Every generation seems to have performers who have the ability to reduce young girls to quivering messes.
In the 60s, it was The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. I watched on in the 70s as the Bay City Rollers strutted their tartan stuff, leaving all my female classmates gaga. The 80s,
90s and noughties have not been without their heart-throbs, either.
After watching Justin Bieber strut his stuff in this documentary-style production, you're left feeling he is the latest reincarnation of the mind-altering pop star.
Teenage girls seem unable to contain themselves while watching him, or when in his dream-like presence.
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never is an interesting mix of biography and behind-the-scenes concert movie.
It is not just one song after another; it is a cleverly told story with concert music dotted throughout.
We are taken back to his early days and meet the people who made him who he is. We see some of his earliest performances and displays of obvious musical talent.
He seemed to have a desire to perform from the beginning and the drums were his early love.
When he moved on to the myriad of other instruments he plays and began singing, people started to take notice.
But it was YouTube that gave him his big break.
Wanting to share some of his performances with out-of-town family, he uploaded his songs for their pleasure.
Surprisingly for him, they took off around the world and soon attracted the attention of music industry people.
The rest is history.
Although I was definitely not his target audience, I came away from Never Say Never impressed with the young man and what he has achieved in his short lifetime. He seems to have surrounded himself with good people, including loving family, who are guiding him in the right direction. It is almost as if the crew are his wider family on some sort of summer excursion.
Teenage girls are going to enjoy this, and even I was fascinated by Bieber's story.
(G), 105 minutes
3.5/5
