V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film at Sphere Las Vegas

My trip to the Sphere this week to see The Wizard of Oz was negative from the outset. The metal detector beeped as I passed through. Emptying my pockets, the security guy saw my nail clippers (no blade) and said it was prohibited because it could be used as a weapon. His female partner said it was listed as such on the "See You Today" email that the Sphere sent to me that day. I opened the email. Under "Prohibited Items > Weapons," it reads, "Weapons (including firearms, tasers/stun guns and knives of all sizes) - and toy weapons." She restated that my nail clippers could be used as a weapon and gave me the options of surrendering it to the trash can or leaving the venue. So, if Sphere Security really believe that nail clippers are a weapon, then they might as well go full throttle and confiscate a few other items than can also be used as weapons: Eyeglass frame arms can be snapped off, leaving a sharp metal point that could do serious damage to a person. A credit card can be bent back & forth until it breaks, leaving a jagged edge that can be used to cut someone. (But then how could guests purchase the overpriced concessions?) Hey Security, everyone admitted to the Sphere is in possession of a potential weapon. Stop being stupid about nail clippers.

Absolutely incredible reimagining of the timeless classic WIZARD OF OZ! Careful editing, additional creative elements, and fun interactive moments bring THE WIZ to life in a whole new way. An absolute must see in Las Vegas!

Sphere is just as impressive the second time around. My first visit was for Postcard from Earth and this time we returned to experience The Wizard of Oz. One of the most memorable moments is the transition scene when Dorothy is swept from Kansas to Oz. As the storm builds, loose papers begin swirling across the massive screen and then seem to spill out into the room, creating the illusion that debris is flying all around you. The effect is paired perfectly with subtle wind and vibrating seats, making it feel like you’re actually inside the cyclone as everything lifts, spins, and shifts from black-and-white Kansas into the color of Oz. Beyond that scene, the immersive details really elevate the experience. From falling apples and the flying monkeys overhead to seat movements that sync with the action. It’s not just visually stunning, it’s interactive in a way that makes the show extra engaging and genuinely fun. Even having been here before, the Sphere still feels next-level. Seeing a classic like The Wizard of Oz reimagined with this technology makes it feel fresh, exciting, and well worth a repeat visit. Whether it’s your first time or your second, the Sphere is a can’t-miss Vegas experience.

We visited the Sphere for the first time on December 16 to see the 5:00 p.m. A.I. enhanced version of The Wizard of Oz. Since we did not have a car, we took a rideshare and were dropped off at the designated Sphere rideshare area. We arrived early because the tickets clearly state that the show begins on time and that late entry is not allowed. I am glad we followed that instruction, because the moment you walk up to the building, you realize you are about to experience something extraordinary. The Sphere is truly spectacular and feels like a technological wonder brought to life. It is honestly mind blowing to see in person. Security was fast and well organized. The only thing to keep in mind is that if some people in your group have bags and others do not, you will be separated and will need to find each other again on the other side. With the size of the crowds, which can take a moment. Once inside, the staff continued to impress me. Every employee we encountered was friendly, patient, and genuinely helpful. It felt like they either hire exceptionally nice people or train them very well. The seating area is built at a steep incline, which gives everyone a great view. Escalators take you smoothly to your level, and everything feels clean and modern. I did not see many restrooms or refreshment stands like you would at a sports arena, but I did see people carrying popcorn, so they definitely exist. I expected the theater to be cold, like most movie theaters, but it felt like a very comfortable 72 degrees inside. Before the movie starts, the Sphere delivers its first surprise. The entire interior transforms into what looks like a real stage with velvet curtains. It was so realistic that it took me fifteen minutes to realize I was looking at a projection instead of an actual stage. That moment alone was unforgettable. I was excited to see The Wizard of Oz because it was a rite of passage growing up. It aired every April on network television, and we watched it every year. I also love digital art and A.I., so I was curious to see how those technologies would be applied to such a historic film, famous for its groundbreaking use of color. One thing to know is that this is not the full-length version of the movie. It is edited down to a little over an hour. I honestly did not notice anything missing, so it did not affect my enjoyment at all. When the movie started, the 16K clarity and the digital surround sound were incredible. The tornado scene was unforgettable. The combination of crystal-clear visuals, wind effects inside the theater, and debris blowing across the seats made it feel like you were standing right in the middle of the storm. The A.I. generated backgrounds and added details were stunning and really elevated the experience. The only thing that stood out was that the characters sometimes looked slightly lower in quality than the new A.I. elements. In a few scenes, the characters vibrated a bit, and when Toto climbed downhill in the forest, the movement looked a little off. I still loved the movie, but I think the experience would be even better if the character performances were also rendered by A.I. to match the quality of the enhanced backgrounds. The immersive effects were some of my favorite parts. Apples dropped from the ceiling, monkeys flew through the audience, and the entire theater felt alive. The hour went by quickly because the editing kept the story moving at a fast pace. Before we knew it, the movie was over. A wonderful surprise waited for us in the lobby. There was a live character experience featuring the Wizard and Dorothy, which added a fun and nostalgic touch. There was also a large merchandise area, but the line was extremely long, so we decided to skip it. The only challenge of the evening was the rideshare pickup area after the show. Hundreds of people were trying to get rides at the same time, and even though there were multiple lanes and pickup points, it still turned into a major bottleneck. It took us an hour to leave the venue after walking out the door. Next time, we will walk a few blocks away and request a ride from a different location. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. The Sphere is unlike anything I have ever seen, and the A.I. enhanced The Wizard of Oz was a thrilling way to experience the venue for the first time. I cannot wait to return for a concert in the future.

We went to see the Zac Brown Band at the Sphere and the displays and concert were amazing. Things you need to know before you go or book at the Sphere... There is a lot of walking! We sat in Section 406 to get the best view of the screen and the stairs are ridiculously STEEP compared to any other venue we've been to. The wall signs directed us to sections 306 and 406, so we entered there, not realizing that we'd need to walk UP those very long, very steep stairs to our section. We wish the guest services rep at the entrance had told us that we could've taken another escalator and instead walked DOWN the stairs when we told him our seat location. We felt like we were going to fall forward onto 5 rows of seats when trying to walk down our row because, with other guests sitting in their seats, there was not enough foot space on the row and there aren't any safety rails between rows. The other guests actually held onto us as we tried to pass them, to prevent us from falling. If you have any issues with Vertigo or Heart or Health Issues, you should be very careful about which seats you choose. Other than that, it was a great experience.