Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018) User Reviews

A beautiful portrait

[jefflarflar · 9/10 · 14 November 2018]

A head full of dreams is a truely beautiful portrait of a band that to the public eye has never been through any real trying times in terms of potential break ups. The look into those darker times are when this documentary really shines because we simply didn't know the depths of how troubled the band was. Whilst things never truely get too upsetting for the band bar a sad death just as parachutes was releasing and the entire ghost stories album it still feels as if this is a stunning revelation a true testament to the editing. A huge help in this is that it is filled to the brim with footage dating back to Coldplay's origins easily the best footage in the entire film.

The cinematography of the performance pieces is nothing short of mesmerising at times and it all comes together as a burst of colour dripping with the bands philosophy of believing in love.

The final portions are a tiny bit rushed but you get the feeling it was worth it for those more in depth looks at the difficulties the band faced in the early days. All in all I highly recommend even for non Coldplay fans this has the ability to shine a new light on the bands talent.

A Nostalgic Experience.

[atekasiddiq · 8/10 · 26 November 2018]

When it's Coldplay, you know you'd be expecting some tears. Be it their song, or a movie or a documentary, it's meant to break you in the most raw-est ways possible. I know that's not a word, but can't really describe it any other way. And it's not the bad kind of tears. They're healthy ones. The ones, you wish people understood. The ones that you cry when you're alone or you feel like nothing matters, that's when you know, their songs do. They matter. Not because they're all cliche now and famous, it's mostly to do with how they transport you to good times. To times when it was alright. When people didn't tell you how hard life would be when you grow up. It was easy then. This movie/ documentary made me transport back to my childhood days. When I walked around with my Walkman around the house. I'd wait for their song "Viva La Vida" to come on MTV, just so that I could record it and play it a million times again. My mum thought I was insane. But I didn't stop. Because I connected with their songs in an instant. There was something about them, that made me "FEEL" things. Like I just did after watching this movie. It's truly exceptional what they still can do with their songs. And it's absolutely magical. Just like how they are. And how they always were. All that humor, bad times good times, makes you almost feel like we're all one band. One collective band. Just like Chris said. And we're gonna be alright. Everything's possible. Just, never give up.

A great documentary film proving how popular Coldplay have become

[neilbowers73 · 8/10 · 18 November 2018]

This is a warts and all documentary film charting 4 mates who met at University formed a band called Star Fish. Changed their name to Coldplay, played in the dingiest pubs and clubs in the UK and became the global phenomenon they are today.

They were spotted by Steve Lamaq who invited them to BBC Radio 1 to play live. Which at the time was unusual as no unsigned band had been asked to do this before. From then on crowds turned up to their gigs and eventually they signed to Paraphone. Before this band members had left and come back.

It goes through the making of all the albums from Parachutes through to A Head Full of Dreams. The difficult times for Chris Martin having split up from Paltrow as a result brought us the Ghost Stories album. The difficulty in the band trying to break into America. All of the tours finishing up after 18 months on the road in a full to capacity stadium in Sao Palo.

If you're like me a HUGE Coldplay fan then this really is a good film to watch. You can't help finding yourself drawn in to how 4 unassuming guys became such a huge success. You can see in this film just how such good friends they are as they bounce ideas for songs off each other and generally having fun doing what they love.

It was also hinted that A Head Full of Dreams could be the last ever album. Let's hope this isn't the case because there is so much love out there for Coldplay right now.

Reiterates why they're my favorite!!

[pcnrmny · 10/10 · 17 November 2018]

Watching this reignited my l❤ve for them as does seeing them live...listening to them...etc! One of my favorite things about seeing them live is you feel how close they are as a group and they make you feel part of it. This confirms the comradery they have that you feel at their shows. Thank you Mat!

amazinggggggggg.g......

[sonikishan-59207 · 10/10 · 22 November 2018]

If you are a Coldplay fan then you'll definitely get goosebumps for sure

In-depth view of the biggest band of the last 20 years

[jakoblarsson41 · 10/10 · 15 November 2018]

Since Whitecross is a close friend to Coldplay, he has been able to catch some crucial moments in the band's career. This documentary will make you laugh, cry, believe and most of important of all - understand why the band has grown to a larger-than-life-band. What still comes to mind in the end of the day is how four ordinary guys from Great Britain has been able to create magic in over 20 years with just four "simple" ingredients: friendship, happiness, talent and love.

This was so moving!

[mwas-65537 · 10/10 · 15 November 2018]

I laughed and cried... Lovely moving history of music and friendship.

For fans only

[Phil_Chester · 21 November 2018]

If you're not really a hardcore Coldplay fan, there is precious little entertainment value here. I lost interest in them after the second album and nothing in this film changes my mind. You could actually replace any of the footage with A N Other band's footage and you'd have exactly the same story as every other band's rise from the dingy dives to the sell-out stadia. Genuinely nothing new here - and they literally make a reference to this fact in the opening shot.

Could have been great...

