Glee is set for the movies and in 3D yet

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was the big winner but Glee was not too far behind. The phenomenal series brought home three surfboards at last week’s Teen Choice Awards. These were Best TV Show Comedy, Best TV Actor Comedy for Cory Monteith and Breakout Star for Darren Criss.

Those make for a nice preparation for what the show might bring home from the Primetime Emmy Awards come Sept. 18. Glee is up for Outstanding Comedy Series, Comedy Supporting Actor for Chris Colfer and Comedy Supporting Actress for Jane Lynch. And then comes the movie.

Yes indeed, Glee, a hit TV show that continues to exert a huge influence on current pop music trends, is going to the movies. This means that fans will now be able to watch their favorite Gleeks in concert on the big screen and in 3D yet. This is a concert documentary shot during the recent 2011 Summer Tour of the cast of Glee.

I honestly do not know what purpose being in 3D will serve in this case. Will we see Jane Lynch turning cartwheels with her cheerleaders towards the audience? I do not think that those guys will be flying through the air or doing magic tricks with wands. Remember though, that Miley Cyrus did have a well-received concert video in 3D a few years ago. And if Miley can do it, why can’t those kids from Glee?

The whole gang will be present as in a sort of last hurrah for graduating cast members Lea Michele, Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer. So will semi-regular Gwyneth Paltrow. No, Charice was not in the Glee tour and is not in the movie. Matthew Morrison, the beloved teacher Will, is also not around. He was probably doing his own summer tour to promote his solo album. But everyone else is included: Dianna Agron, Darren Criss, Heather Morris, Kevin McHaile, Chord Overstreet, Mark Salling, Amber Riley and many more.

A lot of songs revived or reinvented by the series were performed in the tour. So you can expect to see and hear your favorites from Lady Gaga to Michael Jackson to Queen and others done in concert a la New Directions by the cast. I am sure that Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ is among them. Plus there is also a lot of behind the scenes footage. I do not know if this will show the cast in their Glee roles or as themselves.

But no matter, the prospect of watching this great cast, with their songs and on the big screen in 3D yet, seems mighty interesting even without Mr. Will. Don’t forget the date, Sept. 21 and before that, there will be the release of the live recorded motion picture soundtrack CD. Add this to your collection and then enjoy the movie.

Incidentally, the Journey song that became Glee’s theme song, Don’t Stop Believin’ is now 30 years. The song was originally recorded for the album Escape, and was released into the market late in July of 1981. The song was a hit but I do not think that the band including then soloist and songwriter Steve Perry ever envisioned how much more popular the song would become within the next three decades.

First off, the inspiring message of Don’t Stop Believin’ instantly made it a favorite in schools and sports events. Because of this the song also captured the attention of film and TV producers who used in various versions in their soundtracks. Those that I recall are the Adam Sandler starrer, Bedtime Stories, Tron: Legacy and The Sopranos.

Alvin & The Chipmunks also recorded their own version and it is one of the songs in the musical Rock of Ages. Take note that Tom Cruise is starring in the big screen version of this Broadway show so I am sure that we will soon be listening to Don’t Stop Believin’, Tom Cruise version.

And then there was Glee. I believe that the use of the song in the series greatly contributed to its continued success in the digital age. It is a big part of the reason why Don’t Stop Believin’ has been downloaded nearly five million times and why it was named the No. 1 single of the 20th century by Nielsen Soundscan, which tracks music sales in the US and Canada.

The awarding was held at NBC’s Today Show after a performance by Journey. Of course, Arnel Pineda, who some years ago, literally sang for his supper, ably sang the lead vocals and he indeed is the best example of the message of the song. Don’t Stop Believin’. Dreams even the wildest, can come true.