Gaga Chromatica Ball perfectly captures the artistry of Lady Gaga that has kept her fans obsessing for years as well as honoring the person Stefani is. The concert film is all about the experience; the communal experience of a concert, feeling loved and seen by your friends and your pop icon, and a new world after 2020. 

At the Los Angeles premiere of Gaga Chromatica Ball, Mother Monster herself said before the screening began, “I felt like the Chromatica Ball was a time where I took myself to the next level and it was something worth documenting and seeing for people that I love — not that I didn’t love my other tours. I’m sure we all can relate to that feeling of when you personally feel proud of something is really different from when everyone around you feels that way.” Chromatica was an era that launched weeks before COVID changed everyone’s lives forever. The promotional tour for the album was scrapped and the world tour was delayed repeatedly (ultimately becoming a running joke between Little Monsters). Hearing Academy Award Winner Lady Gaga talk at length not just about how proud she is of Gaga Chromatica Ball but also how emotional it was not only to carry out the tour but the process of editing the film feels special. 

Having this tour captured on film for her fans, and even herself, to have forever (if we get a physical release…) is a once in a lifetime kind of event. Gaga Chromatica Ball perfectly captures the artistry of Lady Gaga that has kept her fans obsessing for years as well as honoring the person Stefani is. It’s an emotional journey to watch even without any talking heads or behind the scenes footage. Every emotion is on Lady Gaga’s face, coming through her voice, and captured in dance. Gaga Chromatica Ball is the perfect film to display what makes Lady Gaga the icon she is in music history. 

Gaga Chromatica Ball is an experience that celebrates Lady Gaga’s journey as she’s pulled herself, her art, and even her fans through some of the worst times to move forward and start fresh. The Chromatica era was never executed the way Lady Gaga intended, but Gaga Chromatica Ball is a feat of concert filmmaking and shows the true genius behind Lady Gaga and the Chromatica Ball. The concert film is divided into a prelude and four acts as she goes through hit after hit. No one other than Lady Gaga would open their show with one of the biggest hits of all time and the electricity of experiencing the opening be ‘Bad Romance’ is somehow captured on film in Gaga Chromatica Ball. The film editing is some of the best of the year truly as each act, and honestly song, are edited to not trick the audience but reinforce the movements and presence of Lady Gaga. Each song feels edited uniquely to highlight the energy Lady Gaga (and her dancers) brought to the specific moment. 

If you’re a casual Lady Gaga fan, Gaga Chromatica Ball is still enjoyable as the high energy, pacing of the film, and star at its center keep you watching, yearning to see what is next. While the hits are mixed in for the casual fans, there’s an actual magic to seeing Lady Gaga performing ‘new’ tracks off Chromatica for the first time. There’s a fire in her eyes as she clearly longed to perform ‘Sour Candy’ (one of the highlights) and ‘Babylon.’ An absolute movie magic moment is the transition of ‘Chromatica II’ to ‘911’ that will for sure be the most repeated moment for this Little Monster. When Lady Gaga slows things down in Act IV, you would think this would be a break to relax and catch your breath, but with Lady Gaga, this is the best moment of the show. From ‘Shallow’ to ‘Always Remember Us This Way,’ she shows her true power as just a girl with a microphone and a piano. Lady Gaga has been more than an icon to her fans for years as she’s a beacon of hope with her sincere words and actions that support them and make them feel seen. Gaga Chromatica Ball captures her sincerity in the best way possible, specifically with ‘Edge of Glory,’ ‘Born This Way,’ and ‘Angel Down’ all at the piano. Lady Gaga as a songwriter is always offering us the world and this concert film highlights it beautifully. 

Gaga Chromatica Ball is all about the experience; the communal experience of a concert, feeling loved and seen by your friends and your pop icon, and a new world after 2020. Lady Gaga (repeatedly) asks for you to put your hands up and even watching this at home, you can’t help but do so. While there are no interviews, no talking heads, and no behind-the-scenes footage here, Gaga Chromatica Ball is more than just a concert film as it gives fans exactly what they needed from Lady Gaga. 

Grade: A+

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: None
Should be Considered: Best Film Editing, Best Sound

Release Date: May 25, 2024
Where to Watch: Streaming on Max