U2 3D (2007) by Rae

Directed by: Catherine Owens/Mark Pellington

Filmed in Latin America on stops from their “Vertigo” tour, U2 3D employs the greatest number of 3D cameras used on a single project to date. Unlike 1988’s Rattle and Hum, this is a straight up film recording of the concert. There are no documentary style breaks taking us backstage or around town with the band members. However, with the use of the new IMAX and 3D technology, this turns into and experience that is supposed to replicate the feeling of actually being there with the crowd, the music and the musicians during the concert. And on that level, this film succeeds above and beyond what I could ever have imagined I would see in my lifetime!

On a musical level, as a concert U2 3D is amazing, but then again, it is U2. The boys from Ireland have definitely still got it. (Not to suggest that they ever lost it.) The song selections are from across their repertoire, pleasing both older and younger fans alike. Bono is seemingly tireless in his energy onstage and the musicianship of The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. is flawless as usual. The visuals images are rendered on a huge backdrop of individual monitors spanning the entire length of the stage and extending high into the rafters. This particular use of technology will not be new to U2 concert fans, but in this case it is used purely to enhance both the music and the ever present socio-political message of the band, without ever being overwhelming of the music, which should be the main focus of any concert. The “wall” never becomes over intrusive or pushy and works well as a “wow” factor in the visual display of the music. Overall, you want to tap your feet, get up and sing along, and that is a good thing.

As a film, I was also considerably impressed. At its most basic, we are simply looking at footage of U2 on stage. However, with multiple cameras and editing involved it is possible to do things you would not see standing in the audience at the actual show. The use of fade ins, wipes, superimposed graphics, and the like, are all expertly done to enhance the experience and create great moods and pictures without taking away from the music at all. There are several effective examples, but one of the best is when Bono is out on one of the arms of the stage that juts way out in the audience. In black and white, he is being projected on the wall behind the rest of the band on the main stage. Through the cameras the directors are able to get an angle that makes it look as if the black and white Bono is standing next to, but slightly behind The Edge, looking over his shoulder as he plays the heck out of the guitar solo. Another standout is during “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” when there is a huge animated “father figure” on one half of the wall and Bono on the other. Very moving.

As a new technology, this use of Digital 3D could change the nature of the concert experience as we now know it. That is, if it can make it over a few hurdles. I have seen at least four other films now that use the IMAX 3D format, but they have all been animated. While Disney’s use of the technology makes for a great special effect, this is the most affective use of the technology I have seen thus far. Never shy about embracing new technology it is really no surprise that U2 would sign on to be the first to try this new form of entertainment, and they have what it takes as a band to actually pull it off. The whole use of a huge picture, a great IMAX Theater sound system and the 3D cameras do make it seem like you are at a concert. There are even some shots that place you in the audience, with dozens of hands waving right in front of your face and Bono only feet away. This could be great for anyone who can’t afford what seems to amount to hundreds of dollars anymore for good seats at a real concert or for those fans living in the middle of nowhere without a major concert arena within a hundred miles. You just pack up a carload of your best buddies, head to the nearest IMAX, pay $12 a person and rock out like you are there! And believe me; with the right audience you will feel it. The technology is definitely the next step in entertainment and could presumably bring many different bands from around the world to places and people they might never physically reach.

Unfortunately, the hurdles that have to be overcome may end up killing this new experience before it ever really gets off the ground. The first problem lies in the fact that there is not an IMAX on every corner. The process of making a film in this format is still so expensive that there are few bands that could make this viable from a profit/loss perspective. Not that U2 was really looking to profit from this experiment, but, let’s face it, most bands and producers do want a return on their all mighty dollar. Which leads to another hurdle; the band itself. Usually you go to a concert and even in the front row you are close, but not that close or concentrated on any one aspect of the show at a time. With these new cameras, everything is focused right in your face and right in the performer’s face as well. Whoever chooses to have a concert filmed this way can have absolutely no reservations. Your audience will see every single drop of sweat, every wrinkle on an aging rocker, every lip-synch misstep, every tiny eye movement, every small expression of “oops I think I may have flubbed that one,” and be able to hear every missed note. U2 is good enough to stand up to that kind of scrutiny. However, I can count on less than one hand the number of other performers who could say the same. The third new hurdle is the blurring of the line between concert and film. Now, when you go into a movie, you turn off your cell phones and sit politely and quietly until the end so that every person in the theater can enjoy the experience. At a concert you stand up in your seat, jump up and down and sing along with every word. IMAX theater owners may have to help write a whole new set of “rules” for these screenings to make it effective enough to keep everyone coming back for the next experience and the next.

But, what an experience it is!!

So whether U2 3D is the first of many new concert experiences to come, or already the last of a dying breed, no one should miss their chance to experience it for themselves. An excellent night at the movies/concert/….well, you get the picture.