Movie Review: "Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D"

Us girls we are so magical

Soft skin, red lips, so kissable

Hard to resist, so touchable

Too good to deny it

Ain't no big deal, it's innocent

And so go the words to "I Kissed a Girl," the 2008 song that put Katy Perry on the map and sums up her persona to a tee.

In her new concert film "Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D," out next week, the mega-star puts it all out there for fans to see. 

It's the ups and downs of Perry's present and past that make this movie more fly-on-the-wall documentary than just an overblown music video. Sure, the tweens will love it for the unfettered access to the world of KP, but if there's one thing you walk away from, it's that being famous and pretty isn't always what it's cracked up to be.

The film chronicles the challenges of her 2011 California Dreams world tour and interweaves biographical segments with Twitter and Youtube shout-outs from her legions of fans. From her wig-less preparation backstage to her painful breakup with comedian Russell Brand, the movie shows a side of Perry you've only read about on blogs or in the press. You get to know what a good cry can do for someone and what global love looks like. 

The pacing of the film is something of a mixtape of Perry songs. Her most recent hits put up front with a slow build to the song that introduced her to the masses: "I Kissed a Girl." A scene shows her in sultry fashion and breathy song singing an acoustic version of the hit, with thousands of teenagers, boys and girls, men and women mouthing right along with her.

This isn't just disposable pop music, but the makings of one of the greatest hitmakers to ever do it, according to the movie. She's second only to Michael Jackson in terms of number one songs from a single album. 

Perry's grueling tour schedule shown in scenes of her travelling from venue to venue and the montage of city names that float across the screen, comes across as not only a necessity for her to reach her audience but also as a way to employ dozens of assistants, stage managers and techinical engineers. She's a global corporation on two legs.

One of the more touching scenes is when she meets with a young fan from the Make a Wish Foundation, the organization for kids with serious illness. The young boy is an expert in Perry's oeuvre and fires off from a list of questions that she patiently answers. Her tone is always playful, weird, genuine. 

You may not be a fan of Perry's music, or you fight the urge to listen every time she's on the radio, which is a lot. But any parents who get dragged to see it will be able to appreciate what the movie suggests about fame and love and long road it takes to find both.

"Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D" opens July 5, but you can catch a July 2 sneek preview by checking out the movie website.

Tomorrow, July 2, 2012, 4:00 pm 

405 Rt 3, Clifton, NJ | Get Directions » 
FREE 

KATY PERRY PART OF ME 3D special fan sneak peek!!!

On July 2^nd, see the film before everyone else and get collectible Real D 3D pastel glasses along with a limited edition pin-up poster! Showings will take place at 4pm and 7pm. To purchase tickets before they sell out, visit http://www.KatyPerryPartofMe.com/Sneak

Local theaters include:

New York, NY- AMC Loews Lincoln Square

Both Lincoln Square showings will be hosting a “pink” carpet pre-reception with giveaways featuring a Katy Cat Dylan’s Candy Bar Gift Basket and Katy Perry makeovers from Allure Day Spa and Hair Design, “Best Salon Services in Manhattan”!

West Nyack, NY- AMC Loews Palisades Center

White Plains, NY- City Center 15: Cinema de Lux

Staten Island, NY- UA Staten Island Stadium 16

Deer Park, NY- Regal Deer Park Stadium

Brooklyn, NY- UA Sheepshead Bay Stadium

Westbury, NY - UA Westbury Stadium 12

Clifton, NJ- AMC Clifton Commons 16

Eatontown, NJ- AMC Loews Monmouth Mall 15

Paramus, NJ- AMC Garden State 16

The 4pm showing in Garden State Plaza will have a “pink” carpet pre-reception!  The first 100 people will receive cupcakes courtesy of Mr. Cupcakes, “Johnny Bakes ‘em better”!