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U2 could sit back and do nothing else for the remainder of their career and they would still go down as one of the most legendary bands of all time. They have done it all. In and out of the realm of music. But their innovation goes a step further this week as they release the new concert film, U2 3D. No, this does not stand for some random coed dorm room number. It means exactly what you would expect. U2 in 3 dimensional glory. 

U2 3D will be exhibited in close to 1,000 theaters around the world equipped with digital-projection systems from Real D, the world leader in 3D digital theater systems and will also be seen in the IMAX 3D format. Which is where I had a chance to see it. Taken from their Vertigo tour, the film is a concert experience. Nothing more, nothing less. That is where I had a problem with it. I was hoping for something along the lines of Rattle and Hum, unquestionably one of the grandest of all music documentaries. Granted, I am sure the camera setup and filming of random footage for 3D use would be
close to impossible but I wanted more than just 85 minutes of music. Even U2 music. Because in the end all you actually have is a concert film. As a U2
fan I have all of their concert DVD's and so for me this was nothing new. Sure it seemed like you could reach out and touch the band and Bono literally reaches out and "wipes all your tears away". But after 10 or 15 minutes it gets sort of old. How many times can I ooo and ahh in regards to the feeling of grabbing The Edge's mic stand? 

But now let me tell you what did excite me about this. The future. My hope is that this will pave the way for all future concert films. Bands like Pink
Floyd or the led Zeppelin reunion tour. For all the cities that miss it, this would be the next best thing. Granted nothing can replace the live concert arena with the screaming and sweating and the ringing ears days later. But this could be a nice replacement if no other options are available. I went to the screening with a friend of mine who is a huge U2 fan but has never had the chance to see them live in concert. For him it was a great experience. And that is what this should be.

If you have the chance to see it in your area, it is worth the ticket price, if and only if, you go into it as a huge fan wanting to experience another
element of U2. If you are curious only about the visual appeal and could care less about the band or the music you will more than likely be
disappointed.  

Matt Mungle (1/23/08)

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and co-hosts a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies, with his wife Cindy.
For additional reviews, interview clips and great DVD giveaways, visit the website www.mungleshow.com

Review copyright 2008 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.