-By Sarah Sluis

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For those who only know the three Jonas Brothers from their triplet-like pictures on the red carpet, attired in tight pants and male-model ensembles, it may come as a surprise that their different personalities emerge on the concert stage. Joe Jonas likes to pick up the microphone stand and wield it emphatically as he sings a chorus. Nick Jonas, whose talent inspired the formation of the group, switches between drums, singing, piano and strings, and comes off as the silent-but-strong type. Kevin Jonas, the oldest brother, seems like he’s just along for the ride, but still strums along on his guitar and mugs for the camera. These are the Jonas Brothers, in 3D, in concert, cocooned by screaming, clawing fans who hyperventilate when in arm’s length of the brothers.

A Disney-bred pop sensation that first gained notoriety opening for Miley Cyrus, that other teen queen (including a performance in her 3D film, Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert), the Jonas Brothers have a meticulous façade and giddy enthusiasm that reveals both their professionalism and their youth. Their crying, manic fans may need no more than their presence to be fulfilled, but a sidelined parent or observer can’t help but admire their energy and athleticism. The boys run up and down the stage as if they’re engaging in shuttle runs. They perform flips, tumbles, and slides. Most dangerous of all, they occasionally reach out to touch one of their fans.

Captured in 3D, the Madison Square Garden stage has the same depth and impact as being there in person, albeit in a bleacher seat. As the crane sweeps over members of the crowd, the foreground pops with a sea of illuminated lights purchased by fans. The Jonas Brothers also throw guitar picks and sunglasses at the camera, probably following instructions intended to give the film that extreme 3D effect. They pretend the camera is one of their teen fans, and have no qualms looking straight into the lens or extending a hand, making it seem as if an actual Jonas Brother is touching you.

The concert segments are strung together with 2D scenes of the Jonas Brothers “living the life.” A mundane scene of the boys eating room service is followed up by the ridiculous: poor imitations of fans (I suppose it is hard to have extras replicate a mental breakdown) hotly pursuing the brothers through the streets and up a skyscraper before they escape in a helicopter. Pretend Beatlemania isn’t really necessary, given that an actual appearance at a Times Square record store results in New Year’s Eve-level throngs requiring NYPD crowd control. The boys are definitely the Real Deal, so why does the “rockumentary” insist on faking so much of the backstage material?

The clips that break apart the boys’ concert are the weakest part of the 70-minute film, which needs more of a narrative, or some kind of tension, to maintain interest. In this age of “celebreality” over-sharing, there is neither substance nor trivia to make these interludes entertaining. Adults curious about how the boys’ famed purity rings alter their lifestyle, or pre-teens in search of minutiae, will find little to sustain them, save the boys’ favorite type of room service jelly (peach). Despite these shortcomings, the film is sure to be a hit for budget-conscious fans unable to secure a ticket to their concert, and enough of a curiosity to sustain adults whose kids aren’t old enough to do the drop-off. Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience provides concrete evidence that these boys are not merely managed and packaged teen idols but accomplished performers—and at least two of the three will be around in years to come.