[nikonja · 7/10 · 12 December 2018]

Nice story, well recorded, but I was missing that struggle part, their family input, their friends insights.... I was just missing something that connects us all, mother Sunday roast, getting a baby thrill.... something more poignant...

Please, please watch this!

[pugdog-95831 · 10/10 · 15 November 2018]

The movie was too incredible for words. I absolutely loved everything about it, and it flowed together really well. Somehow, I felt a sense of togetherness with people I'd never met before. It was an entire room filled with other Coldplayers. The month I had to wait for this movie was worth it in the end. I wish they had spent more time talking about the Viva la Vida album, but it's alright. This film was beautiful and breathtaking, and I'm at a loss for words. I've never been so happy about a movie before, but it feels like so much more than that. This was better than anything I could have imagined, and the feeling of finally getting to see this was wonderful. My excitement had been building up, until it exploded into a rush of happiness.

Work, Rest and Coldplay

[Lejink · 7/10 · 14 January 2023]

I fell away from Coldplay's music after their first two albums which might be something to do with my general tolerance and lack of attention span and patience for the delays albums seem to take these days. I really liked both of them but have never seen them live, although I obviously couldn't not be aware of some of their subsequent hits down the years notably "Fix You", "Vida La Vida" and "Paradise" to name just three.

It was my brother who got me back into them as I recently sought out the "A Head Full Of Stars" album and found that I really enjoyed it which made it natural to watch this light and bright documentary made at around the time of that particular album. I was expecting a live concert cash-in thing but instead was pleased that it took the format of a potted back-to-front band history which was helpfully aided by the group videoing and recording almost everything that was happening to them from day one and made me kind of wish the same technology was around when say, Elvis, The Beatles or Bowie were getting underway.

The group is still together today as I understand it, at least I know they're touring again later this year, but at the time of this film they appeared to be informally celebrating their 20th anniversary. It seemed to me they hit big really quickly and soon afterwards achieved true worldwide domination as clips from massive stadium shows from the likes of Mumbai, Seoul, Buenos Aires, L. A., Glastonbury, Paris and Sao Paolo all attest.

In truth their story isn't too dramatic or exciting, basically just four mates who came together at college. Lead singer Chris Martin, as well as being the main songwriter was the most extrovert band member, with the other three being quieter in nature. Add in their friend / manager / travelling companion Phil Harvey and the point is made forcibly and often that this band plus one is a democracy and is based on their enduring friendship.

Apart from their sacking of drummer Will Champion for a year or so early on, guitarist Jon Buckland's admission of a drink problem and Martin's depression around the time of his marital break-up with actress Gwyneth Poltrow, its been a relatively smooth trip for the band especially compared to other bands. We see nothing of the group members' home lives or families so the film lacks some depth which means that mostly they have their game-faces on when perhaps a little peak behind the curtains might have added some extra interest, if not actual spice to proceedings.

Does that make this retrospective safe, dull and boring, some might say, rather like the band themselves and their music? Doesn't the best art come from conflict?

Well, maybe so, but not in every case I'd argue. I for one can appreciate longevity in a band which still likes what it's doing, based largely on enduring friendships and as Paul McCartney once said in a different context, what's wrong with that?

Amazing, detailed and makes you cry :)

[palutcailany · 10/10 · 15 November 2018]

I watched it with my bf who's not a big fan of the band and even he said it was amazing and totally enjoyed it!!! As a fan this movie brought back the moments of the concert experiences, brought tears to my eyes. Love how it shows the evolution through old footages. I LOVE COLDPLAY <3

Must watch for Coldplay fans

[shabin-sajan · 7/10 · 2 January 2019]

The movie unveils the spectacular rise of the band from obscurity to stardom and offers an in-depth relations between the crew, the brotherhood. It's a must watch for all coldplay fans as it would take you to many exciting scenes and moments - "Goosebumps"

Coldplay and their music has inspired millions around the globe. Their beautifully written lyrics :-

"Lights will guide home" - Fix You "there's a light that you give me when I'm in shadow there's a feeling you give me, an ever glow" - Ever Glow. "In the night, the stormy night, Away she flied.

And dream of para-para-paradise" - Paradise

"As we soar walls, every siren is a symphony And every tear's a waterfall" - Every teardrop is a waterfall

"Nobody said it was easy No one ever said it would be this hard

Oh, take me back to the start" - Scientist.

But if your not a fan of coldplay and watch it then you many find the movie as mediocre.

Not for diabetics

[barryjames-mc · 2/10 · 25 November 2018]

Coldplay released 2 good albums, Parachutes, and A Rush of Blood to the Head. Everything else was awful. This documentary highlights how they became the Walmart of music, just there to please, devoid of art or integrity, a monolithic machine that appeals to people who really don't care about art or integrity, or music for that matter. It's a shame that it comes across as a sparkly advert for their new album. Who buys this music? People who buy music at Tescos, who only have Best of compilations and have settled down to boring lives, with their boring kids, Coldplay play their sugary, One Direction style songs, with celebs jumping in, etc., it's just sad that a band that could have kept their integrity went for saccharine, obvious, trite, vacuous, Walmart music. It's made them multi millionaires, but that's about it. If that's what it's all about it's sad. The documentary could have had a linear format, but that would have highlighted how awful they became.

