Directed By Sam Wrench
Starring – Taylor Swift
The Plot – Experience the breathtaking Eras Tour concert, performed by the one and only Taylor Swift.
Rated PG-13 for some strong adult language and suggestive material
If Taylor Swift is going to do something, you better believe she is going to be the best at it. After dominating the music charts for the better part of the last decade, Swift transitions to the silver screens of cinema, where she looks to save a suffering business that has been in the can since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. In doing such, she adapts her Summer spectacle “The Era’s Tour” into a feature length concert film, which seems accessible to everyone by offering something uniquely compelling for each side of the audience.
For her legions of faithful fans, it’s a chance to either once more relive the concert that they spent every cent to attend, complete with a versatility in angles and clarity in depiction that were undoubtedly better than the seats they were given in the first place, but for uneducated fans of Swift, like myself, it’s a chance to experience and understand why she is undoubtedly the single biggest act in music going right now. Whether in the pageantry of the stage spectacle, with interchanging set pieces, an elaborate consistency of wardrobe designs for each individual era, and an impressive display of stage screen visuals compliment the most decorated set list of songs from any artist of any time ever. Swift masters this distinguishing by assembling the best of each of her respective albums for a 40-song, 9-act show that not only vividly articulates the talents and limitless energy of the artist, but also the connection that she has with her legion of fans, who feel inspired simply by Taylor casting a glance in their general direction.
The experience unavoidably feels bloated, primarily in the repetition of the structure, which storytelling films are able to allude with character arcs or evolutions in the plot. However, it’s paced surprisingly well for a film that clocks in at nearly three hours, with editing schemes and transitions so sharply conjured between songs and even Swift’s own ever-changing wardrobe, that they feel almost supernatural in the way they flow so smoothly, with episodic arcs between each act that prepares the audience for what’s to come. The tracks themselves obviously include all of Taylor’s biggest hits, from her time as a teenage country artist, to her time now as pop music’s reigning queen, but the ones that left the biggest impression on me were the B-side accoustics, which flourish a soulful side of Taylor’s vocal capabilities that we’re not used to with such artifically manufactured productions obscuring some of the artist’s integrity. Not every album shines with balance, as fans of the Speak Now era will be disappointed with only one track being included, but five tracks from the show were left on the cutting room floor of the film’s finished product, which makes this album the sacrificial lamb to the proceedings.
Besides Taylor, much respect also goes to her army of musicians and dancers, who are responsibly credited by her during the film’s stage bow during its closing minutes, but also its director, Sam Wrench, who effortlessly immerses the audience in the pageantry of the presentation with a wide variety of camera angles, far and near, that capture the air of Taylor’s impact from every side of Los Angeles’ massive So-Fi Stadium. What’s most impressive for Wrench is that his documentary team floats so seamless in the confines of over 80,000 screaming fans, with no visual evidence of their influence from one camera accidentally capturing another, but also no physical intrusion to Taylor and her team, which Wrench smoothly flows through so much unexpected motions and choreography from the array on on-stage presences. Wrench himself is a Grammy nominated and Emmy winning music documentarian, so his capability in generating the energy and excitement of this gargantuan show goes without question, but even still, it’s a massive responsibility that he measures with precision behind every vantaged depiction, creating the perfect means of access for fans who might feel perplexed by their own introverted personalities to attend a concert in front of so many people.
Overall
“Taylor Swift: The Era’s Tour” is an uplifting and dazzling three-hour, forty song spectacle of a companion piece to the summer’s biggest tour, and one that was built for the big screen, both in the litany of commanding camera angles and scope in spellbinding spectacle that Wrench transfers to the screen so effectively. Though the film obviously feels the weight of its wear with an ambitious run time, the energy and excitement of the occasion helps Taylor to shake it off, as she celebrates seventeen years of being on top of the world.
