Movie Review: Larger Than Life in 3D
December 18, 2009 · Print This Article
Larger Than Life in 3D is a straightforward music film which simply puts you on stage with the band. No interviews, no commentary, just music music music. You get to hear every magical note and see every facial contortion while the bands play to their hearts’ content.
The film begins with Gogol Bordello and Friends in a frenzy. To say this group is amusing is an understatement. This gypsy punk band is so full of vigor and noise, I really wasn’t sure if they were trying to play a concert or create a spectacle. At least the band appears festive while on stage. The New Jersey Crowd at the All Points West Music & Arts Festival seems thrilled as well.
Next up is Grammy award winning, Ben Harper and Relentless 7 at Mile High Music Festival in Denver. I enjoyed this soul rendering performance the most as Ben Harper sings in blues rock fashion, “The biggest fool is the fool you love.” I was astounded at the intensity of emotion from this man during his final song. Seated with his guitar flat on his lap, he cranks out pulsing riffs as he begs, pleads, and implores, “You’ve got to keep it together…so I can fall apart.” Harper’s passion fuses with the music to not only entertain, but inspire.
The largest portion of the film of course shows songs performed by the largest grossing American band of all time. Dave Matthews Band is shown in concert at Austin City Limits Music Festival, October 2009. Dave Matthews is giddy with joy while strumming and singing, almost to the point of goofiness. He twitches his shoulders and kicks up his feet while feeling the groove of the band’s eclectic music. With 3D reality, you see this 7-piece group join together with trumpet and saxophone, violin and guitars, and an extensive drumset. The performance featured several songs from DMB’s latest album, ‘Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King‘. Several include lengthy intros and solos. Throughout it all, Dave Matthews is untiring, ever smiling as his shirt becomes drenched with sweat and the crowd fills in for lyrics unsung.
Every member of the band enthusiastically contributes his piece to the melody. Jeff Coffin sways with the saxophone. Boyd Tinsley jerks with his violin. And Carter Beauford blows a pink chewing gum bubble while beating the drums. Even if you’re unfamiliar with DMB’s music, their energy is contagious. And for the moments when the music slows, Matthews enters such a trance that you immediately admire his oneness with the music. My favorite points of the band’s performance included their cover of Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” and the lengthy finale, “Ants Marching.”
The beauty of this film is that it gives you a close up experience you could not otherwise obtain unless you were the camera man. With entertainment becoming increasingly reality based – reality TV shows, computer animation, high definition flat screens on everyone’s Christmas list – this is the closest to real life as you can get. And yet, the film is still a film. No one in the theater will be flipping open his cell phone or flaming up his cigarette lighter during the slow songs. There will be no mosh pits or crowd surfing in the theater. The best you can do is dance a little in your seat. And if you can be satisfied with that, then this is a great visual/audio experience.
~ Myriah Christine, Contributor
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