Cinema theaters across Dubai and the rest of the world are jam-packed with ecstatic girls of all ages, screaming, laughing and crying while the documentary “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never” tells the story of Bieber’s meteoric rise to fame.
The documentary fittingly begins by focusing on YouTube introducing millions of Americans to Justin Biebers’s early performances as “the sneezing panda†and “the dramatic chipmunk.†That site also serves as a launching pad for talented artists and it’s where the star was discovered by his manager. Before then, Bieber was just another youngster with a good singing voice who was singing and playing guitar.
After showbiz professionals show interest in Bieber and provide him with their support, his rose to fame. To become a megastar, Bieber travels across the United States, visiting local radio stations and performing on air. His popularity is hard earned; he has to fight for it, one performance after another. The documentary shows how motivated Justin was even at a young age. While other young people may have given up, Bieber never stops working towards his goals.
Along with showing his rise to fame, the documentary also focuses on the days leading up to Bieber’s big show at Madison Square Garden. The days are full of anxiety as Bieber’s voice begins to falter on his concert tour. His doctors tell him that he needs rest but Bieber, ever the energetic teenager, wants to keep his concert schedule intact. He’s frustrated by the situation and hopes to recover before the big performance.
The story doesn’t always focus on the serious aspects of Bieber’s life, though. In one scene, the documentary pokes fun at Bieber’s famous haircut. In a self-deprecating way, the classic song “At Last†plays while Bieber’s hair is shown swaying in slow motion from side to side. Girls may swoon at the site but the filmmakers show that they have a sense of humor.
From the adolescent girls who adore the teenager to Bieber’s road crew and even Miley Cyrus, it’s difficult not to enjoy meeting the people who look up to Bieber and the ones who support him during his exhausting tours. Bieber, himself, is grateful for them and for his own success and it shows when he is seen praying several times during the film, both before eating and before some of his concerts.
What is surprising about Justin Bieber’s documentary is how enjoyable it is. Young and old walk out of theaters with respect for the young performer who worked tirelessly to market himself and establish his credibility.
For Bieber fans and for those who don’t like his music, “Never Say Never†is an enjoyable documentary about a young man who worked really hard for his success and who, as the title suggests, learned to never say never.
