Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away is enthralling, entrancing, mesmerizing (pick any one; or all of the above) experience.
While the story might be flimsy (girl sees boy, they fall into different parts of a spectacular alternate universe and she must find him), the various acts (aerial, synchronized swimming, tumbling, dancing, trampolining, etc.) are mind-bogglingly gorgeous (and they make it look so easy!).
At the screening I attended, even the youngest children were totally caught up in it (except for one little girl who, while she was clearly enthralled, made a couple or three very perceptive comments – so go her!).
Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away is an adventure in 3D – it might a colorful, entertaining experience without 3D, but it certainly wouldn’t be as breathtaking and involving without it.
As Mia (Erica Linz) searches for The Aerialist (Igor Zaripov), she wanders from tent to tent, environment to environment and each of us goes with her – each new environment draws us in, and each new act envelops us. The camera frequently puts us in the middle of the action – in the water looking up at swimming acts; in the air with the skyship; the trampoliners from the Viva Elvis show (attired in lucha libre or superhero-type costumes) and various aerial acts execute intricate maneuvers seemingly above our heads – an exceedingly good trick when the cameras can’t actually be placed inside the action.
Seeing Cirque Du Soleil live might run well over a hundred dollars for a pair of tickets but even with the most exorbitant movie tickets a family of four could see Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away – and you could never get the same experience from a live show.
Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away might not be for everyone – there will always be cynics who want more of a story, for example – but for if you’re looking for an amazing experience that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen, then it will dazzle and delight you.
Final Grade: A+
Photos by Mark Fellman/Courtesy of Paramount Pictures