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Movie Review: Glee -- The 3D Concert Movie

Heather Morris and Amber Riley

Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Stars: Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Amber Riley, Heather Morris

Rated: PG
Genre(s): Documentary, Music
Release Date: August 12, 2011
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 62%


  


"Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" can hardly be considered to be aimed towards anything but a specific audience: those who call themselves "Gleeks" (i.e. are obessed with the hit television show). The film was shot on the show's North American tour and features the concert itself, in addition to visibly staged behind-the-scenes footage of the cast (as their characters) prepping for the show. 

The movie also focuses on three young people who are attending the concert, who explain how Glee has impacted their lives: an optimistic dwarf who is one of the most popular girls at school and is asked out to a dance by a football player, a once-sullen woman with Asperger's who has been able to make friends through her extreme interest in "Glee", and a young gay man who was was inspired by "Glee" character Kurt's (Chris Colfer) openness with sexuality. They all seem to express the same sentiment, which is that our differences are only differences, and nothing more. They should not deter anyone from achieving what he/she yearns to achieve. This is a statement that is difficult to debate, regardless how one feels regarding the show's impact.

Perhaps "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy, who also co-produced the film, hoped that the inclusion of true-life stories would increase overall interest in the movie. However, with the unfortunate absence of Emmy winner Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester - the love-to-hate-her former cheerleading coach who has always despised the Glee Club - the much-needed spark and wit that the show provides is missing. To viewers who are not fans of the show this lack of engaging hilarity may cause the film to appear terminally boring.

The concert itself features many of the songs that received the most iTunes downloads, including the cast's well-known performance of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and newcomer Darren Criss' version of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream."

The backdrops and visual effects are impeccable, and seeing them in 3D makes the audience feel as if they are truly at the concert, until, of course, the camera cuts away from the stage. Fans of the show who may have been unable to go to a concert can satisfy their summer "Glee" cravings with songs that feature the talented cast members. As is the case on the show, Lea Michele, who plays the conceited yet good-natured diva Rachel, is the focus. She wows with yet another performance of "Don't Rain On My Parade", from "Funny Girl", and easily overtakes the demure Cory Monteith on "Don't Stop Believin'".  But the others have their moments, and even Gwyneth Paltrow shows up to perform her famous rendition of Cee-Lo Green's "Forget You" (which is arguably even better the original).
With the plethora of young children in attendance, one would assume that the sexual dance moves and sensual-lyriced songs would have been removed, or at least toned down. Unfortunately, inappropriate dancing is visible throughout, especially in Heather Morris' rendition of Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U", in which Morris dons a barely-there replica of Spears' original outfit.

It would have been much more exciting to see the cast be themselves, rather than continue as their characters. While we laugh at their antics, it seems to almost be a plug for season three of the show. Yet, instances such as Rachel's shocked yet happy-to-tears reaction when he hears that Streisand will apparently be attending her show remind fans why they fell in love with the show and with the characters in the first place.


Grade: B-



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