

'Glee The 3D Concert Movie' review: Makes 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' look like 'Inception'

Zero stars (out of four)

“Glee” is so amazing! For proof, check out all the young girls and guys in “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie” flipping out about how amazing “Glee” is! One thing: Neither the die-hard fans nor the performance-filled documentary (from the director of “Britney Spears Live From Miami”) go into any detail about the characters’ storylines and why the show has apparently changed some viewers’ perspectives about cliques. So anyone who doesn’t know a lot about “Glee” won’t have any legitimate idea what makes it so special for these kids, WHO WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THEIR FAVORITE CHARACTERS!

Right now, “Glee” fans, you're probably thinking, “He doesn’t get it.” You’re right. There’s a lot I don’t get about “Glee,” and now “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie.” Such as:

-- The show’s message is that everyone should embrace who they are and not want to be anyone else. How is that reinforced by Artie (Kevin McHale), who is in a wheelchair, doing a dance (to “The Safety Dance”) in which his legs work and calling it his dream? Or by “Glee” fan Janae, interviewed in the movie, who is a little person excited to go to prom with a person of average height—only to take some prom photos standing on a stool?

-- In the film, absolutely no one comments about the songs that are being performed, such as “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” and “Teenage Dream.” Do fans detect or care about any difference between Michael Jackson and Katy Perry? Since the words don’t seem to mean anything specifically to the stars singing them, would the audience grin just as broadly while belting out a catchy hit about manure? Do they actually prefer the “Glee” cover of a song by Pink or Lady Gaga, who fans could easily see in concert instead?

--Speaking of the songs, how are covers of mainstream pop songs (some of which were written by committee) being taken as symbols of individuality and independence? And why does the cast not aim for unique interpretations of the material, as opposed to “wail every tune as grandly as possible until they all blend together”?

--The movie’s only original song, “Loser Like Me,” aims to empower but bitterly asserts, “I could be a superstar/I’ll see you when you wash my car,” which raises a person up by bringing another down. What kind of a statement is that?

-- Do fans recognize the difference between the “Glee” characters and the actors who play them? The movie hardly identifies any of the real people by name and certainly doesn’t suggest that they, say, have any flaws or have ever experienced hardship. Wouldn’t it be more inspiring to hear Lea Michele and Cory Monteith talking about their geeky upbringing, rather than occasionally hearing meaningless, self-congratulatory chatter by Heather Morris and Naya Rivera?

I’m all for promoting self-esteem. What I don’t support is hypocritical Gleekaganda that fakes concern for the plight of the outsider but is really just about the greatness of “Glee.”


Copyright © 2014, The Morning Call
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