There's one thing you can say about Justin Bieber. He knows how to make cameras and fans move to his own tune.
Director Jon Chu presents the social-media-bred pop phenom as an epic hero in this splashy 3D documentary.
"Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" is clearly designed to catapult the pop star's mythical rise to the next level of stardom. And all we can do is sit and watch as he works his little fans into a frenzy.
"I think about Justin Bieber, like, 99 percent of my life!" one says.
"Justin, will you marry me?"
Many a sigh, a scream, and a cry ensues. You better get used to it if you're going to sit through this one.
The film focuses on Bieber's sellout performance at New York's Madison Square Garden in 2010, a concert which sold out in less than 22 minutes.
Remarkably, Bieber and his handlers realized that ambition in just one year.
Before Bieber works the Gardens with the help of Jaden Smith, Miley Cyrus and Boyz II Men, Chu takes us back to this dreamboat's small-town start in Stratford, Ont.
As the film begins, an email inbox opens up. Suddenly the screen is flooded with baby pics and YouTube video clips of the precocious singer/drummer before he was discovered by record-label Svengali Scooter Braun and superstar mentor Usher.
Everywhere you look, Bieber's "live your dream" message is sold with well-orchestrated energy. One of the best examples comes when Bieber stands outside of Stratford's Avon Theatre watching a young girl busk as he used to do.
"Are you Justin Bieber?" the girl stutters.
"I used to be where you are," Bieber says, flashing his million-dollar smile.
From that point on, "Never Say Never" and all the passionate, bubblegum idolatry that it inspires is blown up into epic proportions that would make "Ben-Hur" look like a half-time commercial.
Every interview from Bieber's family, seventh grade teacher, vocal coach and others plays up that "live your dream" message, which is certainly not bad.
But instead of unearthing some real drama or little-known truths about this teen sensation, Chu ("Step Up 3D") takes the easy route and cashes in on Bieber's cuteness at every turn.
Bieber flick wields more gloss than greatness
We see well-calculated shots of Bieber minus his shirt.
We see Bieber trying to look sexy on stage as he mimics Usher's dance moves and grabs Cyrus to him during a duet.
That move nearly sends the Garden's concert goers into convulsions
Chu does take some fun shots at Bieber fever, especially in one slow-motion sequence where the singer flips his feathery mane to Etta James' R&B classic, "At Last."
Even Bieber cracks up at that one.
But for all its predictable gloss, "Never Say Never's" bigger appeal comes from the questions it raises about the price of fame in today's social-media world.
You have to wonder. Bieber made it to Madison Square Garden in a year. What will be next? Watching some eight-year-old unknown get there in half the time?
"Never Say Never" is no Oscar winner. And if you're looking for a hero with complexity of a Michael Jackson you won't find it here.
The film does one thing well: it gives hardcore fans all the 3D Bieber love they can stand.
Whether you like Bieber or hate him and his music, it really doesn't matter. "Never Say Never" is all about the show. Chu and Bieber put on a big one.
Two and a half stars out of four.
