U2 3D - A-

[Guest review - Dentist]
In IMAX theaters. Rated G, 90 minutes. Trailer.

I must readily admit that when I first learned of the idea of a U2 concert filmed entirely in 3D, I was less than enthused. The kitschy, over-produced way I thought the film may turn out to be loomed large in the back of my mind. The band (and let’s be honest, specifically, Bono) has long proclaimed themselves as being culturally relevant and pushing the edges of artistic expression through constantly “re-inventing” themselves. Lauded by some, pilloried by others, they have managed to largely accomplish this. In their most recent offering, U2 3D, they have accomplished it in spades. The concert was filmed on the South American leg of the Vertigo tour in 2006 and contains footage culled from separate concerts in Santiago, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Mexico City.

Click below for the rest of U23D.

Shot entirely in high definition, the concert begins with the familiar chanting crescendo of “Everyone” and then launches into a blistering version of “Vertigo”. It’s at this point that you first realize you are bearing witness to a truly mesmerizing and revolutionary concert experience. Anyone who has attended a U2 show can attest to the intimate and almost spiritual nature of their concerts, no matter how expansive or small the setting. The experience can be exponentially multiplied for those lucky few who have paid the exorbitant prices and braved the hours of waiting, wanting and jockeying for position to secure the most coveted of spots close enough to see the beads of sweat on Bono’s brow (those of you who have spent any amount of time near a b-stage, heart or ellipse know what I’m talking about). Being close to rock idols like Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry is one thing; being within arms length and on stage with them is another altogether. This is the surreal feeling you have when watching the film.

The sensory utopia you feel is made possible through excellent direction in part by Catherine Owens, who incidentally was also part of the brainchild that put together the mind-numbing graphical masterpiece of Zoo TV as well as lending a hand to the Popmart and Vertigo designs as well. The smooth transitions and perfectly placed close-ups allow for a very enjoyable ride, unlike the choppy hand-held feel that director Hamish Hamilton had lent to several recent commercially released U2 filmed concert efforts. From the opening shot of Larry at his kit, feeling like I could reach out and grab his drumstick, to ducking to avoid the swing of Adam’s bass to feeling like I could reach out and grab Bono’s hand, I swore I was watching these guys live and in the flesh. Close enough that I now know how Larry likes to keep his drink just to his right behind his drum kit, Bono has a small freckle on his face that I never knew was there and The Edge really does have particularly angular facial features. You simply could never buy a concert ticket that would provide the same experience.

The film is further bolstered by the crystal clear digital audio that is perfectly mixed with just the right amount of crowd noise, further cementing in your mind that you truly are at a live concert. The film includes such recognizable hits as “New Year’s Day”, “With or Without You” and “Pride (In the Name of Love)”, showcasing songs from the “War” album all the way through 2005’s “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb”. I particularly enjoyed the raw emotion evident in Bono’s eyes in “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own”, a ballad penned to his late father, Bob Hewson. Also, the Zoo TV slot machine bit, launching into the grunge distorted version of “The Fly”, complete with “Everything You Know is Wrong”-style words flying right at your face was absolute greatness. My favorite part, however, was a touching version of “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, complete with Bono reaching out to “wipe your tears away”—absolutely brilliant. It’s not that these songs are that much different from versions performed at shows I saw in Dallas and Las Vegas on the last tour, it’s the adaptation to 3D that allows these songs to project bigger and greater than you ever thought possible.

The film suffers, in my opinion, from being on the short side. At just under 90 minutes long, it’s about an hour shorter than a typical U2 concert and there are several glaring omissions that veteran fans will surely miss. However, for the one and a half hours that you are in the theater, you will most certainly gain a new appreciation for the music and certainly the art form, whether you’re a fan of the band or not.