Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour -  Movie and Experience Review

The Forgotten Demographic Makes a Comeback (Taylor’s Version)

In a world where the cinematic landscape is dominated by action-packed blockbusters and superhero franchises, 2023 has seen several films challenge the status quo of what makes a movie successful at the box office. 

Titles such as M3GAN, Scream VI, Talk to Me, and Greta Gerwig's feminist take on Barbie, which generated a remarkable $1.4 billion this summer, exemplify this year's standout performers. These films collectively showcase outstanding female talent both on and off-screen. 

Then came October with the emergence of Taylor Swift’s concert movie, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, which further demonstrated the power of female representation in cinema. 

Swift’s film serves as two important reminders for the industry. The first being that  Hollywood has long undervalued the female demographic as a serious source of box office profit. The second reminder that audiences, in general, are craving more nontraditional content when choosing what to watch at the local multiplex. 

The Birth of a Cinematic Revolution  

As coined by Taylor Swift, the ERAS movie signifies a journey through the musical eras of her career, encompassing both past and present, and it serves as the central theme of Swift's sixth headlining concert tour. Anyone who thinks it's an exaggeration to say this event is a cinematic revolution needs to understand some undisputed facts. This is the first concert film to completely bypass the studio system for distribution and go straight to theaters. This highly unconventional release strategy was a hot topic of media discourse, with many journalists and media outlets praising the decision. 

If that wasn’t already enough, her team announced the film with only 45 days before release. This created a chain reaction that caused several high profile titles like the new Exorcist movie, Exorcist: Believer, to change its release date to avoid competition.

With movie theaters seeing a massive decrease in revenue during the last few years due to the pandemic and ongoing strikes, the pairing of Taylor Swift and movie theaters ended up being a match made in heaven. In fact, the ERAS movie achieved the biggest opening of all time for a concert film, grossing $93 million,  and had the second-largest opening weekend for an October release, surpassed only by 2019’s Joker. The success only amplified as Swift and her team originally planned the last showing to be on Halloween, but with it selling out showtimes week after week, her team have extended showings into December. 

One of the biggest reasons for the success of the ERAS movie, and a point Hollywood needs to keep in mind when producing future content, is Swift’s career has always been built around relatability and identification. The ERAS movie reinstates the idea that people connect with films that authentically represent their own perspectives and experiences.

Opening Night 

The release of Swift’s concert movie brought an atmosphere of celebration and unity to cinemas nationwide. Movie-goers arrived in droves, and, much like fans did for the Barbie movie, many people dressed for the occasion, donning Taylor Swift-inspired costumes and accessories. 

The lobby at the theater I attended was decorated with a sea of pink and purple balloons, evoking a whimsical atmosphere that perfectly reflected the excitement from eager fans. 

Swifties patiently waited in line for the Taylor Swift-themed photo booth while others flocked to the pop-up friendship bracelet table. Another line to acquire Taylor Swift themed popcorn buckets and drinks buzzed with a palpable sense of anticipation. The air was electrified with excitement as fans enthusiastically chatted and bonded with like-minded devotees of Swift.

The momentum did not stop in the lobby as a group of girls triumphantly unveiled a “Taylor for President” banner in the back row of the auditorium as the first showtime began.

Early into the show, a heartwarming scene captured the essence of the entire evening: A teenage girl and her father, in a suit and tie, were dancing and singing together to “Love Story”, one of Swift’s most recognizable songs. In that one snapshot, the power of Taylor Swift was on full display, her aptitude to transcend the boundaries of age, making her a rare unifying force in society at a time where everyone seems to disagree on anything and everything. 

Movie Review: The Spectacle Brilliance of the ERAS Movie

Beyond its cultural significance, the Taylor Swift ERAS tour movie is a technical marvel. The show is a monumental production that sets itself apart from any other concert film. One factor that distinguishes it from similar films is the meticulous placement of cameras, strategically positioned around the stage, with some mounted on massive cranes, providing viewers with the most immersive experience possible. 

One striking example of the show’s scale, as seen in the movie, is during the performance of Swift’s song, “You Belong with Me,” where four different guitar players grace the stage with Taylor, accompanied by six backup singers. The entire concert is a seemingly never ending entourage of Taylor’s backup singers, dancers, and musicians, all effortlessly changing outfits over and over throughout the film’s three-hour runtime. ERAS, simply put, is a masterclass in concert cinematography, offering a grandeur that elevates it above the standard concert film fare.

Bottom Line 

When looking at the implications of the ERAS tour movie, it’s important to think about the big picture. Will this finally kickstart theaters offering content that is more than the traditional viewing experience? Has Hollywood’s perception of its audience caught up to current times to allow for fresh new narratives and concepts? Will future movies also try to bypass the studio system and make deals directly with theaters for distribution? 

No matter what happens, Taylor Swift’s ERAS tour movie is more than just a concert film; it is a testament to the power of artistic creativity that bridges the gap between generations and genders. Accordingly, ERAS will go down in history as one of the most well-produced concert films ever brought to the big screen. Taylor Swift has proven that the silver screen can be a stage for everyone, and her influence promises to be felt throughout the industry for years to come.