U2 3D @ IMAX TELUS theatre of the Montréal Science Centre

I have to be honest. I'm not a fan of U2. I am a fan of U2 3D.

If I didn't get free entry to see U2 in 3D, I would have never gone to see it. I would have just assumed it was just another boring live concert of some really big band, same as on tv like usual. I was so wrong. U2 in 3D is BETTER than seeing them live.

The setting is U2 performing their Vertigo tour in Buenos Aires. The concert itself is HUGE. The band members are ants on an enormous stage with tentacles. You can't see the end of the audience; it's football fields long and wide. Bono does something like 4 clothing changes. The concert alone was surprisingly good.

So far, so what? Right? Wrong. To get the full 3D effect, they put cameras EVERYWHERE. They didn't miss one detail. Everything is larger than life. You wanted to reach out and grab the Edge. You wanted to touch Larry Mullen's glistening earrings. You wanted to inspect Bono's now aged pudgy hands. You wanted to pluck Adam Clayton's bass. AND if you ever wanted to know how it felt being a photographer/cameraman in front of the pit shooting at a concert. You felt it in 3D. It was better than live because you are up closer and more personal.

Most surprisingly, it never got boring. They didn't repeat 3D gimmicks throughout. They kept changing it up. I don't want to give it all away so I'll just talk about the crowd. You should see this movie just to see the giant masses pulsating. The audience is simply amazing. They stole the whole show.

The only criticism I have about the movie was the Sesame Street moment of falling words being projected in front of you. I kept imagining the words sliding together from one side of the screen and the other side; "Hel..........lo – Hel...lo – Hel..lo – Hello". It didn't happen and I kept waiting for it.

The Montreal premiere of U2 3D is next Tuesday, the 22nd at the IMAX TELUS theatre of the Montréal Science Centre in the Old Port. It's really the place to see it. It's the only theatre in Montreal that serves beer. So imagine yourself planting your lazy end of winter butt in comfy-ish seat, a cold brew in hand, wearing cool 3D glasses and being front row centre.

I have to admit, I went from sceptic to convert. I think you will too.