In fact, it's so hardcore deep into Beatle minutiae that it became a bit of a slog, even though I consider myself to be a pretty big Beatlemaniac. It doesn't help that it's a relatively low-fi documentary, professional but not much more, that's basically a series of talking heads. There's the occasional bit of incidental background music, instrumental pieces designed to sound just enough like the Beatles in their psychedelic era to fit with the period of the film.
If you've been to a Beatlefest — and you'll know it if you have, because you'll smell vaguely of patchouli and hotel shampoo for weeks — then you are the target audience for Magical Mystery Tour Memories. Everyone else is advised to watch with caution. Such a heavy dose of unfiltered Beatlemania can be hazardous to your health.
*True story: I once purchased an adult-sized inflatable Yellow Submarine chair and brought it to my office proudly on the Monday after a Beatles fan show. The following Friday, I was fired from that job. I spent the afternoon sitting cross-legged on the floor trying to shove all the idiotic air out of that idiotic chair.
Article comments