Somehow, I had
higher expectations for this documentary when I heard that Morgan Spurlock had
directed it. Up to this point there was a distinct style and approach to
Spurlock’s films which I enjoyed, though you would hardly know of his
involvement in this commercial 92-minute love letter to the boy band
manufactured on British reality television. They treat the subject with such
adoration that it is clear Spurlock took a paycheck to make this mindless fluff
piece. It feels even less sincere than the film Spurlock made by selling to
advertisers. At least that was direct and honest, whereas this one is mindless
logic and stupid sequences of these young men acting like boys.
The most
frustrating thing about this documentary is how little material there is which
has any significance beyond fan adoration. These boys don’t seem to have much
personality that is their own, and what there is remains a mystery. We get to
see as they are clothed by professionals, have their hair done for them, and
given music to sing on a set other people designed for them. They are so
uninvolved beyond their own moments in the spotlight that their security guards
actually have to chase them down and carry them to the performances. Watching their
behavior and the professionals feeding off of their success is like watching
parents who don’t want to say no to their unruly children in public. It’s
embarrassing.
When the members
of this boy band aren’t running away from responsibility or acting like infants
in every way, they are obsessed with their own fame. They feed off of the bevy
of thirteen-year-old girls that follow them around, constantly going near the
crowds and urging them to cheer. There are endless sequences of the boys
encouraging cheering as they watch the crowd from a perch, on a rooftop or
looking out a window. Only fans won’t find this obnoxious.
Exclusive to the
Blu-ray is an extended version of the film, with a bit more musical
performances to make up for all of the asinine behavior in the rest of the
documentary. There are four additional songs amidst the twenty-minutes of new
footage. Also included in the special features is extended scenes a bit more
extra footage of the boy band members returning home. There is also a music
video for “Best Song Ever.”
Entertainment Value:
4/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 3/10
Historical
Significance: 3/10
Disc Features: 8.5/10
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