‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé’: ‘Eye-popping,’ ‘jaw-dropping’ and ‘candid’ music doc stuns critics [Review Round-Up]
On December 1, 2023, AMC Theatres launched “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” to rave reviews from both fans and critics. The release date was noted for falling on World AIDS Day, as the album is dedicated to Beyoncé’s uncle Johnny, who introduced the superstar to Black dance music and ball culture before he died during the AIDS epidemic. Beyoncé also wrote and directed the film featuring her daughter Blue Ivy Carter.
“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé” chronicles the development and execution of the Renaissance World Tour, Beyoncé’s 2023 stadium tour in support of her Grammy-winning seventh studio album “Renaissance” (2022). After topping the box office its opening weekend, the film holds fresh at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Read our full review round-up below.
SEE Box office: ‘Renaissance’ opens in first, ‘Godzilla’ roars into Top 3
Steven J. Horowitz of Variety praises the film, stating, “It’s one thing to create a home video or Netflix-style documentary for a tour, both of which Beyoncé has released in the past. A theatrical release of a concert film is a taller order, although it’s safe to say she had the wind at her back for this one: By its conclusion in early October, the tour amassed a staggering $579 million worldwide, with 2.7 million fans attending across 56 dates in 39 cities — the highest-grossing tour by a Black artist and the eighth-highest-grossing tour of all time.” Horowitz adds, “In addition to the eye-popping performances, the film features Beyoncé speaking candidly about her decisions in a way that music fans have come to expect from such concert films, most recently reaching full cultural throttle with “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” documentary. Her family, for one, is a centerpiece, with frequent appearances from her mother Tina Knowles, daughter Blue Ivy Carter, and even her twins, Rumi and Sir. But she also reveals details about how far she’s come as an entertainer and where she sees herself heading, a creative with a clear vision of what she wants to accomplish without any of the ‘people pleasing’ she describes as a former cornerstone of her business approach.”
Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter writes, “Beyoncé‘s Renaissance World Tour may not technically be magic, but you might be forgiven for wondering if it could be. As captured in ‘Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé’ — which the star also wrote, directed and produced — the stage concert is never short on jaw-dropping delights: acrobatic choreography and soaring vocals, designer outfits upon designer outfits, sets that seem to dwarf the very arenas they’re in. Above all, there’s the sheer pulsing ecstasy of a crowd who feed off their queen’s energy and reflect it back to her a thousandfold.”
SEE Grammys flashback: Watch Beyonce accept the 1st of her record 32 trophies
Katie Campione of Deadline says, “Beyoncé knows what her fans have gone through to make it to her Renaissance World Tour. As she says in ‘Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé,’ she herself has been changed by seeing her idols perform live. That’s why she put all her energy into the creative direction of her show. Those efforts are on full display in the concert film, which is just as much a behind-the-scenes documentary and rare interview with Beyoncé as it is a treat to the best seat in the house for the nearly 3-hour performance.” Campione continues, “In fact, the film opens with a tribute to the Beyhive, as they prepare to enter the stadium for the spectacle. As they dance outside and rush to their seats, Beyoncé is backstage preparing to step up to the mic. When she does, she beautifully belts ‘Dangerously in Love’ to open the show.”
Arianna Davis of The Today Show notes, “Ultimately, the ‘Renaissance’ tour film feels like a gift. During both the tour and also in the movie, Beyoncé emphasizes that she wanted this album and its ensuing world tour to offer a safe space for all kinds of people to feel liberated. For those who didn’t get to attend any of the ‘Renaissance World Tour’ dates, this is a rare invitation to experience her once-in-a-lifetime show from the comfort of a theater, much like Taylor Swift recently offered with her ‘Eras Tour’ concert film.” Concluding, “And for those of us who did have the privilege of attending one of Queen Bey’s live shows earlier this year, we’re now given the opportunity to relive it all over again. To top it all off, the project was directed by the Grammy winner herself, and it’s obvious. The footprint of her signature attention to detail is present in every single shot and scene, from the zoom in to nails spelling ‘UNIQUE’ to the way the storyline flows from motivational to relatable.”
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