One Direction:This Is Us

Every generation is met with a well-groomed, charming boy band that captivates the hearts of millions of teenage girls. One Direction, a British-Irish boy band, has met that phenomenon with its new 3-D documentary “One Direction: This Is Us” and has spawned a plague of new fans called “directioners.”  

Unlike most documentary concert films, “This Is Us” director Morgan Spurlock focused more on the behind-the-scenes aspect of the guys’ lives. The cameras follow the group from their hometowns to their cheeky banter backstage, with a handful of shirtless scenes in between, which are sure to please the tweens.

It’s clear that the personalities of each member are very different, yet they defeat the manufactured stereotype. They were crafted by Simon Cowell on the British “X-Factor” three years ago after each was cut following their individual auditions.

The 3-D component of the film was less than necessary, and only enhanced the film during concert scenes. The guys don’t actually come out of the screen, much to my dismay, but instead images from the backdrop of the stage come to life. The concert scenes placed great emphasis on the strong vocals of Zayn Malik, the “mysterious one” of the group.

With each piercing riff came another piercing scream from the audience in the movie and the theater.

The guys harp on the idea that they are not like other boy bands, in the way that they don’t all dress alike and don’t perform choreographed dance routines.

However, Harry Styles, the curly headed cherub of the group, seems to stand out among the rest. His raspy tone and hobo chic attire without a doubt drew in the most squeals from girls in the film, including myself.

One thing the five guys all have in common is the immense support of their fans, and a genuine appreciation for them. Throughout the film, they recognize that their success is solely because of the “directioners,” dating back to their days on the “X-Factor.”

Niall Horan, the Irish representative of the group, said they are just “normal guys doing an abnormal job.”  The film attests to the claim by showing them interacting with fans the same way they would with each other.

One Direction is anything but a manufactured machine.

The best takeaway from the film is that anyone can enjoy it. The flood of teenage girls is a minor detail compared to the humor, friendship and talent seen onscreen between Styles, Horan, Malik, Louis Tomlinson  and Liam Payne.

It will leave you feeling like you are 13 again and not the least bit guilty.