It seems that in today's music there are two keys to success: transformation and saturation. Artists like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga go from girl next
door to girl next planet, all in the name of being themselves, of course. They're ingrained into popular culture the minute a song rises up the charts
with a flood of tweets, website hits, and television appearances. It's all about mass media saturation. It's no longer about raw musical talent but who
can
output the most energy, make the most appearances, transform themselves into a can't-miss icon as much through their looks as their musical
talents. In Katy Perry: Part of Me, the superstar does, however, come across as genuinely herself, at home in her excessive costumes,
constant wardrobe changes (sorry, no malfunctions of which to speak in this film), garish wigs, and general visual zaniness that altogether define her
shows as much as, if note more so than, her catchy, upbeat, toe-tapping, bass-heavy Pop tunes. Still, her career path follows the transformative style
of Lady Gaga and the new media frenzied 24/7 saturation of Justin Bieber. Yet she does seem to want nothing more than to be
herself, to please her fans, to perform as she wishes. Part of Me doesn't really show a new side of Katy Perry, but it does offer a basic overview
of her career path, personality, and life story as they all converge during one of her most hectic tours and the most transformative time of her life.
Watching U.
Katy Perry: Part of Me weaves together two tales, one of a whirlwind 2011 tour and the other of the life of a superstar on- and off-stage.
The
film chronicles a story of "tremendous success and personal heartbreak" as it examines the size and scope of the tour, touches on the technical
details
of making it all happen (a more thorough examination of how such a complex show comes together would have been interesting -- more interesting
than some of the shallow background the film provides -- but this is just "part of her" and rightly not the focus), and spends much of its
time
offering intimate looks at the wear and tear and grind both the tour and Perry's personal life have on her ability to perform, to be who she wants to
be,
to give the fans everything they've ever wanted in a musical act. The film introduces audiences to those people closest to Katy Perry -- her
costumer, her make-up
designer, her personal assistant, her photographer, her family, and her closest friends. It looks at the influence of famed music Producer Glenn
Ballard
(Alanis Morissette, Michael
Jackson) on her career, her collaboration with the producing team known as "The Matrix," and her transition to Capital Records from both
Columbia and Island/Def Jam. The
people closest to her share their thoughts on the star, praising her dedication and insistence on being herself. The film also shares the tale of her
meteoric rise to stardom following a period of stagnation. Intercut throughout are extended clips of the star performing her biggest hits in front of
thousands of fans, offering viewers a front-row seat to her most dazzling tour stops.
What's most interesting (not compelling, really, at least for the veteran Katy Perry fan) is the story of her life, her period of self-discovery, her
personal
transformation, and her rise to the top of the secular music charts. Perry was born to devout Christian parents, raised in the church, and flourished
as a Gospel singer. Spirituality and adherence to wholesome tradition were made the centerpieces
of a sheltered life. Her life path seemed preordained, but her first exposure to "the real world" -- through Alanis
Morissette's music -- immediately altered her perspective, gave her the confidence to find herself, to blaze her own path rather than follow the
pre-planned life her parents set before her. It examines the love she shares with her family but hints at the disapproval her parents still hold
towards -- her
mother in particular -- and the personal risks, professional rewards, and upbringing-shunning lyrics of her hit song "I Kissed a Girl." The film warms
hearts with the tale of her
storybook romance with and marriage to Russell Brand but doesn't dig too deeply into the subsequent split which leaves Perry in tears and uncertain
of her
future, both in the long run and in the immediate sense as fans await a show she may not perform.
Part of Me's star overview lacks depth to be sure -- it merely retells a story with which fans are all too familiar, that's the subject of
countless blogs, news articles, television programs, and tabloid sensationalism -- but it's a fair overview piece
that, even if it lacks intimacy and new information, will appeal to Katy Perry fans just looking for material to absorb, to see and hear their favorite
performer in her own words and up on stage, close-up to the star for the price of a movie ticket or a Blu-ray disc. The highlight, then, doesn't come
from its dramatic arc but rather the behind-the-scenes information and on-stage performances. The film splendidly captures the essence of a Katy
Perry performance, showing the spectacle that is a modern Pop concert while also focusing on a fan base that might not be Justin Bieber ravenous
but that does seem genuinely attached to the star, to her insistence on being herself and also giving back as much as, if not more than, she takes in
in money and praise and applause. Part of Me is really only skin-deep, or show-deep, as the case may be, but that does't make it a
disappointment. It could have been more, yes, but as a fluff piece it's very well put together and does a remarkable job of bringing to life both Katy
Perry and her biggest tour yet.