Truly inspiring! Anything is possible!!!

[rezka-aditya · 10/10 · 21 November 2018]

What makes Coldplay a special group of people is not just their intoxicating sound or often mesmerizing lyrics, but their humble, grateful, happy, positive way of delivering their music.

I found the documentary a personal and nostalgic journey that catapulted the emotions of following your dreams. Presenting the film in such an intimate way reminds us that the band are humans like the rest of us, people who pursued their dreams and did it with belief and hard work

A Head Full of Dreams is an appropriate reminder that Coldplay have never been a manufactured band, they're really home-grown and hard-working from the start. The difference is they had the time to change, mould and take the risks and actually did. All the stories inside the film really made you inspired in so many ways. Hard work pays off, at the end of the day, if you're a fan or not, you need to admit it that they are that good!

Masterpiece

[stanisciamichelle · 10/10 · 24 November 2018]

It's a masterpiece, that's it. If you like the band, you have to watch it

Not to be missed

[Jaswatches · 10/10 · 6 December 2018]

It always amazing to see old unseen footage of the band from the time they started out til the present time. As cliche as it sounds , this movie will make you laugh, cry and inspire you in many ways. I found myself inspired by how relentless and passionate the band is in composing and creating their songs. The bit where they debated on which song should go on the album was interesting too. My only gripe with this movie is there is not much story behind some albums like Mylo Xyloto and Viva La Vida. Would really love to see what inspired those famous tracks. Nonetheless, whether you are a fan or not this is still one of heck of the show!

Music, Friends, Energy, Hapiness, Love, Life - it's all beautiful!

[sharathcumar · 9/10 · 27 December 2018]

Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams is a beautiful Documentary. The band, their life, their creativity, their strong bond, their ups and downs, above all strong bond in friendship with undying energy for the music and LOVE for music! Chris Martin is an interesting person and takes and does things creatively, everyone should watch this documentary, it is all about life, also to never give up on your dreams, and love your life and keep moving ahead. Each member of the band gives in so much to the band, and have taken to new heights in their life. Colorful, Energetic, Fun, Love, Beautiful and lovely MUSIC!

Perfectly made

[muamba_eats_toast · 10/10 · 10 May 2020]

Gave a proper insight into the bad with plenty of nostalgia back to my school days and the bands first few albums really captured both the emotions their rise in fame and the music perfectly. Just wish I'd been older to go to some of their original shows there's something about those shows before a band rises to the higher production levels which are so pure and connect even stronger than the big colours and shows of today not that I don't love the level of those also! If you're a fan of any level you'll love this film.

Best documentary I've ever seen

[UpSizedBigMac · 10/10 · 12 October 2020]

Very well made documentary. really interesting story from the badn Coldplay.

Coldplay fans, just watch it!

[rutvik-bvb-99 · 10/10 · 21 November 2018]

I was so stoked to watch this after I saw the trailer. Was totally not disappointed, as a diehard Coldplay fan, I loved every minute of it, the studio conversations, the arguments, how the band was formed and the live bits! It's just magical to learn about the band I live for! If you love Coldplay, just stop what you're doing and watch it!

a wonderful film

[christadrews · 9/10 · 20 November 2018]

My expectations were high, and I was not diappointed. Though I would have liked to know a bit more about their albums X&Y, MyloXyloto and Ghost Stories (my favourite), I was overwhelmed and absolutely stunned about what four rather ordinary students have been able to achieve.Their authenticity, their friendship and musical joy made me so happy. And here is my reply to berryjames: If you think that only their first two albums were good, you haven't heard Fix you, Viva la Vida, Everglow ... and the whole album of Ghost Stories. And why have Coldplay lost their integrity? Is music only good when not many people like it? Is it bad when whole stadiums like it? This implies that the majority of people are just too stupid to have a good taste for music? Do you know how many great musicians go to Coldplay concerts? Besides, making hundreds of thousands of people happy with your music is worthwhile. Don't look down on people who like Coldplay's new album. They also have a right to enjoy their music.

Story of Best British band

[sambuu-65534 · 10/10 · 15 November 2018]

It's not about only Coldplay career. It's all about music, musicians, and their fans. This film would inspire all new bands. How did they make successful band. What's reason of 20 years togetherness? This film show us patient, friendship.

The best documentary

[leonardocardias · 10/10 · 21 November 2018]

Coldplay is a great band and they have become a milestone in the history of the music, super deserved movie, it holds you from beginning to end.ld

just amazing

[khaledmouradsy · 10/10 · 4 December 2018]

The way that decumentary talk about the band overtime and how they where like family just lovely and heartwarming . and we all can learn from it that real friendship above everything in the world, and to be with your friend in good and rough time and stuck with it to the last day of your life like what the band did with each other .