Glee: The Concert

Filmed over two days at New Jersey's Izod Center, this franchise spin-off featuring TV's celebrated group of talented McKinley High School outcasts serves up songs about reassurance and self-empowerment, interspersed with interviews of the diverse, in-character cast—including Brittany (Heather Morris), Blaine (Darren Criss), Kurt (Chris Colfer), Finn (Corey Monteith), and Mercedes (Amber Riley)—along with cult-clued audience members dressed in appropriate get-ups. Perhaps the most baffling mystery is why glee club director Will (Matthew Morrison) and guidance counselor Emma (Jayma Mays) don't appear, but wannabe singer Gwyneth Paltrow makes a cameo. Director Kevin Tancharoen emphasizes his primetime musical comedy/melodrama stars' underdog status with repeated snips of their theme song, “Don't Stop Believin'.” And the diehard Gleek followers shown here absolutely love it, burbling with glowing, bubblegum testimonials, particularly a cheerleader who describes herself as a dwarf, a gay teen who was “outed” in eighth grade, and a red-haired young woman who says she has Asperger's syndrome. From these confessionals, the dissolve to Lady Gaga's “Born This Way” seems both inevitable and somewhat emotionally manipulative. Aimed specifically at fanatic Glee fans, this is a strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include an “On Stage with the Cast” featurette (6 min.), the unseen performances “Dog Days Are Over” and “Friday” (5 min.), extended performances of “Ain't No Way” and “Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy” (5 min.), a “Backstage with the Cast” segment (2 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a fawning concert doc.] (S. Granger)