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  1. Originally posted by djrlewis[..]

    I'm far too knackered having just driven for 2 hours back from myvscreening to write anything proper but I just wanted to note that I did have trailer beforehand too (don't know what but it wasn't what Gerard has mentioned) and it actually made me concerned for the U2 film as itvwas so bad and made me feel ill. So when the main feature came on I was.....

    Blown away.

    Seeing it on an 8 storey IMAX screen was stupendous.

    I'll be doing a proper report tomorrow.


    How was it???
  2. Originally posted by MWSAH[..]

    How was it???


    ah, Casper; sorry to keep you on suspense but I've got a couple of pics to post and want to do the job properly. It will be up beofrw the end of the weekend I promise
  3. Originally posted by djrlewis[..]

    ah, Casper; sorry to keep you on suspense but I've got a couple of pics to post and want to do the job properly. It will be up beofrw the end of the weekend I promise


    That's allright, Dan! Take it easy
  4. Originally posted by djrlewis[..]

    ah, Casper; sorry to keep you on suspense but I've got a couple of pics to post and want to do the job properly. It will be up beofre the end of the weekend I promise


    excuse us. Sounds promising. I've a few more Dublin pics to post to
  5. Saw the film for the 2nd time tonight...a few quick notes:

    On opening night, we were in the back row, but tonight, we got there late so we had to sit in the front quarter of the theater (about 6 rows back). The movie looked MUCH better on the first night, so if you haven't seen it yet, try and sit further back. The 3D effects seemed to look better.

    I mentioned in my first review back on Jan. 23 this bit about the annoying fades. I had a feeling they'd go over about as well as they are. (that is to say, not well at all.)

    Also, my first screening had no previews, just jumped right into the movie. Tonight's screening had 2 previews: an animated feature about houseflies going into space and Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3-D. I think the 3D effects weren't finished on the space movie, because everyone was asking "Is the U2 movie gonna look like that!? My head hurts."


    All in all, try and sit further back in your theater. I enjoyed it much more the first time.
  6. anyone recognise which version of sunday bloody sunday it is?? like from which show??
  7. Originally posted by haytrainSaw the film for the 2nd time tonight...a few quick notes:

    On opening night, we were in the back row, but tonight, we got there late so we had to sit in the front quarter of the theater (about 6 rows back). The movie looked MUCH better on the first night, so if you haven't seen it yet, try and sit further back. The 3D effects seemed to look better.

    I mentioned in my first review back on Jan. 23 this bit about the annoying fades. I had a feeling they'd go over about as well as they are. (that is to say, not well at all.)

    Also, my first screening had no previews, just jumped right into the movie. Tonight's screening had 2 previews: an animated feature about houseflies going into space and Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3-D. I think the 3D effects weren't finished on the space movie, because everyone was asking "Is the U2 movie gonna look like that!? My head hurts."


    All in all, try and sit further back in your theater. I enjoyed it much more the first time.


    Good tip...I'll try to sit in the centre of the hall at least.
  8. *NOTE* : This review contains spoilers. If you want to go unprepared, don't read it



    U23D

    Notes

    Manchester IMAX is 8-storeys high. It is huge. There are bigger apparently, but this was the largest I've been to. It's also a bugger to get to if you don't know your way. I realise this is irrelevant for 98% of you but if you live in the UK and are heading that way bear it in mind...

    Before-hand they laid on a tribute band, Rattle and Hum, from Burnley, Lancashire. The 3 instrumentalists were great and did a good job of reproducing the sound. The frontman didn't impress me much though - didn't look like Bono, didn't sound like Bono and certainly couldn't carry himself even half like Bono. He did forget loads of words though, although I'm not sure if that was part of the act...



    Then it was in to the theatre. After collecting the comically oversized specs, I took a seat centre back (and I would echo that this is the place to sit) and patiently (!) waited.

    Review

    Music has been an enduring passion for most of my life. “U23D” is one of the reasons why. No matter how old you get you never want to die because something like this may come along tomorrow. The experience of sight and sound that one encounters in U23D is undeniably breathtaking. I went to the show with every intention of watching and listening with critical faculties alert but the sight and sound was so incredible I just lost myself in the gig.
    They’ve taken a number of IMAX nature films and done some techno-wizardry so they can be shown in 3D. I saw one recently and it was okay but it looked like an old nature film with 3D effects layered on here and there. “U23D” was digitially filmed for 3D from the ground up. And it shows.

