Glee: The 3D Concert Movie

  • Review Date: August 10, 2011
  • PG
  • Genre: Musical
  • 2011
 Review

Common Sense Media says

"Greatest hits" show is tame enough for tween Gleeks.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this 3D concert musical -- which features the cast of Fox's hit show Glee performing their most popular song covers, with additional interview footage of three of their biggest fans -- is much tamer than the TV show. The series routinely deals with heavy/edgy material, but the movie is more like a "greatest hits" of the stars' performances, so there's nothing particularly questionable except for Brittany's racy rendition of Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave 4U." The interviews with the fans discuss issues about being "different" in high school (being gay, a little person, autistic, etc.).

  • Because the movie demonstrates how fans have taken Glee's messages to heart, it's a powerful testimony to why teens should celebrate diversity and accept and respect people no matter what they look like or whom they love. The concert movie, like the show, emphasizes the idea that we're all "losers" and everyone has something that makes them "different," whether it's Artie being in the wheelchair, Curt being gay, Mercedes black, Zizes large, etc. The real-life fans include a little person who's also a cheerleader, a young gay guy, and a young woman with Asperger's.
  • The Glee kids all have flaws, but each is a role model in his/her own way. In this concert movie, the role models are the real teens who show audiences that we've all got issues to deal with and obstacles to overcome, so there's no reason to be a bully.
  • Not applicable.
  • Dressed in bikini-style outfit, Brittany does a sexy dance routine to Britney Spears' song "I'm a Slave 4U." Real fans say they like certain characters because they are "hot." Brittany makes a joke that her "boobs" will look "awesome" in 3D.
  • Very sparing use of words like "boobs," "hell," "damn," and "oh my God."
  • The entire movie is a pitch for how wonderful Glee is, of course, but the connection to real fans and how the show has made it difference in their lives makes it more than just a big commercial.

What's the story?

The framing device for this concert movie is that McKinley High School's GLEE club, New Directions, is giving a high-profile concert. The group -- featuring star singers Rachel (Lea Michele), Finn (Cory Montieth), Kurt (Chris Colfer), and Mercedes (Amber Riley); resident cheerleaders Quinn (Dianna Agron), Santana (Naya Rivera), and Brittany (Heather Morris); jocks Puck (Marc Salling), Mike (Harry Shum Jr.), and Sam (Chord Overstreet); and quirky misfits Artie (Kevin McHale), Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), and Zizes (Ashley Fink) -- performs such hits as "Don't Stop Believin'," "Born This Way," "Firework," "Teenage Dream," and more. Special guests include Dalton Academy Warbler Blaine (Darren Criss) and a surprise cameo by Gwyneth Paltrow as everyone's favorite substitute teacher, Holly Holliday. Behind the scenes, some of the show's biggest fans explain why the series means so much to them.


Is it any good?

 

Fans of the show -- "Gleeks," as they're called -- will be thrilled to see that the actors all stay in character throughout the concert, so even in off-stage interviews, audiences are treated to more of Rachel, Finn, Blaine, etc., rather than their respective actors. The conceit allows the concert to seem like any other popular TV show movie, except with a playlist of songs instead of a plot propelling the film. The stars sing some of their all-time best, with songs that span generations and genres, from Rachel's dramatic rendition of "Don't Rain on My Parade" to Finn and Puck tackling "Jessie's Girl" and "Fat Bottomed Girls," to Mercedes belting out soul classics by Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner. While the contemporary hits make up the bulk of the concert, there's something for everyone (although Mercedes and Tina, who's the only one who doesn't  have a spotlight song, are under-utlized -- probably to accommodate talented break-out character Blaine, who boasts a three-song set with his back-up Warblers).

 

The space between songs is filled with in-depth interviews with three mega fans --a real-life Cheerio who's also a little person; a guy who, like Kurt, struggled with being the only gay kid at school; and a girl with Asperger's who finds comfort in the open-hearted character of Brittany. There's even a cameo of the little 4-year-old "mini Warbler" whose YouTube video went viral. But ultimately this movie is a celebration for those who already love the show and know it's all about diversity and owning who you are, flaws and all. Those who aren't into the series may not squeal with delight like the rest of the audience, but at least they'll witness some brilliant performances, a few of which even rival the original renditions.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how most of the TV show's fans say they see themselves in various characters. What is the show's message about diversity and tolerance?

  • What does Glee teach about bullying and stereotyping? How do the characters represent various "types"?

  • Do you think this movie (and the concert itself) is intended to appeal to a different audience/age group than the TV show?


This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Kid, 13 years old
August 16, 2011
 
GLEE RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D =D =D =D
This was THE BEST movie I have seen in a long time!!!!!!!!!!!! The only thing inappropriate was the Brittany Spears number, which was very provocative, but hey, that's Brittany Spears. It was so invigorating! I love how they put in real people who are inspired by Glee! I actually feel self-conscious sometimes about Glee because people are always, "Wow, you are WAY too obsessed with that show!" But tomorrow, I'm going to make a t-shirt that says "TOO TALL" Rock on Glee Fans!!!!!!! =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D =D

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 9 years old
August 17, 2011
 
cool
I Think this would be a good movie for all Those (American Idol Fans) And (Adventure Time With Finn And Jake

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Kid, 13 years old
August 16, 2011
 
Too All Gleek Freaks
I haven't seen it but I love glee I am the biggest gleek in my family so you should probably watch it.

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Teen, 14 years old
August 15, 2011
 
whoah
well i never seen a PG movie have BOOBS leanguage. anyways. i want to watch this ~~'

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Kid, 9 years old
August 18, 2011
 
9+
Good movie.9+. In addition to sex there is a tiny bit of tension caused by the 3d and some language

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Kid, 11 years old
August 17, 2011
 
Gleek!!!!
This movie was awesome!!!!!! I was surprised the message was positive they were saying be yourself and be proud if you're a nerd unpopular or a loser! The viedo's were really cool in between it was showing how Glee has helped them be proud of themselves. The whole movie was sort of based on being gay lesbian bi or straight not all but some. I 100 % recommend seeing this their sing is amazing and it was really funny! I'm a loser and I'm proud lol :D (watch out for britney's song I'm a slave 4 u she dances in a bikini and it's very revealing and her dance moves are really sexy!)

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Kid, 11 years old
August 26, 2011
 
Cool
Saw it with my friend and we both liked it. The stories about the small girl, the gay kid, and the girl with aspergers was really inspiring. The worst it got was Brittany's bikini thing, which my mom found a little revealing. Overall, pretty good movie.

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Kid, 11 years old
August 31, 2011
 
Glee rocks
it looks so fun and expressing yourself

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Kid, 12 years old
September 3, 2011
 
WOW!
I went to see this with two of my friends and my fourth grade sister and it was AMAZING!

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Teen, 14 years old
November 19, 2011
 
Amazing!
this movie is awesome! there is nothing bad going on. it shows all kind of everyday kids in high school and how Glee changed their lives. its great for any age

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This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Topics:music and sing-along
Studio:Twentieth Century Fox
Director:Kevin Tancharoen
Cast:Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, Lea Michele
Genre:Musical
Run time:90 minutes
Theatrical release date:August 12, 2011
DVD release date:December 20, 2011
MPAA rating:PG
MPAA explanation:thematic elements, brief language and some sensuality

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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