Katy Perry: Part of Me movie review
LIKE a sparkly fairy-floss flavored cupcake shot out of a confetti cannon, Katy Perry: Part Of Me is a sugary explosion of pop and positivity.
Concert films with documentary footage are fairly easy to make and quickly profitable thanks to passionate fans.
Just look at Justin Bieber: Never Say Never which cost $13 million and yet grossed $100 million worldwide.
But while superfans, the Katy Cats, will lap up the 3D enhanced tour footage and relish the appearances of her funny old grandma and home videos of Perry as a child, this is more than just a blatant grab for cash.
And the film delves deeper into the life of candy loving pop star from the Pentecostal Christian background than you may expect from Perry's sugary fluffy lyrics.
Shot throughout Perry's year-long world tour last year, it shows Perry dancing from stage to stage to meet-and-greet after meet-and-great with cartoon like enthusiasm with interviews from friends, family and Perry herself interspersed throughout as the film to create the requisite 'journey' arc.
The concert footage is capably done and while it does look like a glittery fairytale on steroids there is more at its core, much like Perry herself.
Through interviews and home videos the film explores Perry's background and the years of dedication and belief in herself required for her to reach the level of superstardom she commands today.
While the film doesn't quite tackle Perry's impending marriage breakdown with former husband Russell Brand head on, it doesn't shy away from it either.
In a particularly emotional scene Perry is shown sobbing uncontrollably in her make-up chair while her team looks worriedly on, powerless to act.
She allows herself to be vulnerable and raw on screen and gives audiences a glimpse at the girl underneath the spangley costumes.
Heaven for fans and a chance for others to discover that what lies at the heart of Perry is more than just a rainbow cupcake.
Katy Perry: Part Of Me
- Stars: Katy Perry, Russell Brand, Shannon Woodward, Lucas Kerr
- Director: Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth
- Rated: PG
- Verdict: Three out of four stars
