One Direction’s new film This Is Us , held its world premiere in London on Tuesday , to much fawning from tweens and teens who camped overnight to get a close glimpse of their idols. Critics, however, are less than impressed.
The 3D film follows Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry, and Louis’ meteoric rise to fame, from their humble hometown beginnings and competing on the X-Factor, to conquering the world and performing at London’s famous O2 Arena.
London Leicester Square, where the premiere was held saw thousand of adolescent girls descending upon it and scream their heads off as each of the boys made their appearance.
The film, which is shot in documentary form,is directed by Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock, and is a backstage look at the band, which was formed on Simon Cowell’s TV talent show The X Factor in 2010.
London saw an invasion of One Direction fans who started arriving the day before so they could get a chance to take a picture or touch the This Is Us stars.
The band is one of the most followed around the world and in recent weeks have been the topic of fan suicide rumors on Twitter, which have since been debunked.
Even thought the fans are eager to watch their idols in all their 3D glory, critics are not being so enthusiastic about This Is Us, far from it actually.
Digital Spy review headline calls the film “propaganda” and an effort to promote their brand.
The Hollywood Reporter suggests that the band’s behavior has been carefully edited of any inappropriate partying, smoking, and misbehaving and focuses of the mostly female fans and the boys are shown in their best light.
Most critics recognize the guys have charisma, but the film fails to impress. One Direction’s This Is Us opens in theaters on August 30 in the US.