May 05, 2008
U2 3D

U2 art director Catherine Owens has made her directorial debut, with the help of co-director Mark Pellington to create the first live-action film shot, produced, and screened exclusively with new digital 3-D technology using as many as 18 cameras at a time, and were edited together to create an 85 minute film featuring a 14-song performance. Following 1988’s Rattle and Hum, it is U2’s second theatrically released film. And what a film it is.

U2 has certainly broke new ground with this concert film on a few levels. Most importantly U2 has revitalized the passion of their music and performance with an over zealous Argentina stadium crowd. The band members are certainly on fire throughout. Even the usually reserved bassist, Adam Clayton is more animated than ever before.

The lighting effects are so wonderful in the 3D world and really take on a concert of their own at times especially with the hugeness of the large pixel screen behind the band. At one point in the film it looks like the pixeled images from the screen are on stage with real members. Very nice effect.

With the 3D I was expecting more in-your-face effects (Which happened throughout Hannah Montana in 3D). There are several great moments with Adam’s bass going right out at you or The Edge’s mike stand. There is one point where Bono reaches his hand out to you. That was mostly it. Even if this film was shot in regular 35mm it would still be a great concert film. If anyone has never seen a U2 concert make this ‘the’ opportunity to not miss out on.

The setlist is missing a few of my personal favorites but overall it is still jam packed with hits. In fact one of the best moments of the concert is an album track from How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb called Love and Peace or Else. Larry Mullen Jr. bangs away on a drum on the runway center even signing the chorus with Bono.
An impassioned Sunday Bloody Sunday is where Bono wears his ‘coexist’ headband to save the world by uniting “Jesus, Jew, Mohamed”.

This film also features probably the best vocal given by Bono that I’ve ever heard on Miss Sarajevo because he fills in for Pavorotti and holds out notes we didn’t think he was capable of. You’re just left feeling “Wow.” Yet another highlight and it’s during a quieter moment of the show.

The opening song of the encore is The Fly but as it starts up there is a guitar malfunction. Bono even comments on it as they restart the song. It’s interesting that they kept this Spinal Tap moment in the final edits for the film release. It’s cool they are showing that they are just a normal as we are and have every day screw-ups even if it’s in a stadium of crazed fans. That’s another great thing that pushes the concert along. The South American audiences seem to know how to rock more than anywhere else on earth.

I am a someone who has seen U2 eight times on various tours (Zoo T.V. is still their best) and even spoke to Bono while he held my hand so I think I am qualified enough to judge that this is ‘the’ rock n roll movie of 2008. Beyond that it is a true visionary passionate experience performance of more than one experience.

1. “Vertigo” 2. “Beautiful Day” 3. “New Year’s Day” 4. “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” 5. “Love and Peace or Else” 6. “Sunday Bloody Sunday” 7. “Bullet the Blue Sky” 8. “Miss Sarajevo” / Reading of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 9. “Pride (In the Name of Love)” 10. “Where the Streets Have No Name” 11. “One” Encore 12. “The Fly” 13. “With or Without You”

End credits 14. “Yahweh”

Other POV articles
Previously: Rolling Stones Shine a Light in IMAX
Next: One Night with Paris... in Montreal

Your Comments

Name		Remember
E-mail
Website
Message
	Textile Help