A Review of ‘Ace of Base: All That She Wants’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Key Art for ‘Ace of Base: All That She Wants’ Courtesy of Viaplay.

​When it comes to documentary style filmmaking in this day and age, audiences are definitely running into quite the problem with it. In that, there’s been a titanic shift to make these stories as dramatic as possible. Which is bringing forth tales that are more about flash and that’s creating a problem when it comes to the facts in documentaries as well. Since so many documentaries are eager now to tell stories that are deeply grounded in bias and in doing so… offer little information since they are now locked into an agenda and a purpose, and what’s truly problematic about all of this, is the sheer fact, that this is not what documentaries are supposed to stand for.
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They are in fact, supposed to teach us about a particular topic in a manner that is objective and fluid. Free from the trappings of fiction. But thankfully there is some push back regarding that right now. For there are documentarians that are working hard to tell stories that hold to those elements, and it just so happens that a new one on Viaplay offers up objectivity and fact-based teaching to explore the rise and fall of one of the biggest bands to ever grace popular media in Ace of Base: All That She Wants. Which are feats that this documentary/docuseries accomplishes by offering up the most comprehensive look at the band in history. One that leaves no stone unturned, to the point where we are even treated to the humble origins of the band.

Wherein we learn how they basically… stumbled their way into ultra stardom through a desire to make some kickass music, and in turn… that led to years of pop chart domination and the hits we know and love and still turn up loudly when they pop up on the radio or the streaming service of our choice. But it does indeed make a point to explore how the band split and some of the scary stuff they encountered whilst enjoying fame and that is where this documentary separates itself from the rest. Because there was absolutely a chance to use a scary encounter with a fan, and the shifting dynamics of the band to lean into sensationalism and nonsense drama. But instead… the facts are presented as just that, and that allows for an objective understanding of something we don’t discuss enough when it comes to celebrities.

In that, they are people too, and they have wants and desires, and expectations for their careers, and we see that on display. Since we hear first-hand about how hard this journey was at times for some of the band members, about the feelings that were hurt by certain decisions, and yes… what goes through a celebrity’s mind when a crazed fan crosses every line imaginable. Which makes for a supremely engaging documentary. One that removes the mystique behind this band and presents them as the people they are. Which in turn, helps us to understand and appreciate the music they assembled for the world in a different light and helps us to also appreciate the sacrifices made, and the work that went into entertaining the hell out of each and every one of us with the toe-tapping tunes this band created. 

All of which gives rise, to a definitive documentary. One that truly explores the journey toward stardom in a manner that we rarely see in any form of storytelling. Since this documentary informs us that a meteoric rise is indeed rushed and chaotic and powerful, and not for the faint of heart, and that what separates legends from one hit wonders is how a band or an individual artist responds to that rise. For when fame comes calling, it cares not about doubt or thought, it demands the best and that is what Ace of Base answered the call with, and hopefully you take a moment to check this magnificent documentary out. To garner new perspective on a band that truly made its mark on the world, courtesy of their genuine desire to create something special, and courtesy of a documentary that tells their story in an honest and objective manner.  

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