I saw U2 3D two times tonight. I’m nearly speechless, but I think I have enough energy to articulate a few thoughts. Here they are in no particular order – don’t worry, you can read on without me destroying the plot for you.
This movie was everything the reviewers said it would be with regard to the 3D effects (I was very careful NOT to read reviews but I did pick up on that). Nothing gimmicky in this film, just good, creative use of the medium. And there were no double images that usually accompany the 3D genre of films (think Disney: Honey I Shrunk the Audience or Muppets 3D). The 3D is so advanced that it was easy to forget about the 3D glasses I was wearing. U2 and company have really laid the foundation for a new art form at the beginning of the 21st century.
The audio was mixed very well, though I would have liked much more sub frequency and a bit louder. That would have given it a more realistic concert feel. On the other hand, I’m not sure I would want to expose my kids to anything more than what we experienced. But the mix was the treasure. Several times I looked sideways to see who was singing. Bono and The Edge were often in stereo. Voices and instruments seemed to come from the appropriate places on the stage. And the crowd… what was lost in the volume was made up for in the crowd. There were occasions when I felt like asking the person in front of me to stop waving their arms around only to realize there was nobody sitting in front of me. (When I saw it at 5:00 PM there were only about 20 of us in the IMAX.)
The filming and the staging were nearly identical to our experience at the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu in December of 2007. This is perhaps one of the strongest features of the film. The only chance Americans had to see the Vertigo tour in an outdoor stadium was in Hawaii at the final show (unless they were out of the country). This is reason enough to go see the IMAX film: to experience an evening concert in a stadium. And the viewer is not in the nose-bleed section. You’re right there on the ramp and, even better, on the stage. I’m so glad the producers gave priority to deep and long pans of the audience (the pulley system they used with the IMAX cameras must have been a first).
Finally, the set. It was a stellar package of songs. I won’t dive into details so I don’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen the movie yet. However, there certainly were standout moments: a passionate plea to “wipe your tears away;” a beautiful reading of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights (when the statement about torture came up there were many audible affirmations coming from the crowd I was with at the second viewing); a performance of “One” that brought out cell phones both on and off the screen. But the best moment came with yet another rendition of “The Fly.” There is a lengthy post brewing in my soul on this song (it’s been building for a couple of years now) so I’ll simply say that what ZooTV did for the original version of “The Fly,” U2 3D does for this version. “The Fly” was made for three dimensions.
One last thought/comment/suggestion. If you see the movie, do not walk out on the credits. Simple. Profound. Beautiful. Art and word and song and scripture.
One final last thought: we’ve never seen so much of Larry! It was such fun!
Let me know what you think about the film. Love and Peace (or Else).
Okay, now I'm even MORE excited! Friday night cannot come soon enough.
Posted by: Steve S. | January 24, 2008 at 01:22 PM
The show was incredible!! If I wasn't sick I would have stayed for the 11:30pm showing. The only thing I was a little bummed about was that they didn't play City of Blinding Lights. I thought for sure they would have played it since it is such a big hit on the Vertigo tour-oh well.
It was amazing to see fingerprints on The Edge's guitar, a zit on Bono's face, and Adam's nostrils flaring. I thought the camera on Larry was outstanding! It was difficult though to sit on my seat while the band was playing. I might have to go in the very back and stand on Friday.
The show reminded me of the concert in Hawaii. Of course it could never have measured up to the concert except maybe it being just as long. But for the distance and the price, it could not have gotten better.
Love and peace!
Posted by: Craig | January 24, 2008 at 04:43 PM
Hey Craig,
I agree, it was very realistic and incredibly similar to the Hawaii show. However, I didn’t get the emotional punch that I get at a live U2 concert. They really sanitized and edited out most of Bono’s dialogue with the audience. There was no discussion of the ONE campaign, the plight of Africa of a host of other issues in South America where the concert was filmed. On the other hand, there were still subtle messages, most of which were delivered through the music and staging. That was cool! It’s a little like letting the bible speak for itself without a whole lot of commentary or interpretation. I did miss Bono’s contextualizations though. I realize the producers were packaging this film for a popular audience and needed lots of the most popular music.
I might have to join you and Steve in the back row on Friday!
Tim
Posted by: Tim | January 24, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Great to see you, Tim, at the early show. That was the lowest attended of any U2 concert I have ever been to.
I will log my thoughts tomorrow.
We talked about the Fly text. It seems naby nights in Latin Am, it slso said:
The secret is BEHIND YOU
The secret is INVISIBLE NOW
The secret is LOUD ENOUGH
THE SECRET IS WHAT YOU never want to see/never want to hear/never want to believe
I thinks this video is the previous night in Argentina:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwHW4f47kOw
Craig (sorry I missed you (and about ya being sick). Yeah, it was amazing it felt complete without "City". Here are the setlist from the main night of the filming...man we missed a few gems .makes you want to visit the cutting room floor.
City Of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Until The End Of The World, New Year's Day, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, The First Time, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love And Peace Or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday / Rock The Casbah (snippet), Bullet The Blue Sky / When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet) / The Hands That Built America (snippet), Miss Sarajevo, Pride (In The Name Of Love), Where The Streets Have No Name, One
encores: Zoo Station, The Fly, Mysterious Ways, With Or Without You, Fast Cars, Yahweh, All I Want Is You, Love Is Blindness
Posted by: dave wainscott | January 24, 2008 at 09:09 PM
ps Craig
Here is City of Blinding Lights from that night...in 1D:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7t4-2DYVgU
Posted by: d | January 24, 2008 at 09:15 PM
I really think every viewing experience should be as phenomenal as last nights'. I loved just being with a group of people unafraid to wear ridiculous glasses, bob, scream, clap, and squeal just like I did all throughout the set.
Yes, the new version of "The Fly" was fantastic! Very ZooTV-reminiscient but with an updated feel... One of my favorite moments was soaking in the voice of the UN Declaration of Rights narrator - an Asian woman. I am continually reminded of the fact that U2 is so intentional about touching every culture they can, every individual they can in the face of an industry that plays primarily for an audience that will boost their own status.
Seeing "Where the Streets Have No Name" with South American flags instead of African flags was a great shift. I was delighted to see it's still the song in which Bono displays his affection for Adam. That always makes me teary-eyed. And... did you catch the Wojnarowicz buffalo at the very end of "One"? That got me teary as well.
Good show, good people. Thanks for letting us know!
(Craig - this is a little greeting from someone employed by your friend Becky Kruse. I've heard great things about you! I didn't officially meet you at the show, but we have this shared experience. : )
Posted by: jessica, jah | January 25, 2008 at 12:41 AM