Concert movies are a dime a dozen. So many artists fall back on this super easy way to monetize an event they are already performing at. The difference between an average concert film and an exceptional one comes down to both the quality of the music and the power of the live performance show itself. Roll out the red carpet for Mother Monster—Lady Gaga herself—as she finally brings her long-awaited Chromatica Ball to audiences all around the world. Filmed live at Dodgers Stadium in California with over 52,000 monsters in attendance, this outrageously epic concert represents multiple eras of Gaga’s music in a visually striking, stunningly realized love letter to her wildly expansive catalogue.
On a strictly personal level, I have been a major Lady Gaga fan for over a decade. My first ever concert was 2008’s Jingle Ball, where the opener, Lady Gaga, performed her one and only hit song at the time, “Just Dance.” Little did I know, years later, I would be waiting overnight to see her perform on Good Morning America in Central Park. I still remember where I was when Gaga’s first American Horror Story promo dropped. Lady Gaga’s 2020 album, Chromatica, became my comfort album while my mother was going through treatments for pancreatic cancer. To say that I am the target audience for this filmed concert would be a massive understatement. Due to circumstances outside of my control, I have never been able to attend a proper Lady Gaga tour in a stadium with all the flashy effects. Now thanks to Gaga herself, every fan has a front row ticket to her most ambitious show yet.
So what of the film itself? Lady Gaga also directs, stamping her vision with a brazen love for art. Seamless editing punctuates the energy of live music. Trippy visuals, projection, strobing lights, flashy pyrotechnics, intricate dance moves—everything has been cherry picked to ensure this Chromatica Ball is one of Gaga’s best ever. The concert splits into four distinct acts, topped off by a jaw-dropping finale. While a few staples may be absent here (“Paparazzi,” “You and I”), Chromatica Ball gets an awful lot right about what a dream Gaga setlist would be, including some nice deeper cuts. An explosive start with “Bad Romance” sets the stage for what is to come, yet there is really no way to prepare for what follows. The full catwalk gets utilized, along with a constantly changing set and multiple costume changes to add an extra burst of pizazz. Bizarre interludes for Chromatica carry us over into different elements of the show. Visuals onscreen meld with the images, such as effects during “Telephone.” Gaga’s flawless vocals are paired against masterful stage design; the stage itself is a constantly moving tapestry of beauty. Big, booming instrumentals each have their moment to shine. “Babylon” serves as an iconic, gold-tinged highlight.
Gaga’s variety show of her greatest hits could not possibly be any more wonderful. She effortlessly bounces from the high energy fun of “Sour Candy” to the inspirational “Free Woman” with ease. When Gaga gets behind the piano, she truly soars to new heights. By the time she belts out “Angel Down,” I was left in tears. Speaking on important topics during a concert can be a bit rocky, but thankfully, Gaga easily incorporates her true feelings without making them into a pep talk. She implores the audience to “celebrate your pride,” and she makes “Born This Way” into a major part of the show, as it should be. As straightforward as much of the footage may seem on paper, Gaga’s personality has been filtered through every single frame. This presents a deeply touching portrait of Mother Monster without requiring any talking head interviews. She has a power of directly speaking through her music that few performers learn how to properly harness.
At the end of the day, there is no narrative here. Gaga Chromatica Ball strictly falls in the realm of a concert movie, leaving viewers feeling as if they were there in the room along with the thousands of other monsters. Without being a massive fan of Gaga’s music ahead of time, I do wonder how strongly people will connect to this. Then again, those with at least a casual interest in her sound or persona are likely to be the ones watching in the first place. A concert movie isn’t so much about securing new fans from nothing, but rather giving back to the warm, accepting masses that have loved Gaga since the very beginning. Whether wiping away tears reaped from emotional ballads or screaming along to the lyrics of every song from the comfort of my living room, this longtime fan certainly had a blast.
Put your paws up for the Gaga Chromatica Ball, streaming exclusively for Max subscribers on May 28th.
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