Review: Justin Bieber: Never Say Never - Herald Sun

<div readability="79.5"> <div class="article-media article-media-large media-count-1 first-image-650w366h"> <div class="" readability="6.5"> <div class="image " readability="8"> <!-- // .image-frame --> <p class="caption"> <span class="caption-text"><em>Justin Bieber: Never Say Never </em>gives fans around the world an exclusive VIP backstage pass into the life of the teen sensation. </span> <span class="image-source"><em>Source:</em> Supplied</span> </p> <!-- // .caption --> </div> </div> <!-- // .tabs .js-tabbed --> </div> <!-- // .article-media --> <div class="story-intro" readability="39"> <p><strong> <!-- google_ad_section_start(name=story_introduction, weight=high) --> Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (G) Director: John Chu (Step Up 2: The Streets)Starring: Justin Bieber, Jaden Smith, Miley Cyrus, Usher, Pattie Mallette, L.A. Reid. Verdict: How a super boy became a man of squeal. Stars: *** <!-- google_ad_section_end(name=story_introduction) --> </strong></p> </div><!-- // .story-intro --> <!-- google_ad_section_start(name=story_body, weight=high) --> <p>NOT surprisingly, it is hard work being Justin Bieber, pan-global tween-age sensation.</p><p>Absolutely surprisingly, it is not hard work watching Never Say Never. </p><p>In spite of its airy brief as a panting PR puff piece, this engaging concert-doco takes a semi-revealing splash inside the fishbowl through which its subject sees the world. </p><p>The opening half-hour of Never Say Never is particularly strong, charting Bieber's trailblazing odyssey from the outskirts of Nowheresville to the best address in Everywhere City with refreshing honesty and feeling. </p><p>Born to a teenage single mother in Canada and broke as broke can be for his entire childhood, the kid really did beat some billion-to-one odds to make it to the top. Only a total churl would not draw some inspiration from the viral marketing miracle that landed the lad's way. <br /></p><!-- // .story-sidebar --> <br />Some choice video footage shows a little boy all of five years old playing drums like a pro. By age eight he had the guitar and piano well under control. At 10, Bieber could play the trumpet, sing with note-perfect gusto and rap in a respectable enough fashion. <p>Nevertheless, he had to wait four long years before some grainy clips uploaded to YouTube - sourced from performances that only won him second place in a hometown talent quest - began to warp the world of popular culture as we know it.  </p><p>The second act of Never Say Never sees proceedings become somewhat fluffier and stuffier, as it prods those in the know for information about what it's like to be Justin Bieber right now. We hear at length from his mum Pattie (a nice lady), his grandparents (solid citizens), his childhood buddies (well-adjusted youths) and his management team (who can't quite hide that ch-ching glint in their eyes). </p><p>But strangely, we don't hear anything from Bieber at all. Though he can be witnessed joshing with his entourage from time to time, Bieber is the only participant in Never Say Never who does not directly address the filmmakers. </p><p>From this we come to learn that while much happens around Justin Bieber on a daily basis, not much happens to him. That's part of the package when you're a commodity. And it's partly sad when you recall that chirpy proto-prodigy from early in the film. </p><p>The rest of Never Say Never is pretty much what you feared it was going to be all along. During the Bieb's sell-out run at Madison Square Garden some special guest stars drop by to pay homage, push product, or both. Miley Cyrus clomps on stage throwing some very tired shapes, like the moody older sister Justin never had. </p><p>Jaden Smith might have starred in The Karate Kid, but he should be known as The Can't-Hold-A-Note Kid. At this sorry point in their career, Boyz II Men will Sing IV Food. </p><p>And there's Usher, gleefully bouncing about like anyone getting five per cent off the top of this phenomenon (for having handballed Bieber to his grateful record label) surely would. </p><p>VISIT justinbieberneversay never.com <br /> </p> <!-- google_ad_section_end(name=story_body) --> </div>