Current:Home > MarketsReview: In concert film ‘Renaissance,’ Beyoncé offers glimpse into personal life during world tour -WealthEdge Academy
Review: In concert film ‘Renaissance,’ Beyoncé offers glimpse into personal life during world tour
ViewDate:2025-04-28 07:49:55
LOS ANGELES (AP) — In Beyoncé’s concert film, she described her recent Renaissance World Tour as being run like a machine: From lighting to set design, the superstar singer had a hand in everything production-related to ensure her stadium tour exceeded expectations after four years of preparation.
As a perfectionist, Beyoncé was tirelessly determined — working almost 50 days straight — to create an epic concert experience. This comes clear in her movie “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” which chronicles the massive tour in support of her seventh studio album. The film — written, directed and produced by Beyoncé — perfectly captures her dazzling performances for the big screen and somewhat unveils intimate behind-the-scenes footage from a normally private singer, who has rarely done interviews in the past decade.
Beyoncé released her nearly three-hour “Renaissance” movie through AMC Theaters in similar fashion as the “ Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour ” film, which opened with a record-breaking $97 million domestically for a concert film last month. But unlike Swift, whose project primarily focused on her onstage performances, Beyoncé took a different approach by offering more insight into her personal life.
“I’m really excited for everyone to see the process,” she said in the film.
With “Renaissance,” Beyoncé displays more of her human side like in her 2019 Netflix film “ Homecoming,” which delved into the singer headlining the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. This time, she goes a step further into her story as arguably music’s most hardest-working performer, who attempts to juggle being a mother of three children while she maintains her mental and physical fortitude during her tour.
Beyoncé expressed frustration with challenges to her lofty aspirations for her tour and felt she wasn’t being heard because she’s a Black woman. The tour ultimately grossed around $500 million, according to Billboard. She opens up about having surgery on her knee, which forced her into rehabilitation a month before her first opening show in Stockholm.
Unlike her tour, Beyoncé confesses she’s “not a machine.”
But through her aches and pains, Beyoncé — who is the most decorated Grammy artist in history — showed up and performed at a very high level. It’s what she demanded of herself and others who mirrored her mentality to make each show come into fruition.
The film showcases a few big-named performers who separately accompanied Beyoncé onstage including Megan Thee Stallion in Houston. During her Los Angeles stint, Kendrick Lamar was special guest along with Diana Ross, who sang to Beyoncé for her 42nd birthday.
But out of all the celebrity appearances, the one who stole the show was Beyoncé's 11-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, who made her presence felt as a background dancer. Initially, the singer was opposed to pushing Blue into the limelight of performing in front of tens of thousands.
“She told me she was ready to perform, and I told her no,” Beyoncé said in the film.
In time, Queen Bey finally gave into her princess, agreeing she had only one time to show her stuff. Her first performance, however, fell under heavy scrutiny on social media from those who criticized Blue Ivy’s dance moves as subpar.
But Blue Ivy used the criticism to train harder. She gained confidence as the tour progressed and gained more standing applauses each time she hit the stage.
Blue Ivy’s maturation brought joy to Beyoncé and to Mathew Knowles, the proud grandfather who was shown saying “Now, that’s a Knowles!”
During a stop in Houston, Beyoncé along with her mother, Tina Knowles, drove around her old Third Ward neighborhood before they stopped by her childhood home. The return to her hometown marked another reunion between Beyoncé and all the members of the girl group Destiny’s Child — which included Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson, who was once ousted from the group.
Now, it appears peace is between them. There were no words exchanged on camera except for a collective hug, which Beyoncé called during her narration a “new birth for us. A lot of healing.”
Beyoncé along with her mother shared heartfelt moments of the singer’s late uncle Johnny — a Black gay man who introduced her to house music as a child and made her prom dress. She dedicated the “Renaissance” album to him.
The film squeezed in Beyoncé's appreciation for her devoted BeyHive fanbase who were often shown in the audience in various cities. During her shows, she expressed her gratitude for them, calling them “beautiful faces.”
Not every song performed on tour made the cut for the film except for jams like “Alien Superstar,” “Church Girl” and “Cuff It.”
And that’s just fine. This “Renaissance” film is more about getting a glimpse into her life - even for just a little bit.
“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” an AMC release, is not rated. Running time: 168 minutes. Four stars out of four.
veryGood! (93)
Related
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Search persists for woman swept away by flash flooding in the Grand Canyon
- What Each Zodiac Sign Needs for Virgo Season, According to Your Horoscope
- Colorado won't take questions from journalist who was critical of Deion Sanders
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- New York City man charged with stealing sword, bullhorn from Coach Rick Pitino’s St. John’s office
- Florida State vs Georgia Tech score today: Live updates, highlights from Week 0 game
- Houston’s Plastic Waste, Waiting More Than a Year for ‘Advanced’ Recycling, Piles up at a Business Failed Three Times by Fire Marshal
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Ohtani hits grand slam in 9th inning, becomes fastest player in MLB history to join 40-40 club
Ranking
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Oklahoma revokes license of teacher who gave class QR code to Brooklyn library in book-ban protest
- Rumer Willis Shares Update on Dad Bruce Willis Amid Health Battle
- Zayn Malik Shows Off Full Beard and Hair Transformation in New Video
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- After millions lose access to internet subsidy, FCC moves to fill connectivity gaps
- Competing measures to expand or limit abortion rights will appear on Nebraska’s November ballot
- You'll Flip for Shawn Johnson and Andrew East's 2024 Olympics Photo Diary
Recommendation
Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
Rumer Willis Shares Update on Dad Bruce Willis Amid Health Battle
Dunkin' teases 'very demure' return of pumpkin spice latte, fall menu: See release date
In Alabama Meeting, TVA Votes to Increase the Cost of Power, Double Down on Natural Gas
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Fire hits historic Southern California baseball field seen in Hollywood movies
Delaware election officials communicated with lieutenant governor’s office amid finance scandal
Shop Old Navy’s 60% off Sale & Score Stylish Wardrobe Staples Starting at Just $4