After all-star premieres in Paris, London, Los Angeles and Chicago, Kanye West finally shared his 35-minute film, Runaway, with the masses via MTV and its sister properties earlier tonight. I TiVo’d the showing and began to watch a little later, only to discover that MTV had cut to commercials just six minutes in. (Don’t think they would have ever done that to the master of the extended music video, Michael Jackson.)
With a storyline that’s something of a metaphor for Kanye’s career in recent years, Runaway is a visually arresting piece of work. The heart of the film, the banquet-in-a-hangar performance of the song “Runaway,” is stunning, even if it’s hard to miss the single ballerina who failed to remain frozen in her final pose (pay attention to the top right of the frame in the crane shot).
And though I’m so not one for birds, damn if the Phoenix (played by Selita Ebanks) isn’t fine. Maybe I wouldn’t mind some feathers in my nethers?
Smoke and fire have never looked so gorgeous on film. How about that Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade-sized Michael Jackson head? (I’ll have to watch more closely to determine whether the crowd was honoring or pillorying the King of Pop.) And now thanks to Runaway, the unbiquitous Nicki Minaj can add “Narrator” to her growing-like-Gremlins resume too.
Did you also take note of what appears to be Kanye’s reference to his moment with Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs? Just as the Phoenix is starting to feel more accepted around all these strangers at the table, some turkey comes along and ruins the party. The upside to her agony is that we get to see her spread those gorgeous Phillip Lim-designed wings.
Based on the songs featured in Runaway, I’m looking forward to the release of Kanye’s new album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, out November 22. I’m loving “All Of The Lights,” a supersize collaboration (and next single) with Fergie, La Roux’s Elly Jackson, Elton John, Rihanna (whose vocals are part of the film), and 7 others. But the Bon Iver-featuring “Lost In The World,” which plays toward the end of the film, is also very much a keeper, especially once the beat kicks in.
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is now up for pre-order on iTunes, but Kanye’s still churning out weekly entertainment via his free G.O.O.D. Friday offerings, some of which appear on the album (though he’s often quick to add in better, expanded form). The latest freebie, “Don’t Look Down,” didn’t make the cut, but in some stroke of genius timing, tells the story of the phoenix, and features John Legend, Lupe Fiasco, and Big Sean.
Purchase Kanye West – “Runaway” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.
