Is Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2015)

📖 The Core Premise

Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version returns to the screen in 2015, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary, Music genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Through ten carefully chosen cover versions that whisk us from the British Invasion to a noughties X Factor final, this film journeys over five decades to track how artists as varied as The Moody Blues, Soft Cell, Puff Daddy and Alexandra Burke have scored number 1s with their retake on someone else's song. Each of the ten classic cover versions has its own particular tale, tied not only into its musical and cultural context but also the personal testimony of the artists, producers and songwriters whose lives were changed in the process."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version, even the presence of Meera Syal struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary, Music films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 60 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.