Backstage

OPIS

Chris Fiore's boisterous documentary cashes in on the hip-hop phenomenon by offering a purportedly frank and uncensored look at 1999's sell-out US rap extravaganza, the Hard Knock Life Tour. Featuring headlining MCs Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man, Redman and other key artists, the congratulatory film follows the standard formula of concert footage randomly combined with off-stage action and plenty of pointless posturing for the camera. Die-hard fans will doubtlessly lap up the profanity-riddled shots of stars smoking dope, groping groupies, squabbling and generally stroking their egos, but it's definitely a case of preaching to the converted. Ultimately anyone unfamiliar with the scene will gain little insight, especially since Fiore cuts away when anything really revealing occurs.