The Augustana Mirror

The Jennys catch Bieber Fever

By Jenny Lockhart and Jenny Rackl

Mirror Editor in Chief and Copy Editor

Published: Thursday, March 10, 2011

Updated: Friday, March 11, 2011

bieber

Press Photo

 

Everyone knows about him. Either you think you hate Bieber, or you sign his last name with yours because someday, you'll be his lady – take that Selena Gomez. Because of the cultural controversy surrounding Never Say Never,  we, the Jennys, decided to head to the theatre and decide for ourselves.

When we arrived at Century East at Dawley Farm for the 4:15 p.m., we found they were showing Never Say Never: the Director's Fan Cut 3D. Adding that to the fact that at 4 in the afternoon, most preteens are still at school, we had the luxury of a private viewing of the director's cut. Score!

JL: The movie opens with embarrassing home videos. I'm torn because I want to mock Bieber, but he's just so darn cute. And he has incredible rhythm for a child. Maybe the Biebs actually has talent?

JR: Awww, he wants to be a crossing guard when he grows up. I think that is the cutest aspiration ever.

JL: And baby Bieber thinks houses cost $59. I'm sure his terrible economic sense is working out well for the "family" surrounding him on these concert tours. These flashy purple backgrounds can't break my cynicism.

JR: I'm starting to feel like this kid might have actual street cred. I mean, he's in league with Snoop Dogg and Jayden Smith. And his role model is Usher. Ush-er.

JL: As we near the halfway point, I'm beginning to wonder if this is a documentary highlighting the prevalence of mental illness in preteen girls, or a movie about Bieber's life. I suppose the two are pretty interconnected, but some of these scenes are terrifying.

JR: I really like how they've incorporated the YouTube videos and the tweets into the action. The video montages are made for our generation.

JL: This might be a controversial statement, but I like the cinematography of the Bieber movie. Some of the video montages are as cutting edge as the rowing scene from The Social Network, and I hate to admit it, but the concert scenes look especially good in 3D.

JR: Oh, I love when they bring the one fan on stage to be the "one less lonely girl." Could you imagine being that preteen girl? What an unreal experience.

JL: Being 22, it's probably illegal for me to be serenaded by Bieber, but I'm starting to think this movie isn't such a disaster. And even though it's manufactured to make me appreciate Bieber, I sort of genuinely do…

JR: I mean, let's face it. Neither of us has ever banged anything with that level of rhythm.

JL: That's what she said!

JR: But seriously, I can't manage a guitar or a set of drums like he can. I think he's legit.

JL: The movie does a great job of showing his journey to fame. Because he campaigned hard with radio interviews and impromptu concerts, not to mention the YouTube videos, he had a huge fan base before he was radio-famous. And those girls feel just as responsible for discovering him as his agent.

JR: And really they are responsible. I am proud of them. I mean, I might stop the madness short of hyperventilating in Bieb's honor, but I guess devotion is what it is.

JL: Well, he's just as devoted to his fans – which we clearly saw. Bieber performs under conditions that a normal teenager couldn't handle. 120 concerts, with a broken foot and strep throat. That's intense.

JR: You know what I can do with strep throat? Cry for my mama. That's what. I definitely couldn't perform a concert.

JL: I think his dedication could be the reason he managed to sell out Madison Square Garden at age 16. The kid is legitimately talented, no matter what those haters say…I have no idea how this happened to me.

JR: Seriously. Did we take our meds before we came here?

JL: Obviously not the right ones, because I have Bieber Fever, and I don't care who knows it.

Biebs is right – never say never. These reluctant movie-goers were somehow transformed into full-fledged Beliebers. The Jennys agree that the Never Say Never: The Director's Fan Cut 3D deserves a five out of five stars. Heck, give it the whole Milky Way – that's how much we loved it. We'd see it again tonight.

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