It’s a family thing

Director: Bruce Hendricks
Notable Cast: Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas, ‘Big Rob’ Feggans, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift

If I were to have a conversation with a group of twelve-year-old girls about the Jonas Brothers, I would be outmatched. For one, there’s the whole age disparity thing. And second, if I tried to disguise my ignorance on the subject of bubble-gum pop, they would see through my ruse and assail me with a vocal, text-messaging staccato. “OMG, YGTBKM.” Translation: “Oh my God, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

It’s true. I don’t know any of their songs. I still don’t, even after watching Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. But at least now I know that Joe is the cute one.

Nick is the runt of litter, Kevin is the elder, and Joe is the heartthrob. Some girls may say that they prefer Nick or Kevin, but deep down they want Joe. They all want Joe. Together, the three have been staples on the Disney Channel ever since they made a small cameo on an episode of Hannah Montana. That was 2007. In 2009, as a collective group, they have three hit albums and have contributed to many other Disney-related albums and soundtracks. Like the teen idols before them, the Jonas Brothers have that perfect boys-next-door, nice-guy image that makes them most appealing to females between the ages of seven and seventy. Young girls would like nothing more than to make them theirs. Grandmas would waste no time in grabbing their cheeks and giving them a good squeeze.

While I am in no way of a fan of Team Jonas, there’s no mistaking their talent. This is a boy band that plays all their own instruments and writes all their own songs. They hang out with other pop-tart idols like Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, and mega country star Taylor Swift. This concert film, from director Bruce Hendricks (who also did last year’s Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour film), is a condensed concert that was taped at Madison Square Garden last fall.

Like the Hannah Montana concert the party atmosphere is unmistakable. From the opening credits – with Team Jonas being chased by a swarm of female fans through the streets of New York – to the thousands of different-colored glowsticks illuminating MSG, everything just pops. Oh sure, Mick Jagger has that slinky snake dance of his, but the Jonas Brothers bust out backflips and cartwheels. So they sing, play instruments and do gymnastics. Sorry, Mick, you’ve just been served.

The crowd is deafening with fans clapping, tears streaming down their awestruck faces. Director Hendricks takes a break in between songs to give us a backstage glimpse of Team Jonas. Promotional appearances – at the Virgin Megastore, Good Morning America, radio interviews at Z100 – is a cause of concern for the security detail and the NYPD. Adorning fans flocking to Times Square like it’s New Year’s Eve. It’s insanity. But there are other moments, like ‘Big Rob’ Feggans, the band’s driver/primary security, waking them up at 4:31 in the morning that are calming reminders. Before all the yells and screams, we see the band away from the guitars and microphones, goofing off and having fun.

With the band at the height of its popularity the time is right for Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. The three-dimensional effects, albeit with a few noticeable CGI enhancements, are well done – with glowsticks and digital cameras just outside our grasps. A film like this, you don’t have to idolize Nick, Joe and Kevin. But for those who are, this is a confectionery treat of the greatest kind.

Tags: Hannah Montana, Joe Jonas, jonas brothers, Kevin Jonas, Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift