“Glee: The 3D Concert Movie” makes you realize just how crucial Jane Lynch is to the Fox TV show’s success. She’s nowhere to be found in this peppy concert film, shot over two days during the recent North American tour, and her trademark snark as cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester is sorely missed. Instead what we’re left with are the musical performances, which are admittedly glossy, high-energy and infectious, but they seem awfully earnest on their own.
Director Kevin Tancharoen doesn’t offer much that you haven’t already seen on the ridiculously popular television series. The actors, in character, perform many of the songs that have become fan favorites — including Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” and Queen’s “Somebody to Love” — with the same choreography and sometimes even the same costumes from the show.
| ON SCREEN |
| ‘Glee: The 3D Concert Movie’ |
| » Rating: 3 out of 5 stars |
| » Director: Kevin Tancharoen |
| » Rated: PG for thematic elements, brief language and some sensuality |
| » Running time: 83 minutes |
If you’re looking for revealing behind-the-scenes footage, forget it. Amber Riley, Heather Morris and Naya Rivera cattily one-up each other in the makeup room, but it’s all part of the act. There is not a single real or spontaneous moment in sight.
And yet, if you love “Glee,” you’ll be psyched. These are your idols, the ones you welcome into your homes each week, now leaping into your laps in crisp, bright 3-D. They’re all multitalented, dedicated young performers who have pulled off the difficult feat of working their butts off but making it look effortless and even fun.
Between numbers, we get snippets of the back stories of three fans: a high school cheerleader who’s a dwarf, a young gay man who was outed by a fellow student and a young woman with Asperger’s syndrome who’s obsessed with Morris’ character, Brittany.
All have learned to feel more comfortable in their skin, they say, thanks to “Glee.” And sure, these are inspiring tales, but they feel wedged-in and they grind the pacing to a halt. Similarly, testimonials from fans outside the concerts — most of whom are wearing homemade T-shirts and flashing the show’s signature “L” for loser on their foreheads — also have the cloying repetitiveness of an infomercial.
Thankfully, Tancharoen keeps coming back to the music.
Is it calculated? For sure. But it does what it needs to do to please its target audience. Everyone else may as well surrender to the juggernaut.
