Taylor Swift is, beyond debate, one of the most popular and successful musical artists of her generation. She’s won over legions of fans with her music and attracts constant media attention.
Her concert film for “The Eras Tour” is an entertaining, visually stunning, and high-powered spectacle, but also occasionally exhausting and breathless.
The film runs about 168 minutes long, playing in front of a massive crowd at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The concert divides the superstar’s songs into different eras based on the titles of her albums: Lover, Fearless, Evermore, Reputation, Speak Now, Red, Folklore, 1989, an acoustic set, and concludes with Midnights.
She begins the concert with a bodysuit and boots, singing songs such as “Lover” and “The Man.” The latter consists of her adding a sequined blazer with a set that looks like an office.
She then segues into her country section by playing such hits as “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me.” By the time she gets to her Evermore set, she performs “Champagne Problems” over a moss-laden piano. “Tolerate It” is performed by a set designed to emulate Citizen Kane.
I’m the farthest you’ll get from a “Swiftie,” so I had to do my homework on a lot of her songs, but I can say with all certainty she knows how to electrify a crowd. Swift has a magnetic stage presence, and everyone from the band to the backup dancers is equally as effective and passionate about giving her fans a stellar show.
The concert’s only weakness is that, like Swift herself, the film almost never gives us a chance to breathe. Just when we think the concert might be winding down, there’s another set of four or five songs that she’s ready to unleash. The experience can be mildly jarring at times.
When she arrives at the show-stealing finale with “Karma,” we’re a little grateful the sensory overload seems to know when to say enough is enough, finally.
The Eras Tour film won’t win any converts, but it will thrill Swifties of all ages, and that’s really its only function. No more, no less.
Grade: A-
(Rated PG-13 for some strong language and suggestive material.)
