Starring: Harry Styles, Liam Payne
Directed by Morgan Spurlock
Following the popularity of concert films from the likes of Justin Bieber, the Jonas Brothers and Katy Perry, the latest big screen 3D spectacle tackles the story of boy band One Direction.
The lovable rascals have enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame thanks to reality singing competition X Factor and producer Simon Cowell and their phenomenal success is traced surprisingly effectively in One Direction: This Is Us. Director Morgan Spurlock, best known for Supersize Me, assembles a good chunk of stunning concert footage, candid interviews and brief band history.
To say One Direction was manufactured is an understatement; all five members appeared as soloists on the hit show before Cowell had the brilliant idea to put them together as one act, but the film clearly shows these once complete strangers have used their overnight success to form a unique bond.
In one rather touching scene, theyre almost pining for a suburban life away from the mobs of fans and paparazzi. Its easy for the casual viewer to sit back and dismiss their musings as misguided but it also touches on a theme that permeates nicely amongst the superficial live show footage the price of fame.
Its hard to really say how much of the movie is staged but there is something undeniably charming about the band and Spurlock does a credible job, possibly turning some cynical critics into aspiring Directioners.
