U2 3D Reviews

Our Review

An easy watch for music lovers

Monica Tan, MovieFix

If you've ever left a concert with nothing but an eyeful of armpit from the row standing in front of you, you may be interested in the series of films coming to the IMAX big screen that bring new meaning to the phrase "up close and personal".

“U2 3D” is the first live-action concert film to be shot and screened using digital 3D technology. Taken from several Latin American shows from U2's 2006 Vertigo tour, this is the Irish band like you've never seen them before. Blown up big and in 3D, there's a heightened sense of immersion never before experienced on the silver screen.

Best of all, you can make like a ghost, rising above the audience to hover right next to the band, seeing the beads of sweat dripping down Bono's cheek or making out the guitar riff being ripped by the Edge. Although they're playing to thousands, there's something oddly humbling and intimate about being so close to the band and realising they are but four men, gracefully conducting an entire, raucous stadium of energy.

Bono apparently chose to film the Latin American concerts as he felt the passion of the audiences there matched the passion of those from his home country. And when the camera does swoop over and dip into the audience, the excitement sizzles and the love from the audience, who sing every word, emanates in waves.

It's a kind of ecstasy that should be familiar to any big concert goer and is normally very difficult to capture on screen. And the kind of love generated by the peace-promoting songs of U2 is particularly moving.

While this will be an easy watch for any music lover, it goes without saying that U2 fans will come away with the best experience. In fact it's safe to say this is a must-see for anyone who has ever owned a U2 album or been to one of their concerts - you've never experienced 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' or 'Beautiful Day' quite like this.

And stay tuned for the Hannah Montana and Rolling Stones concert films also coming to the IMAX big screen!

Your Reviews

Joanne Lewis

I was fortunate to attend the Vertigo concert, but I was too squashed to truly appreciate it. To those who missed out, this is the closest you are going to get to the live experience. The biggest advantage of seeing it in 3D is that you don't get stomped on in the mosh pitt. I am really grateful to U2 for giving permission for all this footage to be compiled. It would have been an arduous task as there would have been many great performances to choose from. To be this up close and personal was awesome.

Dino

A must see for U2 fans or fans of rock concerts movies. This movie sets the new standard. For me the whole idea of watching a rock concert on film is being able to see everything that's going on as opposed to being 102 rows back battling to see past the sea of heads and arms. U23D gives the best seat in the house and then goes beyond. Definitely recommend IMAX for this movie if possible. After watching this movie it will be hard to go back to watching a concert in 2D where you get 3 or 4 cameras uninspiringly pointed at the stage. You get every vantage point in 3D. From standing in the crowd to looking over the Edge's shoulder, to face to face with Bono as he sings literally to you. You could reach out and poke him in the eye if he wasn’t wearing those shades. The sound is excellent and the 3D effects aren't over done and increase throughout the movie. With the movie being filmed over 7 or so shows they have made no attempt to hide that fact and actually use it to the movies advantage. Having watched the Vertigo show in person, this movie is almost as good and maybe even better in some ways. Definitely preferred not waiting 13 hours in line to get in! U2 fans may be a little disappointed with the set list but it’s very hard to fit in all the favourites. The dozen odd songs is about the right length to please both U2 fans or otherwise. Don’t walk out as the credits role as there is one more song under the credits.

Add a review

My Rating

Name

Movie Buzz

Last:

24 hours

7 days

The most anticipated movies on MovieFix

Biggest Movers

What is Movie Buzz?

MovieBuzz rates which movies are trending within the MovieFIX community.

You can choose if you "Want to see" or are "Not Interested" in seeing the movie on the Homepage trailer player, or in the Movie Information page. After 20 votes, we tally these scores and create a percentage of how many people "Want to see" that movie.

We then take these scores and display the highest percentages in MovieBuzz. MovieBuzz only features movies from their trailer release to two weeks after they have released in cinemas. You can see the rankings on a 24 hour or a 7 day basis (use the radio buttons near the title to switch views).