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Title: U2 3D
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| CONSUMER ADVICE |
Parents will want to take note that a few of the songs in this movie drop a curse word here and there, and there are bold political statemens made despite the G rating. Nevertheless, this should be fine for most kids. |
Who stands six stories high and manages to make facial hair look sexy? Why, none other than Bono of course. You may have heard of him; he’s the lead singer for a popular rock band called U2. Fairly successful band when you get down to it. They have number one singles, multi-platinum albums, and a few Grammy’s under their belt. Now they have an IMAX movie, appropriately named “U2 3D.” Because it’s, you know, U2 singing in 3D. Though the title is catchy and thought of 3D tempting, this is a movie for people who are fans of U2. “U2 3D” is pure music, pure style, and pure noise. For the price of an IMAX ticket you get to see U2 bigger then life, in dimensions that you never thought you’d see them in.
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Considering most U2 concert tickets will cost you $200 at minimum, this is a bargain. Throughout the eighty-five minute film, the band sings roughly fourteen of their songs. Considering I’m somewhat of a casual fan of the band, I think I recognized about three of them. Still, even though most of the songs were new to me, the energy that comes from this band performing them is enough to keep you interested in them. Bono sings with such a passion, you wonder why the guy hasn’t departed for a solo career by now. The other band members do much less of the singing, but watching them interact with Bono during each performance shows they are just as important to the show as he is.
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This is the forth concert movie I’m seen on IMAX by now. If you want to see a concert show, then IMAX is the place to see it. The screen is so big, you may actually be able to read the security guards ID badge. While the size of the screen does make a difference, the slick 3D is the extra layer of whipped cream. Lights blind your eyes, smoke surrounds you, and people in the audience get in your way in front of you. The IMAX speakers insure that you feel like you are in the front row seat of the concert. My favorite moments of the concert were of those where weird art and text popped out from the screen, giving the movie an almost surreal experience. Though the 3D is nice, you wish there was more done with it, as most of the movie focuses on Bono, walking on stage like he was the sexiest thing on the planet.
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Getting back to the movie itself though, I spend so much time talking about technical aspects because this is a concert film is the most literal sense. There is no history of the band, no behind-the-scenes footage, and nothing to help you if you have no idea who U2 is. Not even an explanation for who came up with the name U2. Once the title logo goes away, it’s time for the show to begin. Likewise, an upcoming documentary about a Rolling Stones concert that was documented by Academy Award winning director Martin Scoresese is due to be released in IMAX in a few months. Chances are if you’re a real music buff, that’s the movie you’ll want to see instead. Even if it ditches the 3D effect.
Side Note: I want to also point out that while I have been to many concerts at IMAX and regular theaters, "U2 3D" is the only concert movie I went to where the audience was shockingly silent. Most of the time these events feel like real events, with people singing along to their favorite songs, clapping their hands, and acting like...well, acting like they're at a real concert. At the screening I attending the audience was stiff, silent, and there was no energy in the room to be found. I don't know what that says about U2 themselves, but there you go.
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