Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
This film is released as part of the ongoing 50th anniversary celebration of the Rolling Stones. It tells the story of the Stones' unparalleled journey from blues obsessed teens in the early 60s to their undisputed status as rock royalty. All of the Stones have been newly interviewed and their words form the narrative arc that links together archive footage of performances, news coverage, and interviews, much of it previously unseen. Taking its title from a lyric in "Jumpin' Jack Flash," this film gives the viewer an intimate insight into exactly what it's like to be part of the Rolling Stones as they overcome denunciation, drugs, dissensions, and death to become the definitive survivors. Over a year in the making and produced with the full cooperation and involvement of the Stones, this film is and will remain the definitive story of the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band
Crossfire Hurricane is a well-crafted authorized documentary that benefits enormously from its treasure trove of rare and previously unseen archive footage, giving fans an intimate look at the Stones' rise. The narrative structure is competent and engaging, guided by new interviews that provide candid reflections. However, as an authorized band documentary released for a milestone anniversary, it follows a fairly familiar promotional template — rise, scandal, survival, triumph — limiting its novelty. The cinematography is constrained by the archival nature of the material, with the doc relying heavily on existing footage rather than distinctive visual construction. The ending, celebrating the band's enduring legacy, is satisfying but predictable for this format. Solid and enjoyable for fans, but not a reinvention of the music documentary form.