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Film: U2 & Stones concert films think big
If you're the biggest band on earth, you need your concert film on IMAX. That's exactly what U2 and the Rolling Stones are doing: "U2 3D" opened this week exclusively on 60 IMAX screens, and the Martin Scorsese-directed Stones film called "Shine A Light" will bow on 100 IMAX screens (as well as in regular theaters) on April 4.
The U2 film was shot in Buenos Aires' River Plate stadium as part of their Vertigo tour, and it was shot specifically for a 3D experience on double camera rigs. Filmmakers were able to manipulate images, play with depth of field, and shoot angles that would pop in 3D since it was shot entirely in that format, and the end result is stunning. Dope IMAX sound certainly helps, and whether you like U2 or not it makes for a pretty stunning concert experience. Is it as awesome as the Beasties' "Awesome I Fuckin' Shot That"? Visually yes, conceptually no.
Scorsese's Rolling Stones concert film is regular 2D format, but we hear its raw and personal. It's also an entirely different beast than "U2 3D" as it spans the career of the group by weaving archival backstage footage with footage from 2 recent, legendary shows at NY's Beacon Theater. From the trailer it also looks as if there's compelling traditional documentary elements as we see Scorsese scrambling to put the whole thing together.
In any event, we're psyched that there seems to be no end in sight to the tidal wave of music docs and concert films that are hitting theaters. Let's hope more bands are into IMAX.
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