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U2 3D
National Geographic Cinema Ventures


8.3

based on 19 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 33 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

MPAA RATING: Not Rated

Starring Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.

U2 3D transforms a series of live concerts by one of the world's most acclaimed bands into a completely new entertainment experience that takes viewers on an extraordinary cinematic journey, a quantum leap beyond traditional concert films and traditional 3-D. U2 3D captivated an international audience as a work-in-progress during the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. (National Geographic Cinema Ventures)

GENRE(S):	Documentary
DIRECTED BY:	Catherine Owens Mark Pellington
RELEASE DATE:	Theatrical: January 23, 2008
RUNNING TIME:	85 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

U2 3D takes the well-traveled concert film to exhilarating new heights.

100

Seattle Post-Intelligencer William Arnold

Its dazzling blend of rock magic and 3-D technology just may be ushering in a whole new kind of musical theater.

100

The New York Times Matt Zoller Seitz

Not merely a technical landmark -- shot entirely in digital 3D -- but also an aesthetic one, in that it’s the first Imax movie that deserves to be called a work of art.

100

Baltimore Sun Chris Kaltenbach

As the film opens with, predictably, "Vertigo" and its "Hello, Hello" refrain, it's his steady presence and unforced charisma that anchors each performance, allowing Bono to emote for all he's worth.

100

USA Today Edna Gundersen

In many ways delivers an experience that's even better than the real thing. It brings U2's dazzling rock spectacle to the multiplex with VIP comforts, all-access viewpoints and telescopic close-ups.

100

Village Voice Jim Ridley

The performances, culled from seven shows on the “Vertigo” tour from Mexico City to Buenos Aires, burn with the old unforgettable fire.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

The 3-D visuals envelop you, majestically, and that effect fuses with the band's surround-sound rapture to create a full-scale sensory high. U2 3D makes you feel stoned on movies.

New York Post Kyle Smith

The movie all but proclaims U2 the world's best rock band. Somewhere, Mick Jagger's jaws are grinding.

Boston Globe Sarah Rodman

They may not be as cool as Bono's fly shades, but the plastic yellow glasses required for viewing U23D supply an amazing fly-on-the-amp view of the Irish rockers in their natural habitat.

Los Angeles Times Ann Powers

For this longtime U2 fan, the U2 3D experience wasn't quite sensual enough, but to quote another Bono lyric, others may find it "even better than the real thing."

Washington Post Desson Thomson

In many ways, watching the movie is BETTER than concertgoing. We can enjoy that buzzy feeling of community without the fist-pumping biker obscuring our view.

Variety Justin Chang

The title says it all. Compact and exuberant, U2 3D may be no more than a pint-sized concert film with a lustrous surface, but the lensing is so vibrant and the music so buoyant, even nonfans may find their eyes popping and their heads bobbing.

Empire Ian Nathan

It's not for nothing that these guys are the world's finest live act.

New York Daily News Jack Mathews

You have never seen a concert film like U2 3D, and it may change your expectations for the rest of your rocking years.

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

The neatest effects in U2 3D are simple ones. The wow/coolness of watching a revered superstar tilt his mic stand toward the camera creates a simple but irresistible feeling of being there in the flesh, with a phalanx of expensive digital 3-D cameras.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jennifer Van Evra

The details are astounding. During "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own," the camera is in so tight that you can see Bono's hand tremble around the mike as he belts out a long, sustained note.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

The 3-D element is unobtrusively handled, except when it perfectly re-creates the woman who's always perched on her boyfriend's shoulders in front of you at a concert.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Steven Hyden

The problem with U2 3D is that the U2 part is rarely as thrilling as the 3D part.

San Francisco Chronicle Joel Selvin

What it brings to the filming of a rock concert other than novelty remains to be seen.

The average user rating for this movie is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 33 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Chris V gave it a10:
If you like U2, you must go see this awesome experience.

Dave M gave it a10:
Absolutely breathtaking piece of work. A must see for any music fan.

Patrick gave it a4:
I don't get why this has been raved about so much. Yes, the 3D is nice and makes the audience look all shiny, but other than that its just a normal concert movie of a fairly average band.

zKeeper12 gave it a10:
This is sitting right there in my top ten list. Prior to watching this movie, I had never even heard a U2 song. As the movie opened, I was sitting there in my seat, extremely comfortable, talking with friends because I was bored, etc. As the film opened, the intro sequence set the tone perfectly for the rest of the movie. As the band started playing, I was drawn in by the music, captivated by the 3D IMAX experience, and wanted to get up and join the onscreen crowd. The imagery is powerful. Even though you could say Bono was preachy, he seemed okay to me. The entire film makes me feel a strange feeling, the kind of feeling you get when your jaw is hanging open after watching a classic. Overall, see this movie before it makes it's theatrical leaves. You won't be disappointed

Louis M. gave it a10:
Unbelievable. Awesome. Mind blowing. The sound quality is amazing, the atmosphere is exhilarating and the imagery is beyond this world. Emotional and Inspiring.

Eddie V gave it a10:
WOW! I'm actually thinking about going to see it again, and I've never done that with a movie before.

Mike W. gave it a10:
Awesome! This HAS to be seen to be believed. First of all, the audio is amazing, the band sounds great, the effects you hear when the camera pans over the crowd really makes you feel like your are right in the middle of it all. Secondly, the video looks great, really looks like HD, and lastly the 3-D effects are amazing. There are times when Bono seems like he is literally standing right in front of you. I loved this movie, wanted to go right back to the ticket window and buy two tickets for the next show! Definitely a must see for any U2 fan, but It's my opinion that this could be enjoyed by any music fan!

U2 3D National Geographic Cinema Ventures

U2 3D
National Geographic Cinema Ventures