Bieber’s 3D flick chronicles the making of a pop-culture phenomenon

DO YOU want to know what’s in store for you if you’re joining the long queue for Justin Bieber’s anticipated Mall of Asia concert on May 10? The teen superstar’s musical cum concert documentary, “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never,” will give you an idea—and more.

The docu doesn’t just show Bieber’s onstage moves, it insightfully chronicles the making of a pop-culture phenomenon—from his parents’ breakup when Justin was only 10 months old to when he finally emerges from out of Usher’s overwhelming shadow!

Sensationalism

If Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” managed to “humanize” the often-demonized former King of Pop, “Never Say Never” effectively proves that Bieber isn’t just another hyped-up by-product of YouTube-fueled sensationalism and savvy marketing.

From the moment you see the precocious Justin crooning Chris Brown’s “With You” or The Cardigans’ “Lovefool” and winning second place in his first singing competition, you know there’s more to this kid than all that hair and relentless self-promotion.

In nonlinear fashion, the film juggles production numbers from the concert, as well as pictures and video footage taken in his home in Canada.

At one point, when the people around him start talking about how stardom robbed Jackson of his childhood, Bieber turns to them and softly (but earnestly) implores, “Please, don’t let that happen to me.”

Teen Queen Miley Cyrus, who is at her loveliest here as she teasingly performs “Overboard” with Justin, knows only too well the cautionary dangers of celebrity (or how fleeting it can be)—and shares some tips about handling their shared “dilemma.”

But, Bieber has worked so hard to get to where he is now that a bad case of laryngitis that breaks the 86-gig run of his “My World” concert series depresses him—and he turns to his fans for comfort via tweets.

Exception

Interestingly, “Never Say Never” makes a solid case for three-dimensional films. Truth is, we’ve been avoiding 3D flicks like the plague, because we feel that the format is, for the most part, being used by producers merely as an excuse to make a quick buck.

In Bieber’s docu, however, 3D allows viewers the heady thrill of “experiencing” the show at front-row center! So, it’s like having the matinee idol serenade you with “Baby,” “Runaway Love,” “Eenie Meenie,” “One Less Lonely Girl,” “U Smile,” etc.—with the added attraction of seeing Cyrus, Usher, Sean Kingston, Ludacris, Boyz II Men, Snoop Dogg and Jaden Smith (whose humongous Afro ’do is something to behold) sharing the stage with Justin.

Sorry, the movie makes no mention of Bieber’s rumored Fil-Am paramour, Jasmine Villegas, who joined the second leg of Justin’s “My World” tour as an opening act. But, “Never Say Never” has enough poignant, Kleenex moments that will make you root for the teenage superstar, groove to his songs—and turn doubters into unabashed Beliebers!