3D films are becoming few and far between, and to see a concert film, no less, done exclusively in 3D is absolutely wild.

The fact that this new film actually ended up on my bingo card made it all the more spectacular.

Over the years, technology has evolved, but when it comes to movies, no person has stretched the boundaries of what film tech can do more than director James Cameron. He elevates any film he works on by seeking new, innovative technologies to enhance not just his craft but also the project at hand.

Cameron’s company, Lightstorm Entertainment, has been a pioneer in the 3D filmmaking landscape. To make the concert film like nothing any music fan or moviegoer had seen before, the Substack article by The Creative + Tech Orbit and Carolyn Giardina noted that the film used “groundbreaking tiny 3D camera systems and long-lens technology,” which showcased unprecedented intimacy by capturing 3D footage on stage, offering third-person, selfie-style shots.

The way the film was shot was different from what I’ve been exposed to, and finding creative, awe-inspiring ways (especially in the different shot angles) to tell a story can make an experience like this quite magical, rather than having the camera directly head-on, facing the artist.

The one shot that could have been constructed differently is when Eilish performs “when the party’s over.” At this time, we see her lying on the floor, and the camera is pointed at her from the side. The song would have been more interesting had it been shot from above, with the camera pointing down at her, and throughout the song, moving down, getting closer and closer to her face.

What made this film so special was not just the fact that it was a concert film, but how Eilish and Cameron, who co-directed the film together, elegantly blended "behind the scenes" moments, giving fans a look at the inner workings of Billie Eilish's mind. 

I never really noticed that each song had a different color pattern for the lights when I saw her for her first night at Mortgage Matchup Center. I loved how each color fabulously showcased the well-crafted song and blended harmoniously with the setlist's timing, keeping the concert moving along cohesively. 

This was especially evident during “Guess,” which Eilish is featured on. The song is originally from Charli XCX’s 2024 remix album “Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat.”

The colors of the lights also stand out when “Bad Guy” was performed. Toward the end of the song, the lights go red, and Billie starts singing into the selfie-style 3D camera on stage, in an in-your-face style that makes it seem like she's mad at you, even though she really isn't, which plays nicely into the creepy tone of the tune, which gets extremely amplified in 3D.

On the other hand, music is such a beautiful medium. It warms my heart to see all the beautiful qualities that work together to create such a well-crafted sound, no matter who the artist is and what their genre is, because that sound can help people. 

From time to time, the film intersperses fan testimonials. Fans were asked why they love Eilish so much.

The majority of respondents said her music has helped them get through hard times, especially when dealing with mental health issues. Hearing that many of Eilish’s fans have used her music to overcome their own challenges really spoke to me. 

In the past, I’ve used artists like Macklemore (especially his song “NO BAD DAYS”) to help me through my bouts of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and anxiety. It was also touching to see the fans' reaction inside Co-op Live in Manchester (where the film was shot), as many of them were in tears of joy, and I felt the same way when I saw Macklemore in Phoenix at the Arizona Financial Theater in 2023. 

Aside from showcasing the inner workings of her tour, including the creative process, you see Cameron ask Eilish a series of questions to understand why this tour is so meaningful to her.

She expressed that she is trying to break the mold. Growing up, her favorite musicians were in the rap and R&B genres, and many of them were practically on stage by themselves, just dancing around and vibing with the audience, wearing lots of baggy or sports-team-centric clothes. 

She wanted to recreate that atmosphere at her shows since no woman was doing that style of live performances. 

By bringing it to fruition, she gave fans a better chance to get closer to her, which I feel is important because when you can connect with someone, especially an artist, it makes you appreciate their music more than ever. 

I’m also one who, for years, has preached the phrase “we are all weird in our own unique ways,” and we need to be able to showcase those weird qualities that make every individual so spectacular, and Eilish does this in such a dignified manner.

Whether you've been a fan of her work since the days of “Don't Smile at Me” or you just got into her music as of recent, “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)” is one of the most outstanding concert films in recent times, so grab your friends or fellow Avocados (which is the name people used to call fans of Billie Eilish since her social media handle used to be @wherearetheavocados) and head to your local cinema for a night that packs a one two punch that will leave you saying "I'm happier than ever" that I didn't miss out. 

On JFoo’s Footastic rating scale, “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)” gets five stars.