GLEE THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE (2011)

Genre: Musical
Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Cast: Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, Chord Overstreet, Darren Criss, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris, Harry Shum Jr., Ashley Fink
RunTime: 1 hr 24 mins
Released By: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual References)
Official Website: http://www.facebook.com/Glee3DMovie

Opening Day: 1 September 2011

Synopsis: The multi-generational phenomenon that has inspired millions to embrace their inner-Gleek will soon bring them together to experience Glee a whole new way.

Movie Review:

It’s as simple as this: Do any of these names ring a bell to you? Quinn Fabray, Rachel Berry, Blaine Anderson, Kurt Hummel. No? How about these? Mercedes Jones, Brittany Pierce, Artie Abrams, Santana Lopez. If your face lights up with, err, glee at every mention of these names, then this 3D concert is a must watch for you. If you, like this reviewer, have no clue why this American comedy drama TV series is all the rage, you can, like this reviewer, step into the theatres and don those 3D glasses to experience the phenomenon that took a whole generation by storm yourself.

The movie is a recording of the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour, performed by the members of the cast from the popular TV series. The tour was, of course, produced due to the overwhelming response from the series about a high school glee club competing in choir competitions while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues.

Here, fans can hear songs from the show’s first and second seasons (the reason why you have to sing along in the cinema is because the concert never travelled to Singapore, get it?) and see some behind the scenes footage. Also, the movie also intertwines interviews with teenagers from New Jersey to portray the positive influence of the musical drama series on young people.

Before talking about the Kevin Tancharoen directed movie, let’s look at the rising popularity of concert movies. Remember Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience (2009), Michael Jackson’s This Is It (2009) and more recently, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)? And productions of such genre not screened in local mainstream cinemas include Shine a Light (2008), U2 3D (2008) and Hannah Montana/ Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour (2008). Plus, we have upcoming 3D concerts featuring Mayday from Taiwan, Super Junior from Korea and Ayumi Hamasaki from Japan.

Seems like someone out there has milked this genre really well, and with the advent of 3D technology, the filmmakers (we are pretty sure the purists will not refer to them with this term) promise their viewers a “up close and personal” experience with their favourite stars. So what’s there not to enjoy about concert movies?

In this case, if you are a fan of the series created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, you would be enjoying every minute of this 84 minute production. Yes, you are a certified Gleek if you find yourself singing along to “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “Born This Way”, “River Deep – Mountain High”, “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and every other song in the movie. As one can see, this movie is a guaranteed field day for Gleeks.

For the rest of us, it’s really about understanding why the series is such a hit with teenagers. You’ll hear from young people dealing with homosexuality (cue the PG13 rating!), Asperger syndrome (significant difficulties in social interaction) and a short stature. They talk about how the TV show has made them realise that they are not the only ones alone fighting the battle of being different, and how they have gradually begun to accept themselves. Inter cut these sequences with songs and dance filmed during the North American leg of the concert tour, and you get an extremely feel good movie that non Gleeks will enjoy – even if the bulky 3D glasses aren’t that comfortable.

Movie Rating:

(A must watch for Gleeks - For the rest of us, it’s really about stepping into the cinema to enjoy 84 minutes of feel good moments)

Review by John Li