A Seventeen-Year-Old One Direction Fan Reviews This Is Us
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
From the bottom of the stairs, to the top of the charts, One Direction has conquered the world with their relatable music and have captivated many hearts with their unique personalities and horrific (some may even say hilarious) dancing. The new documentary, One Direction: This Is Us tells the phenomenal story of five normal boys from quiet hometowns instantaneously rising to fame.
This film displays an intimate look at Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayns Maliks’ lives before the X-Factor, competing on the X-Factor to performing in unbelievable places like the O2 Arena in London and MSG in New York. Taking a step back from the fame, the film captures precious moments these five would-be brothers’ share with one another as well as with their families. This Is Us has given Directioners (Niall’s fan endearment: A.K.A. Crazy Mofos) an outlook of how life really is through the eyes of One Direction.
As a huge fan of One Direction, I sat through the whole film quietly singing along to concert footage with the biggest smile on my face! I have grown an even bigger appreciation for how hard these guys work. There were times that I felt completely exhausted for the boys! It was humbling to see how much each of them means to one another. They are their own family when on tour and without each other they wouldn’t know how to survive alone. Get ready for some backstage mischief and adorable bonding moments! There was such raw emotion when the parents explained how life has changed so much seeing their babies grown up and experience many things without them. The only advice I can pass along is, prepare to laugh a whole lot and make sure to bring some tissues!
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With the exception of Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards (Zayn’s girlfriend), I was actually very disappointed in the fact that Eleanor Calder (Louis’ girlfriend) and Danielle Peazer (Liam’s past girlfriend) were not in the film at all! It would have been very interesting to see how each of these lovely ladies handles the attention from the fans. I would have also loved to have seen more siblings included in the film expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson in “One Direction: This Is Us.” Photo by Inc. – © 2013 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
I give a massive shout out to the director of Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock. A major goal of his while filming was to show a different side of the band that fans wouldn’t normally get to see in a typical interview. Spurlock really wanted to prove how normal each of the boys’ really is apart from their abnormal job. A couple ways Spurlock really displays this in the film is when Zayn is shown onscreen in his graffiti studio at home. There are literally spray painted walls and art everywhere! Zayn finds comfort in his art and it really reflects on another passion of his. Another example is when Liam and Harry are found discussing past memories of when the band was first put together. This discussion leads into what life would have been like if there were no One Direction. Liam goes on to answer one of Harry’s questions and replies saying something like, “I would probably be working in a factory but have always wanted to become a firefighter.” Liam goes on to explain that he has always wanted to save people; he may not know this, but he has. They all have.
In closing, those that are fans (Directioners) will surely enjoy One Direction: This Is Us. Those that are new to these loveable lads will be on the road to One Direction (good luck, because there is no turning back!) Spurlock really captured everything special about the band whether it’s Louis causing trouble, Harry’s lack of following directions, or Niall blowing some pretty deadly farts! They are definitely normal teenage boys who have become a band of brothers. This is One Direction.
