'Glee' concert film too short for high ticket prices
Glee is one of those TV shows that people either love or hate. Haters obviously would have no interest in seeing "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie," but die-hard "Gleeks" will likely be pleased with the production.
The 3-D element was overall unnecessary. It was used well in two instances: when performers took the stage alone for solo numbers and when performers walked through aisles in the arena. At times, I felt I was actually in an arena watching a live concert, but taking off my 3-D glasses for a minute and reminded me I was in a movie theater on a Monday afternoon.
Director Kevin Tancharoen chose to have all the performers stay in character in the filmed backstage footage. This choice provided some funny moments, including Rachel (Lea Michele) tearing up after hearing that Barbra Streisand is in the audience and Brittany (Heather Morris) talking about shaving off her hair to become a member of the Dalton Academy Warblers.
The live performance bits were the best parts of the film because they gave the audience a chance to see the raw talent of the various stars without the Auto-Tuned production and second and third takes in the TV show. Michele, a veteran Broadway performer who got her start at 8 years old, was clearly in her element belting "Don't Rain on My Parade" and pairing with Kurt (Chris Colfer) for a duet on "Happy Days Are Here Again." Every performer had a chance to showcase his or her talents through the songs the characters performed on the show and often in the same costumes that were worn on TV. One Oscar-winning guest star even stopped by to sing a Top-40 hit she covered on the show during the second season. Will (Matthew Morrison) was the only main singing cast member who was absent from the tour, as the actor was on his own tour promoting his debut solo album.
The film interspersed stories of three real-life outcasts between songs from the live concert: a high school cheerleader with dwarfism who wins the title of prom princess, a now-19-year-old boy who faced bullying after coming out in eighth grade and a girl with Aspberger syndrome who was able to find a group of friends and gain confidence after seeing "Glee." Although most fans would rather see more of their favorite stars than hear about real-life people, these stories were heartwarming, relatable and brought tears to most of the audience in the theater.
No matter how many special effects are used, watching a concert film can never replace the adrenaline rush and pure joy that comes from being in a large arena and seeing a musical act in person. The "Glee" tour didn't stop in the Carolinas, so filming the show was a great way to get the material to audiences in cities that were neglected on tour.
Even with personal anecdotes from fans, the running time of the entire movie clocks in at only a little over an hour. Considering the $12 ticket price (more expensive than a regular movie due to the 3-D effects), fans who can wait for the DVD release should save their money.