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One Direction: This is Us Blu-ray Review

  • Language: English
  • Subtitles: Cantonese, Chinese, English, French, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
  • Number of discs: 2
  • Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
  • Release Date: December 17, 2013
  • Run Time: 199 minutes



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            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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