Review: BLACKPINK: The Movie

BLACKPINK: The Movie charts the girl group’s success since their debut in 2016. The concert film, directed by Su Yee Jung and Oh Yoon-Dong, showcases the journey of the girl group on their 2019 tour up until their livestream concert which recently took place in 2021. The film shows how the four members – Rosé, Lisa, Jisoo and Jennie – are contemplating their journey so far as well as thanking fans for the support they have shown so far for the group.

The film shows exclusive footage from the 2019 ‘In Your Area World Tour’ as well as ‘The Show’ live stream concert, at times merging performances from the two. BLACKPINK: The Movie sees the build up towards ‘D-Day’, or the final concert of their ‘In Your Area World Tour’ which took place in Thailand. As well as this, there are four short films spanning the four personalities of the girl group and what the group, as well as the well-known fanbase ‘Blinks’, mean to the girls.

The cinematography of the film is immaculate … giving the film a nostalgic feel for the audience

At the beginning of the film, the audience is given an exclusive look into the audition process the girls took to get to where they are today. The cinematography of the film is immaculate, at times showing past memories of the girls on a screen as they watch ahead, giving the film a nostalgic feel for the audience. The contrasting colour palettes showcase the true meaning of BLACKPINK for the audience. It is showcased through the lyrical rhythms, choreography and the fashion statements that the girls wear.

The softer ballads and pink costumes the girls wear in the ‘In Your Area World Tour’ show the softer, pink side of BLACKPINK, whilst this is deeply contrasted with the bold colours of the costumes the girls wear in ‘The Show’ live stream concert showing the band’s black side.

The performance of the band came very naturally – the audience can clearly tell that BLACKPINK was made for the stage. When speaking about their experiences, the girls were very softly spoken. Lisa exclusively tells the listener “Thank you for supporting me”, which says a lot about how the girls come from humble backgrounds despite the rising fame that they have.

The film mainly shows the message that BLACKPINK will always appreciate their fanbase

For the 2021 live stream concert, the band also teamed up with The Band Six, who provided the awe-inspiring instrumentals behind the songs of BLACKPINK. Jennie is shown to be intrigued with the band as she chats with them backstage in the lead up to the concert. The film in total shows 18 of BLACKPINK’s hit songs and exclusively shows the mechanics behind the spectacle which ‘Blinks’ get to see.

The film mainly shows the message that BLACKPINK will always appreciate their fanbase, mainly known as ‘Blinks’. When discussing their relationship with the ever growing fanbase, the girls get emotional. The girls also have a great team dynamic which says a lot about why they were put together in the first place. Lisa explains that their communication levels are so great and unique that they “don’t even have to say a word.”

Verdict:

BLACKPINK: The Movie showcases the extraordinary work and effort the girls put into their performances as well as their ever growing love for each other and the fanbase ‘Blinks’. The film shows that the girls are humbled by their fanbase and are putting hard work into their performances.