The best in Washington, DC things to do, entertainment, nightlife, culture, arts, fashion and more.

Vertigo in 3D: U2 Concert Film Will Blow You Away

Share | Print

By Alejandro Salinas

U2 rocks in 3-D at the National Museum of Natural History.

Bono, so close you can almost touch him.

In fact, watching U2 3D—a concert film shot using digital 3-D multicamera technology during the South American leg of the band’s Vertigo tour—projected onto the museum’s giant Imax screen is perhaps the next best thing to actually being within fingers’ reach of the Edge’s ubiquitous wool cap. You’re standing in front of thousands of screaming Argentines, mere inches to the left of Bono. Man, does the guy sweat!

Visually, the film is stunning. No time is wasted in showing off the advantages of the 3-D technology, as a barrage of shots—from within the crowd, overhead on a crane, up close to the band—bombard you within seconds of the opening song, “Vertigo.” The film does, however, save the best for last: The encore performance of “The Fly” is heightened to delirious extremes by the endless shower of letters seemingly falling onto the band and the flashing of messages across the screen. Simply put, it’s epic.

Most of U2 3D was filmed during the South American leg of the band's Vertigo tour.

But U2 3D’s true achievement comes less from its cool gimmicks and perfect simulation of an environment than from the effect this optical illusion has on your perception of the band itself: The sensation of physical proximity imparts a newfound feeling of immediacy to the songs, making the delivery of every lyric feel fresh, heartfelt, almost raw. Even if you don’t wholeheartedly buy the politics of the man in the cool shades and blazer, when Bono belts out “Sunday Bloody Sunday” onscreen, it’s like falling in love all over again with the band. Goosebumps included.

The film opens on January 23. Showtimes and tickets for screenings at the National Museum of Natural History’s Imax Theater are available here.

One of many stunning crowd shots from the film.

Comments

Im gonna get you bono! or should i say bone-o im gonna getcha!

Posted by: Michael jackson | Apr 01, 2008 07:40:34 AM

In a word, amazing! It’s an entirely new way of experiencing U2. You can see the Edge’s hand beautifully strumming his guitar, and the sweat pouring down Bono’s face. For a short period of time, the greatest band ever is in your very living room, and it’s magical.

Posted by: Sheel | Feb 13, 2008 07:53:33 AM

Just saw it this past Saturday and words can’t truly explain what an awesome experience this is. Highly recommended for anyone who is even the slightest U2 fan. I was blown away and have a new found love for the band. I am disappointed to find out it won’t be released on DVD but understand why. Brilliant and will try to see it again!

Posted by: Dan | Jan 28, 2008 07:49:55 AM

It was fantastic. It was better than being there in person.

Posted by: Rhonda | Jan 25, 2008 07:29:17 AM

Not even close. U2 has crossed all walks of life in the US both in the private and public sectors. These other two bands are not even in the same realm of consideration as our boys from Dublin.

Posted by: Phish has a larger following than U2? Pearl Jam? | Jan 24, 2008 10:53:11 AM

I’m looking forward to this show -- seeing this concert film in 3D this weekend. I’ve never seen U2 in concert. In response to Dave’s comment, I can think other bands that have had way more impact on rock than U2 -- the Rolling Stones, The Who, Clapton, Led Zeppelin, The Grateful Dead to name a few... even Pearl Jam and Phish have much bigger fan bases than U2, at least in the U.S. :-)

Posted by: JD | Jan 23, 2008 05:51:45 PM

I’m about to go catch the 9:30 screening of this at my local IMAX. Excited would be an understatement.

Posted by: Josh | Jan 23, 2008 05:10:57 PM

U2 is simply the greatest rock band since the Beatles. Everything they touch turns to platinum

Posted by: Dave | Jan 18, 2008 07:39:48 AM

Post a comment

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, comments are moderated and will not appear immediately on the site. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older.