My Grade: 8/10 or A-
Whoa! So happy you were impressed! I found this to be very difficult to separate the film itself to the theater experience (my theater at one point had 6 year olds terrorizing us to sway our cell phones during a slow song like what???) but you did this with ease! I hope we see a trend of more of these stadium level concerts showing these in theaters too (happy to see Beyonce is going to follow suit in December) because it felt like a no brainer way for everyone to experience this while also keeping theaters alive! Stellar review! Your writing prowess will never go out of style!
While I had no idea that it had a 3 hour runtime, the phrase “spellbinding spectacle” coming from someone who has seen almost every cinematic piece worth seeing– puts to rest any doubts I had about timing. I too enjoy her acoustic pieces more and that is where her lyrics really seem have the opportunity to shine. Some of her recent long pond studio sessions with Bon Iver are amazing.. And even some from 2005 before she took the world by storm are impressive and have more depth than people think a child (at that time) would be able to comprehend let alone create a masterpiece from.
I’m not a huge Taylor swift fan but I’m very intrigued with the idea of bringing stadium concerts to the theaters. After reading your review I almost want to go see it but wow 3 hour run time!! Ever way, wonderful review.
I was so bummed I couldn’t take my girls to the concert, stupid bots, but thrilled that we had the opportunity to do this. The showing we were at though, 10a on Saturday was not very raucous at all and the more desirable times sold out so we didn’t get the full singing and dancing effect. I’ll stay mum on whether id be done there myself…..I would.
Still I loved the way this was shot, amazed at the staging, costuming and mix to spectacle and intimacy that Wrench was able to capture. The moments where you could see how much this experience meant to Taylor herself I think was one of the biggest takeaways for me and it was captured beautifully. This was joyous and I still want to see the concert love!
I’m not a huge Taylor Swift fan, but base on your review, will take the time to watch this with the kids. Your review was beautifully written and gleefully took me away from an otherwise stressful day. Thank you for always giving us readers a well written review.
I am not the biggest Swifty, and wasn’t planning on spending thousands of dollars on nose bleed seats, (I gave all that to Adele 😂😂) but I’m totally excited to see this. Also glad, that you, who is also not a big fan, really enjoyed the film, so that’s a positive for those who are in the same boat! I did read she cut out 7 songs for the movie that were on the real set list (Wildest dreams and Cardigan being the biggest hits) I’ll say though, she is one hell of a business woman (or her team) they hype of re-releasing all her albums after the shady sale of her masters, all being on the charts again at her discretion (Taylor’s Version), and laughing all the way to the bank with this tour as Taylor’s version.
Concert movies are becoming more popular and I think a great idea for those who cannot afford the real experience. All the same excitement and feel for a very small fraction of the cost. And even special souvenirs! Adele also filmed one of her shows and will be releasing after her residency is over. I’d be happy to be a guest critic on that one since I saw the real deal in Vegas hahah! (I also may get kicked out for singing at the top of my lungs…)
Thanks for another positive review! You don’t always hand out A grades, so when I see one, I know you were impressed and it’s worth the money!
This is a really cool concept, and so am glad to see other artists following suit. It allows those who couldn’t afford or get the time to go to the concert get the experience of seeing the biggest tour of the summer. I wish they would do this more often, even branching out to broadway plays much like they had planned to do with Hamilton! Taylor is an amazing talent, and I am sure that she put on one heck of a show! And it was nice to get an honest take from someone who is not necessarily a fan. Great review!
I am planning to see this. I had hoped and heard good things and now you enjoying it makes me excited. I mean what’s not to like about her ? lol.
I think the main reason I chose not to see this is that I’m not a big fan of concerts to begin with and seeing it on a big screen isn’t enough to change my mind on it. I am a fan of Taylor Swift along with many of her songs. More importantly though, I honestly just love how this movie was made and put into theaters by sidestepping studios which was pretty satisfying in a time when studios are STILL refusing to pay fairly. I’m sure Swifiities will love it which is definitely what matters, but I’m glad you took the time to give it some appreciation. Nice work!