Cirque du Soleil - Solstrom - The Complete Series

Starring:Cirque Du Soleil
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Solstrom is a 13-part variety series starring members of Canada's Cirque du Soleil along with some new discoveries. Originally broadcast on Bravo in the US, each episode has a different national identity and features numerous feats of gravity-defying derring-do. The performers hail from Cirque productions Dralion, Zumanity, La Nouba, Saltimbanco, Varekaï, Alegría, Mystère, Quidam, and "O."

Wind is the overriding theme, specifically a "solar wind" that transforms ordinary citizens into graceful athletes. "Wind of Romance," for instance, is set in an Italian villa where the inhabitants interact through gestures rather than words. A love affair is played out on a clothesline-as-tightrope, a suitor woos his intended out of a painting through acrobatics, a couple fights and makes up through juggling, and another re-connects via flashback to an aerial pas de deux. Other acts incorporate pyrotechnics, unicycles, and physical comedy. Brazil is the setting for "Twin Winds," which focuses on duos and features contortionists, jugglers, aerial straps, and boleadoras (tap dancers with stone-tipped ropes). Other settings: Romania ("Howling Wind"), Paris ("Rockin' Wind"), London ("Once Upon a Wind"), the Caribbean ("Wind of Freedom"), Hollywood ("Ghostly Wind"), Nevada ("Gone With the Winds"), Quebec ("Wind From the Past" and "Winds of Courage"), New York City ("Wind of Imagination"), Salzburg ("Wind of Life"), and even outer space ("Cosmic Wind").

Amazon.com

Solstrom is a 13-part variety series starring members of Canada's Cirque du Soleil along with some new discoveries. Originally broadcast on Bravo in the US, each episode has a different national identity and features numerous feats of gravity-defying derring-do. The performers hail from Cirque productions Dralion, Zumanity, La Nouba, Saltimbanco, Varekaï, Alegría, Mystère, Quidam, and "O."

Wind is the overriding theme, specifically a "solar wind" that transforms ordinary citizens into graceful athletes. "Wind of Romance," for instance, is set in an Italian villa where the inhabitants interact through gestures rather than words. A love affair is played out on a clothesline-as-tightrope, a suitor woos his intended out of a painting through acrobatics, a couple fights and makes up through juggling, and another re-connects via flashback to an aerial pas de deux. Other acts incorporate pyrotechnics, unicycles, and physical comedy. Brazil is the setting for "Twin Winds," which focuses on duos and features contortionists, jugglers, aerial straps, and boleadoras (tap dancers with stone-tipped ropes). Other settings: Romania ("Howling Wind"), Paris ("Rockin' Wind"), London ("Once Upon a Wind"), the Caribbean ("Wind of Freedom"), Hollywood ("Ghostly Wind"), Nevada ("Gone With the Winds"), Quebec ("Wind From the Past" and "Winds of Courage"), New York City ("Wind of Imagination"), Salzburg ("Wind of Life"), and even outer space ("Cosmic Wind").

Description

A child in a sandbox. An architect at a construction site. A high wire shimmering over an Italian piazza. Aliens performing at a cosmic discotheque. All are touched by the solar wind, a magical energy force that transforms everyday life into a playful world blending fantasy with acrobatic performance.
Since its inception in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has delighted spectators in more than 100 cities around the world. Now for the first time, Cirque du Soleil presents Solstrom, a new and extraordinary 13-part television series.

Customer Reviews:

Cirque Stuff.......2007-01-17

This is a great collection for Cirque fans. You can see the "progression" of the quality and professionalism over the years. This is a good collection to have especially for folks not fortunate enough to have seen these 'live'. One DVD allows the viewer to select from different camera angles to watch. Neat addition! Sound and picture quality are very good. Glad I got it............Kevin S

Not too bad.......2006-08-14

Before purchasing this and watching the previews.. I assumed that its ALL the cirque du soleil acts with the actors without their makeups on.. and I thought that was a pretty cool concept. The first episode which took place in an Italian setting was really cool. I was able to name certain acts from certain shows, but there were a couple that I had no clue where they came from. I just assumed they were from older shows. I didn't really realize until the second episode that its a bunch of acts from cirque, mixed in with non-cirque acts. Overall, I'd have to say it was pretty decent. It was definitely entertaining.

I agree - you must be a big fan for this :-l.......2006-08-03

I absolutely love Cirque Du Soleil. I love everything about them; the artistry and talent, the costumes, the make-up, the music and stories etc. I've seen live O, Ka, Mystere and about to see Verakai, so you could say I'm a big fan. However ... This series was a little bit disappointing. It's a little repetitious and some acts are sub par. I think the thing that makes this not as good as a full on show, is that there is no real flow because each episode has a different theme and even within some episodes there are a few different themes. The acrobatics and music and costumes are all what you would expect - absolutely brilliant, but it's certainly not like seeing a show of theirs live. I know it's not possible for some people to see their shows live, but if you ever get the opportunity, you HAVE to decide it's worth it and just go - it will change you. Cirque Du Soleil are the most amazing performers of any kind in the world.

Only for hardcore Cirque Fans. :o).......2006-07-01

Although this doesn't compare to the actual Performance DVDs it's an interesting mix of acts from most of the Cirque Shows. The biggest bonus: performances from shows not yet available on DVD (Zumanity, Mystère, and "O"). If you're a big Cirque fan you will enjoy this DVD. Hopefully Cirque will eventually release DVDs of their resident shows in Vegas (Zumanity, Mystère, "O", Ka and Love) like they did for La Nouba in Disney. Let's face it, most of us could never afford to see all these shows live. :o)

SOLEIL COULD MAKE IT BETTER.......2005-09-05

Cirque du Soleil is a great entertainment with color, light, performance and fantasy for adults and kids BUT Solstrom is not ok. What we see in this is not the same as the excellent job on Alegria or Nouba. The stage and light used are mediocre. Even you can see same performance than in live but you do not feel the same. They would get it better after the beautiful job they did on Alegria or Nouba. I do not recommend it.

DVD:

DVD