REVIEW: 1D pleases in 3D

By Jennifer Robertson

One Direction: This is Us in 3D is a musical and performing arts documentary-style film. The movie follows the members of the British boy band, One Direction, starting with their humble beginnings as solo performers on The X Factor, when every one of them was voted off. It continues all the way to their worldwide tour which included the UK, the U.S., Australia, Japan and Africa and ended in Mexico City.

From playful shenanigans, both on and off stage, to impressive performances, each member’s true personality and talent is revealed. It was fun to watch the boys’ fascination with their newfound fame. In some scenes, they seem quite shocked by their popularity.

The documentary also takes an intimate look at each of the boys’ parents and how they deal with their children’s overnight stardom. Their kids left home for an audition on The X Factor; by the time they returned home, they had seen the world.

Seeing this movie in 3D makes you feel as if you are at the concerts with thousands of frenzied, hysterical fans, not unlike the Elvis and Beatles crazes in the ’50s and ’60s. For the fans, it is clear to see that this is not just a band, but a religion.

In fact, 1D, as they also are called, achieved international success within record time of its formation, beating the Beatles’ record.

1D was signed by Columbia in 2010. In 2011, it became the first British group to go straight to No. 1 within a week of its debut album in the United States. The album, Up All Night, landed 1D in the Guinness World Records. Its second album, Take Me Home, hit No. 1 on the charts in 35 countries by 2012.

All of 1Ds greatest hits are covered in the film, including “Best Song Ever,” “Little Things” and “Beautiful,” as well as several backstage rehearsals that surely will appeal to fans.

I admit that I arrived as a skeptic but left a fan. They won me over with their cover of Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag,” which I found edgy for a pop band.

Even if you’re not a 1D fan, anyone can appreciate a well-documented overnight success story. If you’re going to see it, I definitely recommend seeing it in 3-D.