Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey

The Broadway smash STOMP is the inspiration for this lushly photographed international IMAX production showcasing percussion-based groups from New York's Stompers (performing on a large tenement set that looks like something out of West Side Story) to Native American dancers in Colorado, as well as the Winchester Cathedral bell-ringers, Spanish flamenco artist Eva Yerbabuena, the Japanese Kodo drummers, Indian parade members (with soloist Shafaatullah Khan), African drummers and choral dancers, and a Brazilian carnival group (there's also a “duel” between the percussion sections of two marching bands on the Brooklyn Bridge). Linking the sequences together are some vocal “percussion” riffs, mostly featuring STOMP's Keith Middleton (and the STOMP crew themselves show up periodically, clanging on cans underwater or riding along deadpan on bikes in the desert, honking horns and sounding bells). Pulse has no narration, but the groups are briefly introduced with captions, and the closing credits offer more elaborate descriptions. Celebrating the universality of the rhythmic drive in humankind, Pulse's penchant for continuous camera movement sometimes makes it difficult to appreciate the routines as a whole, but there's always enough verve to induce a whole lot of toe-tapping. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, DVD extras include bonus footage that runs slightly longer than the main program itself. Recommended. Aud: P. (F. Swietek)