Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

Justin Bieber’s new film begins with some images of his performances and life in Canada and the United States. It is based over the past decade or so of his life. There are significant appearances by Usher, Miley Cyrus, and Jaden Smith. The film is a predominately a musical biography.

The movie follows Justin’s life starting with YouTube and continuing with Twitter and other online popular sites. His transition from online stardom to his family’s move from Canada to the United States is significant. Throughout the movie we are given 3D performances by the tween star. Miley Cyrus and Jaden Smith are included in performances as Justin sells out Madison Square Garden and other tour stops. Fans and viewers are given intimate insight into JB’s staff, friends and family throughout the film.

Artistically we are hooked. Bieber does put on brilliant performances and is quite intimate with his fans. Fans feel attached to him via his Twitter posts and his cyber connections. Every aspect of his tour is made available to his fans. The star’s personality coupled with his vocal and guitar performances leave non Bieber fans wanting more, yet his choreography seems a bit rough. The 3D for this film works amazingly well. In particular his “One Time” performance had an amazing impact. The crowd was singing and swaying to his music throughout the movie. Viewers feel as though he is reaching out to them and connecting through the film.

The target age group is all in. The sold out theatre included over 300 12-15 year old girls and a few dozen parents and young men in attendance. The kids were convinced I was Scooter Braun out of sheer hope for a celebrity in attendance. This is one of the best pieces of marketing in quite some time. Sadly, it echoes Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” and had a bit of a “Jackass” feel at times. The movie will undoubtedly be stuffed all weekend with the tweens watching the movie over and over. They will be sneaking back in to see another few hours of JB as the parents are left in the parking lot wondering how long the movie really can be. The movie really was quite long and could have been cut an hour earlier or continued for another hour without much consequence.

Knowing the target group and the purpose of the movie, it is phenomenal. If you are a fan of the other Justin, Justin Timberlake, or you are a fan of Canadians, then “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” is for you. If you are in middle school anywhere in the United States, then don’t be the only one on campus that has not seen this movie. The movie does what is expected and there could be no way moviegoers can be disappointed. The only major flaw is its exclusion of a majority of the viewing public as an audience. The movie is going to earn 4 out of 5 Cyclones.