Now, let me say that the production company responsible for this DVD release should be fired and never allowed to produce anything again, including home movies. The editing sucked. I could have done a better job of editing the concert. The quality of the cameras is good, but they have some sort of Special Effects Camera and when the DVD was edited, they inserted the Special Effects Camera clips in with the standard camera clips. I think the Special Effects Camera would be fine, had the DVD been properly edited and the clips inserted at appropriate times. And I don't think any camera view lasts more than 4 seconds. It was just too choppy. You can also tell that every camera they had was grounded, so there were no interesting overhead or "flying" shots. Also, the sound on the DVD is not very good at all. The volume of the DVD seems to adjust, so I was constantly adjusting the sound on my television. You can hear the band and the noise of the crowd, but I struggled to hear Gloria. I assume there were problems with the microphone, but that should have been fixed in the editing room.

And there are no extras, just the concert. Couldn't they have added some "Behind The Scenes" footage, maybe setting up for the concert or something about the band?

I don't blame Gloria, I blame the production company. If you buy this DVD, just remember that the production company did a poor job with this concert and that it should in no way reflect the quality of Gloria's concerts or of Gloria herself.


Simply Glorious!   February 27, 2004
John B. Valeri (Portland, CT USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Gloria Estefan is explosive, and this DVD proves it. Backed by a brilliant 23-piece band, a troupe of dancers and awe-inspiring set designs, Estefan presents hits old and new in this infectious concert event. Though her vocals sometimes sound a bit strained, Estefan is all energy and has a commanding stage presence. Her charisma, humor and warmth are captivating, and she manages to make a 4,000 seat theater seem as intimate as a street-corner lounge. New arrangements of classics such as "1,2,3", "Turn The Beat Around", "Oye Mi Canto" and a beautful ballad medley are sure to delight, while Latin staples such as "Mi Tierra", "Con Los Anos...", and "Hoy" showcase the singer's passion for her heritage. Also included are songs from her most recent album, the intimate "Unwrapped". Of these, "Te Amare" is the standout, while Estefan also delivers a powerful rendition of "I Wish You" to close out the show after performing a spectacle of an encore, complete with alligator, flamingos and palm trees. Caliente!


Well-balanced live DVD   February 11, 2004
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

Though a few vocals were strained, Gloria proved why she is the Undisputed Queen of Latin Pop. Her and the band's balance of performing pop hits to ballads to Latin numbers is fantastic. An incredibly even show showcasing the very best of this diva's extensive catalog. Nice visuals and dancers, as well. The new arrangements and vocals were an extra special treat as well. The rhythm continues to get me, even after all these years. Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine = quality!


Gloria's ultimate concert experience   February 26, 2004
Kevin Martin Murnane (Donnybrook, Dublin 4 Ireland)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Unfortunately I couldn't make it to the "Live and Unwrapped" concerts in Las vegas, so I waited with much anticipation to view this concert at home on DVD. This would be a first for me as I had seen all of Gloria's other world tours in the flesh so I knew first hand what to expect.
Reviews of the show made it sound spectacular and after viewing it myself I have to say it exceeded my expectations. In my opinion, Gloria's best performance was the "Homecoming Concert" and this show "Live and Unwrapped" has all the elements and pacing of that show with the added advantage of modern theatrics and stunning choreography. Gloria never lets up, her commanding voice and aerobic like performance showcase how much of a pro she really is. The set pieces are incredibly moody and colourful, ranging from the mysterious to the downright fantastical. 16 dancers accompany her on stage, as well as a 23 piece band, moving sets and amazing puppeteers. All in all this is a Gloria show like we've never seen before and if this is a precursor to her upcoming world tour, we have a lot to look forward to.