Glee: The 3D Concert Movie is the best episode of Glee ever!

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with the TV series Glee this past season. I loved the first season because it was so new and fresh. Season two seemed to take all of the good will and popularity from the first season and squander it in the worst ways, from inconsistent character behavior to a simply cartoonish villain in Sue Sylvester. Too many times, plots seemed to be an afterthought to the music; a few lines written around a big musical number that did little to explain any character development or motivation. But, every once in a while, they managed to pull off a stellar episode such as the one where Sue’s sister died. Whatever I’ve felt about the show as a whole, it always seemed that a really great musical number could lift the show up … at least for those few minutes when plot and character didn’t matter (and sometimes, the characters came across with more emotional realism during the songs than at any other time when they simply had to speak).

So now Fox is doing everything it can to cash in on this phenomenon as the network and producers sent the cast out on a concert tour to keep the true “gleeks” happy during the show’s summer hiatus. Of course, they couldn’t do a nationwide tour so one (or more, most likely) performances have been captured for Glee: The 3D Concert Movie to make you feel like you’re really in the audience (in a seat that is flying madly around the arena, no less). And I have to say this is probably the best episode of Glee ever simply because there is no plot to worry about. Yes, the actors are doing the concert as their characters — even during the backstage bits as they prepare for the show — but if you’ve watched the show, you know they are truly bringing those TV characters to life, live on stage almost like they’re at a real singing competition.

The cast performs all of the show’s biggest hits, from “Don’t Stop Believin’” to “Born This Way,” with gusto. A few of them get some solos — Kurt’s heartbreaking rendition of “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and Puck’s “Fat Bottomed Girls” among them — but a couple of the real showstoppers might be a little questionable for some of the show’s more ardent, younger fans. Brittany’s version of Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U” is quite risqué with her barely there costume (I was expecting a wardrobe malfuction during the entire number) and erotic dance moves (with sexy backup dancers), and Artie’s version of “Safety Dance” may cause some little heads to explode as he performs the song — and the dance — on his own two feet. That was the one moment when they really broke character and it was a little jarring (even though I know Kevin McHale is not really handicapped). The 3D is a nice touch with the depth in the wide shots making you feel like part of the audience, and the close-ups giving nice separation between the performers and there are lots of microphones practically poking you in the eyes.  Blaine and The Warblers get their own three-song set, and there is a very special surprise appearance that I won’t spoil.  But don’t expect to see Mr. Schue or Sue (apparently Jane Lynch was filmed for the movie but was cut and will appear only on the home video version).

While the music and performances are all top-notch, my favorite parts of the movie were those that featured the Glee fans. Many of them are interviewed outside the arena about who their favorite character is, but the film then focuses on four fans and lets them tell their stories of how Glee has had an impact on their lives (one of the four is the little kid who can perform Warblers numbers like no one’s business and has become a YouTube sensation). Each of the stories — from a cheerleader who happens to be a little person, to a girl with Asperger syndrome, to a teen who was outed to his school in 8th grade — are heartbreaking and uplifting and, for all my griping about the show itself, really show us how people have embraced these characters, how young children and teenagers can relate to Kurt, Blaine or Brittany, how the show actually teaches these kids acceptance because we’re all different but we’re all human (unfortunately, the Victoria Jacksons of the world only see a liberal agenda shoved down our throats), and if a simple TV show — and now this movie — can do all that and make people feel better about themselves, then that’s a really good thing (I actually choked up a few times during these segments which are interspersed throughout the movie).

If you’re a true “gleek,” then you certainly won’t want to miss Glee: The 3D Concert Movie, and if you’re only a casual viewer or haven’t a clue as to what Glee is all about, then I’d say it’s really worth 90 minutes of your time. And you just might learn something in the end. By the way, it’s only in theaters for two weeks, so catch it while you can!

Clacked by Chuck Duncan
on Aug 12, 2011 @ 00:03 EST5EDT