Glee: The Concert Movie (2011)

Directed by: Kevin Tancharoen | 84 minutes | music | Actors: Dianna Agron, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Darren Criss, Cory Monteith, Chris Colfer, Chord Overstreet, Naya Rivera, Heather Morris, Mark Salling, Harry Shum Jr., Ashley Fink, Jenna Ushkowitz, Amber Riley, Riker Lynch, Curt Mega, Titus Makin Jr., Jon Robert Hall, Jaymz Tuaileva, Gwyneth Paltrow

The immensely popular TV series “Glee” first appeared on Dutch television in 2010. The complications surrounding the group of students, who find out in the choir of their secondary school that being ‘different’ is preferable to ‘fitting into the group’, are followed by countless viewers. The story is set at the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio. With the third season almost over, the makers have now had to purchase a separate trophy cabinet to be able to lose all awards, including Golden Globes and Emmys. Fans of the series call themselves Gleeks (a contraction of Glee and Geeks) and they will agree: “Glee” is a phenomenon.

Much of the popularity of the series can be attributed to the fact that there is something for everyone: “Glee” offers entertainment, romance, loads of music, funny dialogue, but there is certainly a deeper layer, each of the characters have trouble adjusting to the high demands of life (at a high school). Most of the protagonists are not so loved by their peers at first. A great move from the creators and writers of “Glee”, because everyone can imagine (or has experienced it themselves) what it is like to be picked last at gym, or not to sit at the table with the popular children during recess. allowed to sit.

In the summer of 2011, the cast of “Glee” toured America. Of course, only a relatively small percentage of Gleeks could be there, so a movie was made to reach fans all over the world. Director Kevin Tancharoen forges the songs – as is known to connoisseurs of the show – covers of well-known recent, and less recent, pop hits, into a sparkling, swinging whole. In addition to opener “Don’t Stop Believin’”, we also hear “I’m a Slave 4 U”, “River Deep, Mountain High”, “PYT (Pretty Young Thing)”, “Fat Bottomed Girls”, “Valerie ”, “Jessie’s Girl” and Katy Perry’s “Firework” and “Teenage Dream”. The songs are ably performed by the well-known cast members and Glee fans will no doubt follow the example of the small, endearing kid dancing and singing along in front of the TV. Backstage, “Glee” cast members (who remain in their roles) are filmed.

In between, interviews with a few “Glee” fans have been edited. That ranges from short statements by people on the street who the favorite character is and why, to the effect “Glee” has had on fans. The latter is processed in three separate interviews, spread over the playing time. We meet a fan who until recently suffered from Asperger’s syndrome, but who has made friends thanks to “Glee” and is now more comfortable in her own skin. The conversations with little Janeane – due to a growth disorder – are a feast for the eyes: the “Glee” fan radiates zest for life and mischievous fun, no wonder she has been chosen as prom queen. And finally, the gay Trenton does his bit with his story about how he was forced to come out and the difficulties it brought him. Although some manipulation is not strange to the makers, these scenes make it clear that “Glee” is a major source of inspiration for a significant part of this generation. And admit it: every person who becomes more open and less prejudiced by watching “Glee” has been taken, right?

Although ‘Glee: The 3D Concert Movie’ is primarily intended for fans of the series, it is likely that a new group of enthusiasts will also join. The enthusiasm of the fans and the infectious performance of the cast will undoubtedly contribute to this. The film is not very innovative, the choreography of the songs also hardly manages to surprise, but there is plenty to enjoy for the enthusiast.