“One Direction: This is Us” At Least They’re Likable

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One Direction can now add a new accomplishment to their list: make a top-earning movie. Their film, which opened Aug. 30 in the US, debuted at number one (not including Labor Day), earning nearly $16 million, although it’s interesting to note that similar concert movies, like Miley Cyrus’, Justin Bieber’s, and Michael Jackson’s all started with over $23 million.

“One Direction:This is Us,” which has been marketed to teenage girls who are already fans, tells the tale of how the group came together on X-Factor. After seeing the five guys through bootcamp, Simon Cowell didn’t feel Niall, Harry, Zayn, Liam, or Louis, were strong enough as solo artists, but he didn’t want to let them go. So, genius struck, and he put them in a group. The film shows all the audition tapes, most of which do nothing but make you wonder how any of them made it through the first round. Then, heartbreakingly, the band is cut on the UK’s X-Factor, but that clearly did not stop the band from going anywhere. Zayn predicted on stage as they were booted in third place, “This isn’t the last of One Direction.”

The concert footage is broken up with some behind the scenes footage, interviews, and lots of screaming fans. One Direction’s movie definitely pinpoints the success behind the band, the fans. The amount of hysteria and chaos that follows the boys is fascinating and somewhat disturbing . One scene in particular stands out; the boys are shopping, when fans begin to recognize them (although, cameras probably won’t disguise you as normal people). The few fans who spot them turn into a mob of teenage girls surrounding the store the boys were locked in. Security had to push them through the crowd to safety. Yikes.

The behind the scenes footage doesn’t show much depth or vulnerability about these guys. Much of the background is probably not news to the flocks of girls going to see the movie. But one thing is for sure, these boys are likable, especially Harry and Niall. The two provide the audience with most of the laughs through out the film, whether intentional or not. Niall while at dinner, mistakenly believes that miso soup is to be put over rice, which proves just how young and still naive these boys truly are. Harry, who is shirtless for most of the movie, causes chaos at a fitting where he refuses to stay still for a photo. This may sound like another current diva teen heartthrob (looking at you Justin Bieber), but the intent is to make the people around him laugh — and to amuse himself.

The film works for what it is: a marketing tool. Parents who take their kids to see the film probably laughed at One Direction’s young boy mischief. Silly lines, like Zayn who said, “But I’m in a cool boyband, so, whatevs,” when talking about the reputation of boy bands and crazy antics show the parents how utterly charming these guys are. So, why not spend a little extra on posters for their daughters? Or even just the curious bunch who caught a matinee showing to not spend the extra money, will leave saying things like, “Aw they’re so cute.” I even overheard a fan saying, “I like them more now,” as I left the screening. (Is that possible?) While the film isn’t a social documentary like Spurlock fans are used to, the film does give one insight: whether or not you like One Direction, they are just five young boys who are working hard for their success. Niall says it best, they’re just just normal lads whose “job just happens to be abnormal.”

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