Director: Morgan Spurlock Starring: Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson
Besides featuring another up and coming boy band in our Music column this month, you have everyone’s favorite One Direction bringing out their first ever DVD capturing the band as they grew from school boys to a global music phenomenon. Weaved with stunning live concert footage, this inspiring feature film tells the remarkable story of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis' meteoric rise to fame, from their humble hometown beginnings and competing on the X-Factor, to conquering the world and performing at London’s famed O2 Arena. Hear it from the boys themselves and see through their own eyes what it's really like to be One Direction
Discovered by music guru Simon Cowell on the U.K.'s "The X Factor" in 2010, Cowell turned the band into a major popular act when the boys released their debut in March 2011, with an album called Up All Night, that not only made UK history, but it was also the first time a U.K. group's debut album entered the U.S. Billboard 200 chart at No. 1.
We also get to watch, how big their fan following is. In one case, Niall opens the doors to his balcony and the screams resonate, while the five greet their fans in Italy and the numbers are astounding. The five admit that they’re terrible dancers (but we still get to see a session with their choreographer), hairdressers and security guards, and by the look of it we can judge just how these people tolerate five young kids. Before one concert, we have Niall dresses up as a security guard and openly confronts concertgoers, who are unaware of who he is. This shows that the band and their fan base are still just kids. They are talented musicians no doubt about it, but most importantly; success has not changed them… at all.
The documentary tells not only shows one of the hottest bands in the world through the eyes of hysterical female fans, but also both the onstage and offstage lives of the boys, backstage preparations for concerts, and the usual frenzy of live concerts, with also a major chunk on a human angle, their lives with their families, one very touching when Zayn gives his mother a new home, You also have the quieter moments when they go fishing, Their parents and other family members interaction with the band members at their homes is amazing.
The Bonus Features are not to be missed. Besides the Best Song Ever music video, you also have the five Going Home featurettes that follows each member as they head home for the first time since their group’s phenomenal success started and talking about the things close to them, like you have Niall’s visit to the bakery he once worked at. There’s also Before the Show and The 1D Family featurettes. All these go to show how life-changing success can be. It’s an "all-access" pass to the British pop sensation.
However a little bit of the love connections with the bands members has been left out, especially with the one with Zayn Malik’s rumored affair with Pierre Edwards. This would add a bit of mushiness to the film.
By the time the credits roll, we bet you’ll be singing one of their songs, or at least possess an increased knowledge of the lads from the UK. More than that, watching this film, will provide enough evidence to prompt you to want to watch them Live…….that’s only if they tour India. We can’t wait.
-- Reviewed by Verus Ferreira