PLOT: Taylor Swift celebrates her newest album with a behind-the-scenes take a look at her “The Fate of Ophelia” music video, plus she breaks down the that means behind each monitor alongside a set of lyric movies.
REVIEW: Ah, there’s nothing like voluntarily strolling into the lion’s den that could be a theater full of Taylor Swift followers on the day her newest album drops. I might really feel a buzz within the air as I discovered my option to my seat. This crowd was able to sing, dance, and cackle their method by way of an 89-minute breakdown of Tay-Tay’s newest opus. I couldn’t have been in higher firm as I contemplated my threshold for Taylor Swift-related rascality. Unsurprisingly, I acquired into the groove, although my evaluation of this companion movie was extra strict than most. I’ve acquired a job to do in any case.
Sure, Taylor Swift: The Official Launch Celebration of a Showgirl is technically a movie, nevertheless it’s extra of a dissection of her newest work than a full-blown function. There’s no plot to talk of, because the movie will get divided between a set of behind-the-scenes footage for the making of her music video for “The Fate of Ophelia” and lyric movies for the remaining songs on the album. The behind-the-scenes footage is your bread and butter, with Swift performing as our information by way of her meticulous and galvanizing artistic course of. I shouldn’t be shocked, however Swift’s command over the set and inventive course of the music video shocked and delighted me. Say what you need about Swift, she’s a workhorse and is aware of exactly what she desires to see on display. Her confidence behind the digital camera is spectacular, and watching her work humanizes her in methods which are each comforting and complimentary.
The behind-the-scenes footage for “The Fate of Ophelia,” a track impressed by the basic and tragic Shakespeare character from Hamlet fame, is interspersed all through the presentation to interrupt up the lyric video parts of the film. Whereas I believe the BTS footage is probably the most partaking side of the movie, you’ll be able to’t have fun the brand new album with out presenting the tracks in fashion. All through the present, Swift introduces the tracks individually, offering context and perception into every, providing firsthand information of the artistic course of, mindfulness, and coronary heart behind her newest assortment of relatable bangers.
Predictably, the lyric video parts of the movie are exactly what you’d anticipate. The track performs as a kaleidoscope-like picture morphs and bends to the melody. I do want the footage used for every video had extra selection, however that could possibly be my ADHD speaking. Nobody in my crowd appeared to thoughts. Apparently, the movie begins and ends with a screening of “The Fate of Ophelia” music video. Whereas this felt unusual at first, seeing the video once more after being given a lot context for its creation was a deal with.
You is perhaps asking your self: Steve, how certified are you to put in writing a good assessment a couple of Taylor Swift film? Are you a Swiftie? Nicely, I imply. Kinda? I like Taylor’s 2022 album Midnights an awesome deal. The track “Lavender Haze” is my absolute favourite from Swift’s intensive library, because it jogs my memory of rising up in a curler rink, the place my mother would skate on the wooden flooring flecked with disco ball reflections. Whereas Midnights is my old flame, Taylor’s newest report, The Lifetime of Showgirl, is my new favourite.
Conceptually, the album is a timeless basic for Swift. It’s daring, upbeat, and intelligent in methods I didn’t anticipate. In my restricted expertise, the brand new album is Taylor’s most relatable album (for me) to this point. It jogs my memory of my spouse, our lives collectively, and the way we acquired there. I understand how comfortable I’m with my accomplice, and it’s good to assume that Swift believes she’s lastly discovered real love together with her husband-to-be, Travis Kelce.
One in every of my favourite points of the movie is Taylor breaking down the album one track at a time. There’s a cautious chemistry to the songs, with Swift conveying messages of energy, togetherness, and resilience, which extra folks want to listen to. For instance, Taylor emphasizes the significance of being mushy, sort, and resilient. She discusses at size why apathy is in vogue and the way being intentionally unenthusiastic about issues has develop into trendy, however in actuality, it’s boring. Being passionate about belongings you like is joyful. So, why is our social predilection, our societal mandate, to surrender pleasure? What’s the evolutionary benefit of giving up pleasure? I really like that Taylor brings this to the desk. That somebody as highly effective as she is makes use of her affect to advertise jubilation.
Do you must be a Taylor Swift fan to get pleasure from this movie? I believe so, or come to the social gathering with an open thoughts. Will you allow the presentation with a greater understanding of Taylor’s thoughts and inventive course of? Completely. Whereas albums like Deftones’ Personal Music, Sleep Token’s Even in Arcadia, and Bruses’ Desde El Coma are amongst my favorites of 2025, I might see Taylor’s The Lifetime of a Showgirl triumphantly making my Prime 20 Albums of 2025 listing. For context, there was an unimaginable quantity of music this 12 months, and I’m one thing of an audiophile (verify my Instagram for all my concert-going shenanigans).
For those who’re a Taylor Swift fan, The Official Launch Celebration of a Showgirl is a must-see. And even for those who’re not. The movie is an eye-opening take a look at the guts and interior workings of one in all leisure’s most gifted, sort, and cherished sensations. Whether or not you get pleasure from her music or not, Taylor Swift is a drive to be reckoned with. I’ve seen Swifties get pleasure from Showgirl in theaters, however I’ll wager this performs even higher on Digital or Blu-ray. Listening to the album with a VH1 Storytellers-like break between tracks is a unbelievable option to really feel nearer to the music. I want extra bands would make movies like this one.
Favourite Tracks:
The Destiny of Ophelia
Elizabeth Taylor
Father Determine
Damage the Friendship
CANCELLED!
Supply:
JoBlo.com
