OH, MY! THE CONCERT MOVIE SHOT DURING THE GLEE LIVE IN CONCERT SUMMER TOUR OF 2011! HOW CAN I NOT KEEP THE CAP LOCKS ON AND THE EXCLAMATION POINTS POINTING!!!! As someone who has never seen an episode of the television series, I instinctively know that I’m not part of the target audience for this movie, but I’m ready to FAKE IT!!! Yes, I started out making fun of this loving portrait of the impact of the popular show on its legion of fans, but at some point (possibly during the version of “River Deep, Mountain High”) during its on-the-nose renditions of songs that speak to the trials and tribulations of key fans, whose stories form the awkward spine of the movie, I simply sat back and started humming along.
The musical revue-styled song choices from all over the genre map are staged without too much muss and fuss, meaning that everything holds together thanks to sheer stage presence and vocal power, and there was certainly more than enough in evidence to make me reconsider catching an episode. I wish the concert producers had gone with the decision to create a narrative around the characters for the onstage performances rather than forcing the actors to remain in character backstage, while having screaming, hyperventilating fans introduce them. No matter how impressed I might seem, I can guarantee that I will never completely lose my mind and join Team (insert Glee character name here)! Grade: C-plus
Opens Aug. 12. Check out theaters and show times, see the trailer and get theater details here.
