Review: Oasis:Supersonic

Oasis were big in the United States. They were humongous in the UK. Supersonic, Mat Whitecross's new documentary on the band, does a great job at showing just how massive they became. The film stops short of telling the full story of Oasis but shines as thrilling look at the road to the peak of their success. 

The core of Oasis are the Gallaghers. Noel and Liam are likely the only members most people can name. Luckily the film features plenty of guitarist Bonehead and bassist Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan. This helps provide alternative perspectives to the band as the Gallaghers tend to think of themselves as gods. The documentary also makes an argument that some of that ego is well-deserved. It is hard to argue that Oasis didn't make two great rock records that topped the Brit-pop scene.

The documentary starts and ends with the band's 1996 two-night show at Knebworth. The show drew hundreds of thousands of people and is a landmark concert for its size. Fans looking for the complete Oasis story, from inception to their end in 2009, will be disappointed. The film, as do casual fans, seems only interested in the popular parts of the story.

Mat Whitecross does an excellent job placing the viewer as the sixth member of the band. For most of its running time, Supersonic feels like you are back stage after a show hearing stories about the good old days.  By only focusing on the two first albums, the documentary allows the energy and excitement of the band come through.

Whitecross wisely avoids focusing solely on Liam and Noel and their fighting. Instead the film shows a group of friends who blew up into rock stars overnight. It is a thrilling trajectory and one told with warts and all honesty, mixed with plenty of ego. Whitecross utilizes animation and archival footage to great effect, giving the film visual flare to match the wild story. 

Supersonic is great when it focuses on the rise to stardom. The film takes a detour to look into Liam and Noel's personal lives and does not come up with much. An estranged relationship with their dad gets too much screen-time.  The film also seems to assume the audience has followed Oasis and knows the music and tabloid stories well. For those who don't know much about the band, a few things may seem brushed over unfairly. 

Still, Supersonic is a solid rock doc that places viewers inside the hurricane of hype the band experienced. The film also successfully reminds audiences that these were just kids who were just aware enough to realize they had made it. 

3.5/5