U23D

U23D is the new U2 concert film currently playing in Digital 3D at IMAX theatres around the world.  This is a larger than life experience that will surely convert many to U2.  And this is a must-see or rather must-experience for anyone who rocks to U2.

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. take the stage in a filmed documentary of their U2 Vertigo tour in South America.  Using multiple cameras and 3D digital technology, Owens and Pellington’s film is a no-nonsense concert film condensed from 100 hours of footage.  U23D dispenses with back room talk, show preparation and interviews that normally accompany such band concert films.  Instead the camera shows what it feels like in a stadium packed solid with U2 fans.  As the camera swoops from front with the band members to the back revealing thousands of fans pulsating with the beat of the songs, U23D (U2 concerts usually contains newest innovations) is most likely the best pick to display the use of the new technology.

Most of the familiar U2 songs are performed in the film including the moving ‘One’ translated by Bono as ‘Uno’ in Spanish.  He is granted a few words regarding his social ambition to unite the world in one scene lit by the glow from spectators’ cell phones.

One could argue the pros and cons of attending a live concert with viewing a 3D IMAX filmed version.  For me, a person who hates crowds but has attended a few concerts (ranging from Pink Floyd to Madonna), bypassing obtaining expensive tickets, the hassle of parking and dealing with sweaty obnoxious crowds who smoke up during the show, watching U23D is undoubtedly a better substitute.  Putting on the cool-looking 3D glasses and watching the concert in simulated 3-dimension on a tall 6-storey screen and hearing the familiar U2 songs in 5.1 surround sound is quite the exhilarating experience.  It is indeed a BEAUTIFUL DAY (as U2 performs the song) to experience a U2 concert in the comfort of an IMAX 3D digital movie theatre.