Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
ONCE upon a time, British musicians ruled supreme - their music was sublime, resolute and had a powerful message. It was a time when record shops were still on top and vinyl was all that they stocked and the 'super info highway' was still drifting out in space.
In the 1960s Beatlemania had the world in a frenzy and, although it was well before my time, the music of the fab four still resonates ... and often can be heard blaring from my CD player.
Oh how times have changed. These days Beatlemania has been replaced with Bieber-fever, a term used with glee by pre-pubestant girls to describe their adoration for the pint-sized Canadian pop puppet - Justin Bieber.
Although my girlfriend is 22-years-old, she still came down with a bad case of Bieber-fever and the only cure was to take her to see this movie ... much to my dismay.
I am a fully-grown man and, as such, I am thankfully immune to the young lad's alleged charm, so walking into the theatre to watch this 'documentary' was not as exciting for me as it was for her.
Nonetheless, I sat down in a screen filled with young girls ... and a few uncomfortable looking boyfriends who had also been dragged along. As I gave the boys the nod of solidarity indicating our mutual distain, I was met with rolling eyes and deep sighs.
The plot follows the teen idol as he prepares for a sold-out US gig at Madison Square Garden, a feat which, incidentally, deserves begrudging respect considering he is all of 16-years-old.
The film is a mix of concert footage and home movies taken by the Bieber family, showcasing the boy's 'talent'. As things progress, the audience is introduced to Bieber's mum, his manager and even the stylist responsible for his trademark barnet.
To me, this is more of a Bieber promo than a movie. It's a summary of his life to date and his rise to fame after posting songs on You Tube and being discovered by R&B star Usher.
There are interviews with his roadies and parents, we get a virtual tour around his hometown and there's even a bit of drama as he almost loses his voice before the show (at this point I was praying to all the major deities to make it happen so I wouldn't have to endure another second of his 'angelic' voice).
Another 'highlight' of the film comes when Bieber performs a duet with Miley Cyrus, (at this point my girlfriend was more excited than the children sitting next to us) creating a match made in teenybopper heaven.
One positive thing I will say about this film is that is offers a fantastic insight into the power of the internet and the role it has in creating a star. Also, the techniques with which the film is shot are brilliantly original.
I have no doubt that 12-year-old girls will be screaming their heads off and crying hysterically during the duration of this movie. But for me, this film is just irritating promotional fluff. In my opinion it's Michael Jackson's This is It reincarnated ... but this time it stars a boy a third of his age with less than a third of his talent (vitriolic, acerbic, self-righteous, jealous rant over).
Now, where is the florist's phone number? I think I'll need it after my girlfriend reads this review.
Showing at Cineco, Seef II and Saar Cineplex.
