Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping review: Lonely Island’s mockumentary skewers self-absorbed stardom
Musical comedy troupe Lonely Island’s mockumentary skewers modern pop culture, with Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andy Samberg playing a self-absorbed, Bieber-esque solo artist ready to unleash his second album on an unsuspecting public.
Taking aim at spoilt young mega stars and their ridiculous indulgences, the familiar plot is lifted by the energy of the cast and a script that’s as funny as it is observant. It’s aided by a line up of celebrities who are game for a laugh: Mariah Carey, Nas and Pink get in on the fun, while a proposal scene involving Seal turns out to be one of the film’s highlights.
Taking a great deal of inspiration from both This Is Spinal Tap and Judd Apatow (who produced the film), Popstar… is an entertaining observation of mainstream entertainment that’s far more intelligent than it lets on.