U2 - U23D 

An IMAX Theater Event

By Margaret DeJesus

“Everyone. Everyone. Everyone!” A voice blasts through the speakers.

A woman runs like a maniac followed by a horde of others. Smiles are etched on their faces as they run to nab a spot.

I stood in line for 15 minutes and nabbed the best seat in the house with a fourteen dollar ticket.

U23D is the ultimate simulation of a U2 concert experience. From being immersed in the crowd’s passion to roaring along with Edge’s guitar solos on stage, this IMAX 3D film is quite a mesmerizing production.

The 90 minute film was shot over a span of South American concerts during the band’s Vertigo Tour. U23D will satisfy the casual, unfamiliar and hardcore U2 fan alike with its cutting edge (no pun intended) visual and digital effects.

I’d like to see more from the techie geniuses who pulled this masterpiece off. This film makes you wonder how you’ll ever be able to watch a regular film on an ordinary theater screen again. Now the only thing that’s missing is the Bono style 3D shades. I’m not too privy on the cheap yellow plastic.

Anyone who’s ever gone to a U2 concert knows the energy and passion that runs right through the fans that pump the heart of the band’s existence. This film comes pretty damn close to recreating that intensity and bond of community. In fact, one crazed fan in my theater was actually “dancing” and jumping on the sidelines of the theater following the explosive “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” I had to take off my 3D glasses to be sure she was not part of the screen.

And just like at a real show, the fans who only appreciate the radio hits, leave for bathroom breaks during their poignant deeper cuts like Miss Sarajevo, which was featured in the film’s set.

I have a few complaints though. Bono needs to brush up on his Spanish (Perhaps I need to get my ninth grade teacher to give him some lessons); Larry needs to smile a little more, actually a lot more; and Achtung Baby could have made a bigger appearance, as the set seemed to rely heavily on classic U2 favorites.

Nevertheless, this film exudes a new level of ultimate coolness, especially during “The Fly” and “Love and Peace or Else” (I know its shocking, especially with a lame title like that, but the band make it work, or rock I should say.)

SPOILER ALERT. Bono pulls the activism card out, but not too worry. It’s just enough to complement U2’s politically driven lyrics and melodies to perfection.

Bottom line: U23D is the real thing, maybe even better than the real thing.

If you were looking for reasons why you should leave the comfort of your couch and your Blu-Ray On Demand movie, U23D is a big one. Unless you have a gigantic IMAX screen in your living room, I’m not sure the Blu-Ray, or HDTV is going to compare.

“Wow. We’ll never forget this. Thank you,” says Bono at the end of the lively set.

Thanks to U2. I won’t forget it either.