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HBO's 'On The Run' Tour Documentary: Review

Cristian Pagan |
September 20, 2014 | 8:20 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

Beyoncé represents the ladies well during "Run the World" (HBO)
Beyoncé represents the ladies well during "Run the World" (HBO)

HBO premiered Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s "On the Run" Tour documentary last night for viewers to enjoy the trailblazing performance.

The documentary was shot in Paris and the stadium was packed and ready for the couple to take the stage. The concert opened with three songs that the power couple collaborated together ("03 Bonnie and Clyde," "Upgrade U," and "Crazy in Love").

The couple then split up their performances with a few reunions in between. Throughout the concert, both artists sung some of their greatest hits such as “Halo,” “Holy Grail,” and “Clique.” A lot of the songs sung by Beyoncé were from her latest album, Beyoncé, that shutdown iTunes in just a few hours after its release.

READ MORE: 11 Lessons Beyonce Taught Me

The best part of the concert was when Beyoncé showed Paris why Americans consider her one of, if not, the most powerful feminist in the business. Her performance of “Run the World (Girls)” and “Flawless” was phenomenal as Beyoncé, along with her back-up dancers, heat up the stage and demonstrate just how powerful and empowering a woman’s sexuality can be. The transition between the two songs was electrifying as all the viewers can see/hear is Chimananda Ngozi Adichie’s powerful lyrics boom throughout the stadium a long with clips from Beyoncé’s “Pretty Hurts” music video.

Of course, you can not have a jaw dropping feminist performance without the one and only Nicki Minaj.  Nicki takes the stage with Beyoncé as they sing their remix to “Flawless” for the first time live. Jay-Z holds his own after that insane performance with his hit “Jigga my Nigga” and “Dirt of your Shoulder.” The most thought provoking performance was definately Beyoncé's "Pretty Hurts." The performance had a screen displaying little girls being taught to conform to the ideals of beauty and perfection and how all of them are being forced into this same societal construct of womanhood. It was very enlightening to the things that happen in real life.

The best quality of the concert is the fact that the couple fed off each other’s energy as they switched dominating the stage. The amount of showmanship that these two performers have is incredible. They both know how to satisfy a crowd and get their energy up. During, "Ni**** in Paris," Jay-Z made the crowd form two big circles. It did not really seem that it had any real relevance to the performance but it definately added some enthusiasm to the crowd. Also, the amount of focus that was put on the visuals and effects was fantastic. It added to the concert and the documentary’s overall quality and experience.

READ MORE: Beyonce And Jay-Z Announce Summer Tour Dates

Unlike concerts that use a lot of props, such as Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry’s, the "On the Run" tour displays amazing cinematography as the couple spice up their performance through the use of videos and a select group of dancers that range from 5-10 at a time on stage. Overall, Beyoncé definitely outperformed her husband with her outstanding vocals, killer synchronized dancing, and sexual showmanship. 

Contact Staff Reporter Cristian Pagan here.



 

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