It smells less like teen spirit than money, yet it bottles the carefree zest of pure pop so irresistably even non-Directioners will find themselves happily bip-bip-bopping along.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 5, 2017

This Is Us does what it needs to do for its target audience. But anyone looking for actual substance or insight will be disappointed and maybe even a little bored with its repetitive nature.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 31, 2013

[It] amounts to little more than a big, wet kiss to the group's worldwide legions of young, female fans

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 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.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 30, 2013

#RTtilyourthumbsbleed. Best. Movie. Ever.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 30, 2013

The fact is that they are as criminally cute as a basketful of puppies. This Is Us manages to frame that boyish appeal astutely ...

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 30, 2013

It might not make you a fan of One Direction, but it will certainly make you understand the group, which is the job of any good documentary.

| Original Score: B+ | Aug 30, 2013

The film is a successful witness to the great charm possessed by all five members of One Direction.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 29, 2013

This is a love letter to the fans from five boys who know how lucky they are and like to show off for the camera.

| Original Score: B | Aug 29, 2013

"One Direction: This Is Us" leaves the larger questions it points toward teasingly unexplored, making the film little more than a harmless keepsake.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 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.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 29, 2013

Adoring hordes will no doubt devour shots of shirtless head hunk Harry, simmering "quiet one" Zayn and the others goofing on their minders, while nonacolytes will giggle over the Jackass-lite pranks that seem to fill most of their downtime.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 29, 2013

It's not that Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson aren't charming and likable. The problem is that the movie offers no way of differentiating them beyond their hairstyles.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Aug 29, 2013

For the most part, the movie embraces harmless fun, which can be enjoyable for the audience members, whether they're 1D fans or not.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 29, 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.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 29, 2013

An airbrushed image of celibate wholesomeness without groupies or even girlfriends, and where evidently nothing stronger than milk passes these young men's lips.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Aug 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).

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 29, 2013

There is a very peculiar exchange of power going on between the fans of One Direction and the band, that makes the movie feel more than anything like a horribly grovelling, Mr Slopeish bow.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Aug 29, 2013

A tour documentary that's so streamlined, it could only have been produced by a machine.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Aug 29, 2013

The special accomplishment of One Direction: This Is Us is to balance these contradictory versions of its subjects.

| Aug 29, 2013