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"I love hymns and gospel music, but the idea of turning your music into a tool for evangelism is missing the point. Music is the language of the spirit anyway." -- Bono |
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"I love hymns and gospel music, but the idea of turning your music into a tool for evangelism is missing the point. Music is the language of the spirit anyway." -- Bono |
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Imax gives U2 another dimension
Sacramento Bee,
January 23, 2008
U2 3D is a straightforward concert film with a high-tech twist, translating the grandiosity of a U2 gig into the Imax 3-D movie experience.
The band literally pops from the screen, so much so that it looks as if the Edge's guitar is going to whack you in the head. All the while, U2 cranks through hits from its Vertigo tour, including "Beautiful Day" and "One," as tens of thousands of sweaty fans go bonkers. Good thing the movie's not in Smell-O-Vision. The first step is to strap on a pair of polarized 3-D glasses, which are sort of fly-guy style instead of those cardboard deals from Jaws 3-D of yesteryear. Then the collective musicianship and egos of U2 burst from a movie screen that's nearly six stories tall -- and in 3-D to boot. With U2's music pumped through 5.1 surround sound, U2 3D is epic to the point that it borders on sensory overload. "Vertigo," indeed. The bulk of the footage was shot during South American shows, including a concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The cameras get right into the crowd at these packed stadiums, and the 3-D enhances the sense of place. From fans' outstretched arms to the masses singing along with "Pride (In the Name of Love)," U2 3D is a chance to enjoy arena rock minus much of the claustrophobia. There's no back story or behind-the-scenes footage in U2 3D. Then again, seeing backstage deli trays in 3-D wouldn't be too exciting. So the band simply steps on stage and rocks in 3-D for about 84 minutes. But if there was anything particularly special about these South American shows, we wouldn't know. U2's performance is still powerful, and the sense of exaltation in the band's music is heightened by the super-duper sound system. U2's version of "Where the Streets Have No Name" is particularly exhilarating, and while the band is getting all epic, it's easy to forget how dorky everyone looks in 3-D glasses. The directors don't lay the 3-D gimmicks on too thick. Apart from a few animated touches and some superimposed images to maximize the 3-D, U2 3D mostly lets the performances and music carry the film. Here's a final tip: Always look at the screen straight on. It may be tempting to lean on your sweetie during "With or Without You," but the images get a bit blurry if your head isn't front and center. © The Sacramento Bee, 2008.
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