Katy Perry: Part of Me debuts on Blu-ray 2D (a 3D version is also available, and it includes this 2D disc) with a steady and ofttimes
impressive 1080p transfer. The HD video source varies a bit in quality. The concert scenes dazzle, with precision clarity, brilliant colors, and excellent
details. Black levels in these scenes are spot-on, and they nicely balance the gaudy colors and extreme razzle-dazzle on the stage. Viewers will see
every little intricate texture around the performance and will be blinded by the dizzying array of colors that define a Katy Perry concert.
Behind-the-scenes footage never quite finds that same concert sharpness, clarity, or attention to detail. Such scenes prove a touch soft, sometimes
noisy in lower light, but at least sturdy and still abundantly colorful. There's some lower-grade home video footage mixed in as well. Very light banding
appears from time to time. Overall, this is a high-yield transfer that dazzles during the concerts but merely satisfies elsewhere.
Katy Perry: Part of Me pumps out a terrific DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The obvious highlight is the assortment of on-stage
Katy Perry performances, clipped from her whirlwind 2011 tour. Not only are they a visual treat, but the audio is off-the-charts superb. There's a
faultless presence and clarity to the music. It's expertly spaced and completely immersive, stretching to the sides and implementing a big surround
support element that feels natural and, along with crowd noise, absolutely immerses the listener into the concert hall. The music is largely defined by its
positive, tight, and strong bass. It's a natural low end thump that rhythmically gives body to the music and pulsates through the stage and into the
listener's very essence. It's never rattly or overly loud; the track finds just the right balance for its low end elements. Otherwise, the track is comprised
primarily of dialogue, which is focused and clear, playing naturally up the front-middle of the stage. Light ambience supports a few outdoor scenes or
meetings with small groups of fans. The track holds its own outside the concert segments, but it shines in a showroom demo-worthy sort of way during
those amazing concert performances.
Katy Perry: Part of Me contains the following supplements:
"Last Friday Night" Full Concert Performance (1080p, 4:17, widescreen, Dolby Digital 2.0).
"Waking Up in Vegas" Full Concert Performance (1080p, 4:25, widescreen, Dolby Digital 2.0).
Grandma: Thinking of You (1080p, 5:57): An extended scene of Katy with her grandmother.
The Grammy's You'll Never Take Away From Me (1080p, 5:19): Katy Perry prepares for her Grammy's performance. From February 18,
2012, shortly after Katy's divorce.
California Dreams Tour: Behind the Scenes (1080p): A six-part feature that looks at various aspects of Perry's life. 5, 6,
7...oops...8 (3:32) showcases the singer learning a new dance move. BFF (2:40) takes a look at Perry's friend Shannon Woodward.
California Dreams Tour Tattoo (5:49) features the star and her crew getting tattoos, and Perry tattoos her father. Surprise! (1:57)
takes viewers behind-the-sceens for a surprise birthday party. Celebrities (2:17) examines Perry's relationship with her fellow celebrities.
Finally, E.T. (3:02) features a discussion on the process of making one of Perry's songs a hit.
Katy Perry: Part of Me might disappoint hardcore Katy Perry fans looking for cutting-edge Documentary filmmaking or revelatory insights into
the star's personal life. However, those same fans should find in the film a good all-in-one overview piece that's highlighted by several unique
behind-the-scenes elements as well as plenty of good-time musical numbers. For newcomers just getting into the Katy Perry craze, Part of Me
proves to be a solid performer that should get rookies up to speed on the life and times of the Pop superstar. It could have been more, sure, but there's
plenty of information here as it is; it's just a matter of who will find it to be of the most value. Paramount's Blu-ray release of Katy Perry: Part of
Me features good video, wonderful audio, and a few extras. Worth a rental, though die-hards might want to buy just for the sake of making their
Katy Perry collections complete.
