Review of U2 3D (2008) by Alan W — 01 Mar 2008

Having not listened to a U2 CD in a very long time and having never been tempted to embrace the concept of sitting through a film wearing 3D glasses (on top of prescription glasses!) itâ??s hard to know what to really expect from the bandâ??s new concert film.

U2 fans (or music fans in general) should probably be familiar with the bandâ??s history of creating a phenomenal atmosphere combined with new media and live performance, as seen by their previous Joshua Tree (documented in their last film outing Rattle and Hum), Zoo TV, Popmart and Elevation tours.

This film on the other hand may sound gimmicky but itâ??s actually quite simple: filmed straight from their latest Vertigo tour at Buenos Aires, the 3D experience brings Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.

right before your eyes, and in the throng of thousands of passionate fans. The gig is captured brilliantly from band close-ups, lower angle, birdâ??s eye views and panoramic sweeps of the stadium but the 3D aspect is to some extent producing an effect that doesnâ??t draw too much attention to itself.

We donâ??t get Bono trying to leap out of the screen or pointing at the camera, at more times you just get that wonderful feeling that you can reach out to touch those drums Larry bangs through or that the water flying off someoneâ??s bottle might splash over you.

What the 3D technology and a great surround system does (and any good cinema would make sure their speakers for this film are operating at their peak) is immerse you into the gig and enjoy U2 playing classics like Sunday Bloody SUnday, Pride, Where The Streets Have No Name, One and The Fly, like you were really there.

Also renowned for their astounding light shows and set designs, the 3D effects splice well into the gig, from the looming red lights at the start to the understatedly powerful Co-Exist message that the film chooses to end on.

When the concert ends the experience leaves you in thrall to remind you how important and outstanding U2 have remained as a band for the last three decades, and how this was in fact all experienced in a dark little theatre on a screen.

But what magic the screen has!