Pearl Jam Twenty

Although they've certainly made their mark, Pearl Jam seems like an unusual choice for an American Masters special, being rather young to qualify as “classic” (the band formed in 1990); nonetheless, director Cameron Crowe makes a fine case here for their inclusion. Anyone expecting insights into their personal lives may be disappointed, as Crowe opts instead to emphasize the group's history, interpersonal dynamics, and indelible performances. He begins with their roots in Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone; after the drug-related death of singer Andrew Wood, the surviving members decided to start a new outfit. San Diego surfer Eddie Vedder heard their demo, recorded some vocals, flew to Seattle, and after five days of rehearsal, they played their first show. In short order, Pearl Jam released hit records, toured the world, battled with Ticketmaster, and somehow managed to stay together. Crowe has unearthed an impressive array of rare and sometimes humorous footage to chronicle their journey, along the way incorporating concert clips showing the band's shift from small venues to big arenas. Other than Soundgarden's Chris Cornell, there are few outside voices here, but Crowe's inside-out oral history approach works well. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround and PCM stereo (the Blu-ray version adds a PCM 5.1 option), extras include two bonus songs and deleted scenes. Recommended. (K. Fennessy)