One Direction: This is Us

Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock catapulted into the national spotlight when he stuffed himself with McDonald's hamburgers in Super Size Me. Now he's cashing in on a global pop music phenomenon with this authorized, relatively staid, but mostly insipid concert documentary centered on the wildly popular, British/Irish boy band One Direction. Filmed during the group's 2012-13 world tour, the film draws on live footage from more than 100 shows, ranging from London's O2 Arena to stops in Europe, Asia, Australia, Mexico, and North America, including Manhattan's Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles's Staples Center. Spurlock superficially profiles the five, slouching, working-class lads, who range in age from 19 to 21: mop-topped Harry Styles, bland Louis Tomlinson, generous Zayn Malik (who buys his mother a house), acoustic guitar-playing Niall Horan, and heavily-accented Liam Payne. Along the way, the documentary looks at their unlikely beginning in 2010, when they were matched as mates by Simon Cowell on The X Factor competition; their squealing, screaming fans; and their adjustment to fame and fortune, which includes visits from Chris Rock and Martin Scorsese, and reportedly selling more than 16 million albums worldwide. Unlike some other pop music documentaries, there's no drinking, smoking, drugs, or sex here (hard partying seems to be verboten, as well as any mention of Styles's brief fling with songbird Taylor Swift). But then again this profile is duly authorized under Pepsi sponsorship, and vetted not only by Columbia TriStar but also by Syco Records (Simon Cowell's production company), and the quintet's management. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 on Blu-ray, extras include extended scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a music video. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a "Fan Cut" version of the film with four additional songs, and more. Optional. (S. Granger)