Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour movie is beyond fans’ Wildest Dreams. On September 26, Taylor Swift announced on her Instagram account that she was releasing her concert as a movie for all of her fans to view. She has created a blockbuster that is completely alluring whether you like her or not. It was released in theaters on October 13 (13 is Swift’s lucky number) and has grossed over $100 million. For those fans who were not able to go to her Eras concerts, they can still see it at their local movie theater for $15 or less.
The movie opens with Swift emerging from pink and purple parachutes that her dancers are holding. She starts singing her song Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince. Everyone in the theater went crazy, and it was so exhilarating to see Swift on the big screen. When Swift finishes that song, she flawlessly transitions into one of her most popular songs, Cruel Summer, off her Lover album. When she gets to the bridge, everyone starts singing because we all knew the words, but Swift mysteriously stops. She starts to say that “We have reached the first bridge of the night! Does anyone know the words?” and puts her hand up to her ear in Swift fashion. She began to sing again and the movie theater erupted with excitement, it was so loud that you could hear it from the other theaters. “It gives me an endless amount of joy to say these words. Welcome to the Eras Tour!” is how she starts talking to the audience about the night to come.
Swift attracts anyone who likes pop music, stunning outfits, and people who like to have a good time. At the movie theater, groups of teens and tweens stood up, danced, and sang along to all of the songs which simulate the actual concert. It didn’t matter whether you went with your friends or not, Swift’s performance gave you a personal experience that you will never forget. While Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour is 2 hours and 49 minutes long, it is 100% worth it to go and see.
I saw the film three times at three different movie theaters. Each time was amazing and I never got bored of watching it. The first time I saw the movie, it was at Bellingham’s Regal Theater on opening night. At this location I was able to get the Era’s popcorn bucket and the Era’s cup. It was a surreal moment to see so many other people loving and freaking out over the same thing I absolutely love. The show was sold out and there were positive vibes coming off everyone. Many of the people got up to dance and sing either at their seats or at the front of the movie theater. Some came dressed up in different outfits that represented Swift or her songs which was very endearing. I loved every second of it and desperately wanted to see and analyze the movie again.
Luckily, I was going with three different friends, three different times. The second time I saw it, it was equally as amazing. This time they were giving out little Eras Tour Posters at the Methuen 20 AMC Theater in Massachusetts. The third time I went to the movie was at the same Bellingham’s Regal Theater about a week after the movie came out. Both the second and the third times I went, many people were talking loudly during the Folklore and Evermore sets. They have typically more mellow songs, but I still love those songs equally as much as the upbeat ones.
Charlotte LaSalle, 16, a junior at Old Orchard Beach High School, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, who is a Swiftie, commented. “Everyone getting up and singing/dancing like Taylor said that they should made the experience what it was.”
Seamus Stoker, 19, a college student and non-Swiftie had some things to say about the movie which contradicts what many thought about it. “I’m glad that people are having fun with it, but I’m not happy people are going overboard with the “concert” experience.”
The movie was a show of the entire concert Swift played throughout the United States tour. However she did cut the songs “The Archer”, “No Body No Crime”, “Long Live”, “Wildest Dreams”, and “Cardigan” from the setlist. I wish that she kept these songs in the movie because they are some of my favorites. Many other people were upset that she didn’t include these songs too.
“The songs she cut made me mad, I understand trying to give the same experience for the people who didn’t go to the concert but it still made me mad she cut some of the songs,” LaSalle shared.
Swift sang songs from all ten of her albums and had different transitions, sets, and costumes to go along with the mood of each album. A fan favorite was the Reputation Era where she was wearing a black, red, sparkly, snake, bodysuit that blew everyone away when she came out in it. During “Look What You Made Me Do” these glass boxes of her backup dancers and backup singers were in them, dressed up as Swift in her many outfits during the different eras, much like in her music video. The audience exploded with gasps and awes of amazement watching Swift dominating the stage.
Later in her Lover set, Swift is with her guitar strumming along to her song, Lover, talking about all the hopes and wishes she has about how the night will go on. Swift says that when we leave, she hopes when we hear the songs, we will remember the experience we all had watching the movie or being at the concert. Swift’s music released a type of cathartic reaction within her fans that will be Timeless. I will forever remember the experience that Swift was able to create, concert or not. And think back to “the night I danced like I knew our lives would never be the same.”
