One Direction: This Is Us
Sony Pictures Releasing | Release Date: August 30, 2013 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
49
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
19
Negative:
3
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
75
Chicago Sun-TimesBill StametsAug 30, 2013
The true strength of Spurlock’s documentary is how he showcases the behind-the-scenes, off-stage personalities of the One Direction boys. Read full review
75
Slant MagazineR. Kurt OsenlundAug 30, 2013
Some of the film's most memorable moments involve Niall and Liam looking down on oceans of screaming devotees in the street, and controlling their cheers like orchestra conductors. Read full review
67
The A.V. ClubA.A. Dowd Aug 28, 2013
Mostly, however, This Is Us counts on the musicians to supply the personality—a strategy that makes it feel more like an anonymous mash note than a warts-and-all glimpse behind the curtain. Then again, what warts? Read full review
63
USA TodayClaudia PuigSep 2, 2013
It's misleading to call this a documentary — fan fodder is more like it. Read full review
63
Washington PostStephanie MerryAug 31, 2013
I’m on to you, Spurlock. There are holes in your story about five lads who don’t appear to ever drink, smoke, fight, curse or partake in romantic dalliances of any kind. At least, not on screen. Read full review
60
The GuardianPeter BradshawSep 2, 2013
I suspect a previous, wackier idea for the film was ditched in favour of a slick promotional video about their jaw-dropping global tour, but I also have to admit that this is a rather watchable record of a phenomenon. Read full review
60
Time OutAndrew FrisicanoAug 29, 2013
It may be just an hour-and-a-half commercial for the new single, “Best Song Ever,” and a victory lap following a successful arena tour, but credit where it’s due: This behind-the-scenes look at the English-Irish boy band du jour captures the group’s unpretentious stage show and regular-joe nature in all their glory. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsJim FarberAug 28, 2013
The most telling quotes in the new One Direction documentary “This Is Us” don’t come from any member of the band. They come from their parents, who, at various times, carp about their kids’ trajectory from the moment they were put together on “The X Factor” back in 2010. Read full review
60
Arizona RepublicBill GoodykoontzAug 28, 2013
The director is known for visually quirky choices and offbeat interviews and asides. These techniques can be a mixed bag; sometimes they help lighten up a deadly serious segment, other times they seems silly. But it’s distinctive, and “This Is Us” could have used more of it. Read full review
60
Total FilmMatthew LeylandAug 28, 2013
Curveballs are rare in this pop-umentary on Earth’s biggest boyband; but with lengthy gig clips, lots of cute mucking-about (segways, disguises, hiding in wheelie bins) and Harry’s shirt off within the first 10 minutes, Directioners won’t be disappointed. Read full review
60
EmpireAnna SmithAug 26, 2013
1D in 3D: the closest thing to a Shine A Light for Directioners. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterJustin LoweAug 21, 2013
The filmmakers’ intent to depict them as “normal guys” mostly succeeds, primarily due to their not inconsiderable charm. Read full review
60
Time Out LondonStaff [Not Credited]Aug 21, 2013
What’s the opposite of warts-n-all? ‘No warts’ doesn’t even begin to describe Morgan Spurlock’s fly-on-the-wall film about One Direction. No warts, no acne – there’s not even a pimple on the butt of this on-tour portrait of the reality-bred boy popsters. Read full review
58
Entertainment WeeklyChris NashawatyAug 28, 2013
We're treated to what's essentially a slick, airbrushed promo reel of a bunch of genuinely sweet superstars who can't believe their dumb luck. That's charming. But it's also a little boring. What it's most definitely not is a documentary. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comChristy LemireSep 2, 2013
Someday, we may get the true story of One Direction behind the scenes, full of fears and fights, egos and eccentricities. But today is not that day, and Spurlock is clearly not that storyteller. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesMark OlsenAug 29, 2013
One Direction: This Is Us is not the raw confessional that title might imply but rather both a primer and new product presentation. Read full review
50
New York PostSara StewartAug 29, 2013
No personal revelations surface in “This Is Us.” Also, no narrative, no conflict — no differentiation between band members, even, besides the designation of dark-eyed Zayn as “the mysterious one” (he likes to paint). Read full review
50
St. Louis Post-DispatchJoe WilliamsAug 29, 2013
Spurlock teases the baby sitter contingent with a brief scene where a scientist discusses the neuro-chemical appeal of pop music, but thereafter the film is aimed squarely at face-value fans of the Pre-Fab Five. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleMarjorie BaumgartenAug 28, 2013
Amounts to little more than a big, wet kiss to the group’s worldwide legions of young, female fans. Read full review
50
McClatchy-Tribune News ServiceRoger MooreAug 26, 2013
It’s disappointing that Spurlock didn’t have the access, the footage or the spine to depict any of the cynicism behind such creations. Read full review
50
VarietyAndrew BarkerAug 20, 2013
The film’s central fivesome prove charming pallbearers throughout the film, which alternates between inspired and insipid as it hits its hagiographic marks. Read full review
40
The New York TimesMiriam BaleAug 29, 2013
With a group so evidently versed in the visuals of rock history, it’s a shame that a filmmaker wasn’t hired who would pay homage to classic pop films instead of offering a satisfactory paid promotional. Read full review
40
The DissolveGenevieve KoskiAug 29, 2013
Even with all the SFX overlays, it’s questionable whether any of this is entertaining enough to sustain even a svelte 92-minute runtime, but Spurlock and the boys can’t be faulted for holding back. Read full review
40
The TelegraphRobbie CollinAug 20, 2013
Spurlock himself is nowhere to be seen, perhaps because the man in charge of this film is plainly Cowell himself, whose influence hangs over the picture like the smell of a leaky bin bag. Read full review
38
Boston GlobeMarc HirshAug 29, 2013
The problem is that the movie offers no way of differentiating between them beyond their hairstyles. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChroniclePeter HartlaubSep 2, 2013
The 3-D 1D movie is aimless, seemingly deceptive and spreads a poor message: that it's OK to act extremely immature, as long as you have millions of blind followers who think it's cute. Read full review
20
Village VoiceAmy NicholsonAug 27, 2013
Even calling the film a documentary feels deluded. Read full review
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