U23D - ** Spoiler Alert **
DO NOT READ THIS AWESOME, INCREDIBLY DETAILED FAN REVIEW IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT "U23D"
If you are weak and have no will power, please enjoy this great description from Deb in Sacramento, who just came back from a benefit screening tonight at the Esquire IMAX Theater:
1/21/2008 - U23D in Sacramento; CARES Benefit Preview
Overview:
With no ongoing U2 tour, you may have recently felt your U2 fervor fade. U23D will fix ya right up. One warning: front row at U2 concerts may never be enough again. I remember on night two, Oakland, Vertigo, Cindy and I were up front, and at one point Edge stood directly in front of and over us, and Bono joined him there for awhile (See photo on myspace). Cindy grabbed me and said "now I can die happy." That's what U23D is like.
Anyone who's made that mad dash for the front row may be disturbed by the opening sequence; the tension is very authentic. (Don't worry, you will be able to go to the bathroom and get back to your spot) So is the excitement of the "Every One!" echoing through the dark.
First up, Vertigo, naturally. Unfortunately, in this Buenos Aires concert, Bono descends rather than climbs up onto the stage. Cool though, we descend with him. The 3D effects put you in the crowd at times, with confetti being thrown rather than falling. Yes, Bono is in your space! Very close up and great detail. But we've all seen Bono in the crowd before... what blew me away was the first hovering shot of Larry and his drum set! There's a box of tissue sitting next to him with his beverage... and it really seems you could just pick up a tissue.
Vertigo
Beautiful Day - this is where I became fixated on the ring hanging on Edge's microphone. It's not a wedding ring and it's not there during a couple of songs. Is it some kind of pick?
New Years Day
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Have to say, you're almost too close to Bono during this one. It feels a little like you've entered HIS personal space.
Love And Peace (Or Else) - ABSOLUTELY AMAZING
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky - OK if there are non-U2 fans in your audience, expect a little laughter during this one. I was at a charity benefit and most of the people there had never been to a U2 concert. During the "when johnny comes marching home" bit, when Bono starts crawling around blindfolded, there were more than a few chuckles.
Miss Sarajevo - Bono sounds GREAT, in fact the sound on this is really surprising. I couldn't tell if it had been technically adjusted for the film, or if it was increased reverb for Bono's vocal acrobatics.
Pride (In the Name Of Love) - One great thing about the film is the shots of the crowd. I know that's surprising since we all want to stare at Edge's guitar, but I wept watching the crowd during a couple of songs. This was one of them.
Where The Streets Have No Name - And this has an AWESOME bit where the crowd is jumping up and down... and in 3D it's like a wave effect.
One - Very cool opening since, as you all know, the cell phones are lit up in the beginning of this song. That looks great in 3D. The sound on the bass is fantastic.
Then there's a bit of a break where you get that sinking feeling that... oh no, they're not going away are they? NO NO ... Here comes the baby... "ma ma, ma ma.." and the music seems to be a mash-up of Zoo Station and The Fly. Some technical difficulties seem to ensue... but then they launch into a great version of...
The Fly - I will say that the 3D letters and words, etc. are kind
of in the way of the band.
With Or Without You - Again, not usually one of my favorite songs but the SOUND is great and the CROWD is awesome. Now I see the beauty of this song for it's crowd participation!! And Bono gets so into it!!
The credits begin, but don't get up!!! DO NOT GET UP!! Some great artwork a la Vertigo liner notes (or whatever they call them these days).... leads into:
Yahweh
Somewhere between Where the Streets Have No Name and One, I started contemplating how/when I would most appropriately quit my job in order to follow the band around for the next tour... 2009ish? And if I have a kid via a.i., as I've planned, and that schedule stays on track... I would have a 6 month old during the tour? Hm. Procreation, or following U2? Would it be neglectful parenting to take a baby to follow U2? People bring kids to the concerts all the time.
I also decided that I DO want to be a female Edge. I DO want to play the guitar.
I had moments of loving my fellow U2 fans during the movie. Odd, because I went to the preview alone and got in line next to two fans who had cut in front of me and Cindy at the rail in Honolulu. We had met one of them before that, in San Jose I think... and then in Hawaii he pretended he didn't recognize us. "I'm just going to sign the banner.... up front there, just need to sign the banner and I'll leave." He didn't leave. Well, maybe in the spirit of U2 and U2 fans worldwide, I'm going to continue to be friendly with them as if I don't remember that they then stood in our spots at the rail the rest of the show.
See? U23D just renews your U2 mania, and you leave, once again, in love with the band and your fellow fans.
I'm still catching flies.
Temping....
for not missing school!