    It begins, after a protracted "Everyone" sequence with people rushing to their places and some very impressive credits that are your first taster (yes, some folks reached out to try and touch them...), with the bang that is "Vertigo," and it takes a few minutes to adjust to the 3D. By the second song ("Beautiful Day") the film's rapturous energy and high-impact sensory-overload has you in its grip. High-definition 3D cameras soar above the stadium crowds, swooping and weaving in and around the band and the screaming throngs with cell phone "lighters" in the air. It's a strikingly immersive experience, There are a number of shots looking up at the band from the audience’s perspective. When the person in front of the camera throws their arms up in the air you will think it’s the guy in the chair in front of you in the cinema. The next time it happens and you look right at the guy in front of you, you will see that it isn’t him - but you will believe the guy next to him in your peripheral vision is throwing his arms up in the air. It has to be seen to be believed and were it not for the conspicuous lacking of concert smells (sweat, beer, controlled substances) and touch sensations (sweat, wind, rambunctious bodies), you might think you were there. The concert's visual effects are only heightened by the 3D technology, which creates an interesting illusion of Flash-esque layering. During "The Fly," for example, a barrage of words and screen-size letters are layered over each other during the band's performance, creating a trippy, totally unique effect that maximizes the 3D potential. At visually stunning moments like these, the 3D form really does feel like the new frontier. Other highlights include "Love and Peace" (the Larry/Bono shot - wow!) and the sea of dancing Brazilians during Streets. It was all I could do not to get up and join in the crowd I thought I was part of.

    Those of us who've been to gigs know that this can't replace it, but as a stopgap and certainly as a concert film, this comes bloody close.

    How does it sound? The surround sound in the IMAX was spectacular - huge, precise, clear and they turned it up. And the band was terrific.

    That's my other point. They are terrific. Yes, it's frontloaded with the hits (only Love and Peace is likely to be 'unknown' to anyone) but the band wanted this to be accesible to as many as possible. If you've never been to a U2 show, these are the songs you'd want. Yes it's edited between 7 shows and is blindingly obvious (a huge cry of 'Braaazzziillll' during Streets then lots of Argentine references during 'One', the next song), especially to us here, U2-nerds one and all. The fades didn't bother me at all; and honestly, how are they going to interchange between songs when it's not a full setlist and isn't pretending to be either? There was also the bit in "Miss Sarajevo" where they show Bono in two different angles - in one he holds the mic in his hand; the other it's on a stand. This has to be intentional.

    The idea of this film is the immersive experience. Honestly, with the level of knowledge we have, you have to go and just be prepared to switch off and enjoy it. Otherwise you'll be picking holes like Granny's old cardigan. (I did note that the autocue is blurred out, but as you'll know this is my big Bono bugbear of the moment, so honestly, I was bound to see it )

    Watching “U23D” I had an overwhelming sense that an important part of U2's success is that they appear to have never lost sight of the idea that’s it’s not about them, it’s about the music and the power that the music has to bring a message of humanity, equality, unity to the audience. One. Uno. They play like their goal is not to make money and be rock stars but to give the audience what they wanted when they came - something wonderful and extraordinary they’ll remember forever. They play to knock you out and they deliver.

    You know when you wake up from a great dream and you want to go right back asleep to where you left off? That is what it feels like as Yahweh (bloody fantastic BTW) plays at the closing credits of U23D. If it hadn't been for the fact that the next show started at 11pm and I had a 2 hour drive home, I would have gone back in.

    If you live in or near a city that has an IMAX cinema showing “U23D” it will be easy; if you don’t, it will be harder. Maybe a lot harder. Doesn’t matter. Whether or not you like the Vertigo Tour and the politics, if you love U2's music (and why would you you be reading this forum if you didn’t), do whatever it takes to see this film. Sit dead centre toward the back. After they get a look at “U23D” every band is going to have to have their own IMAX 3D concert film. But “U23D” is the first, this is the one that all the rest are going to be compared to, this is the one that changed the world.


  9. great review Dan. Free Rattle and Hum tickets were being passed about in Dublin. They are playing there in a week or 2. I'm going to see the movie again on Friday.. Cant wait.
  10. Originally posted by germcevoygreat review Dan. Free Rattle and Hum tickets were being passed about in Dublin. They are playing there in a week or 2. I'm going to see the movie again on Friday.. Cant wait.


    I just found myself wondering if I could do better than that frontman. Not very good.

    Bigger screen this time? I'd love to see it again; not sure I can justify the 4-hour return trip though...
  11. Originally posted by djrlewis[..]

    Bigger screen this time? I'd love to see it again; not sure I can justify the 4-hour return trip though...


    I hope it's a bigger screen because I have other commitments that mean I can't travel across the water to see it again
  12. Originally posted by germcevoy[..]

    I hope it's a bigger screen because I have other commitments that mean I can't travel across the water to see it again


    No IMAX in Ireland?
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U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.
U2start is run by fans for fans. Help us reduce personal costs. Consider to make a donation to support us.