flip-flopping between color and b/w turns out to be more of a distraction to me than anything else.Thumbs-Down #4: "Alright" doesn't contain the extended version (including Heavy D's rap and some other things). This video is still great, but it leaves me longing for the deleted sequences that I know are supposed to be there.[Note: The "Rhythm Nation Compilation" DVD has none of the deleterious aspects mentioned above]Thumbs-Down #5: The "Whoops Now" video is not enjoyable to me at all. The film is so overly grainy it doesn't look artistic; plus, I'm not wild about the song. Whoops, sorry.Thumbs-Down #6: Aside from the "Runaway" documentary (see following comment), there are virtually no DVD extras . . . not even cool intros to the songs. No liner notes either.Thumbs-Up (credit where it's due): The "Runaway" documentary is very good; albeit short. I love behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, and I wish this DVD contained more. This documentary has interviews with Janet and well as some good footage of the choreography and production crew.[Trivia -- Number of videos in which Janet wears a dangling key earring: 8]"