I once heard a wise man state that the video killed the radio star, but it did nothing to the pop star. Being a pop star can be a tough job, but you know what they say about tough jobs, someone has to do it. Someone has to put up with all those adoring fans and traveling the world first class all while everyone is singing your songs. Pop stars have been around since, well the invention of pop music and while some might argue the quality of the product is not as good, there is always thousands of screaming girls who will think different. It’s not just about the music anymore though, today’s pop stars have to rule the media world and to do that, you have to be everywhere.
Conner4Real (Andy Samberg) is one of those stars. Ever since leaving the popular The Style Boyz, Conner4Real has taken the world by storm. While Owen (Jorma Taccone) decides to go for the ride that is Conner’s life, the other part of The Style Boyz, Lawrence (Akiva Schaffer) has a falling out with the star. All over a dispute of credit of writing of Conner’s more popular songs, something that Conner has no time for. He’s too preoccupied with the release of his new album. It seems though after the album is released the world screams that it is not ready for whatever Conner’s new direction is, which sends him into a tailspin to new lows. That low though helps Conner’s discover a new high, and realize who is important to him and what made him a pop star in the first place.
While Conn4Real is not real, the story of him could be. The parallels to the life of Justin Bieber naturally comes up a few times, and it wouldn’t be too far fetched in some eyes that this story could be his. While there may be some similarities, this is a parody of such music documentaries as well as the above mentioned Bieber and anyone else who makes them. Written by Samberg, Schaffer, and Taccone or as they are know better as The Lonely Island, the later two also directing, with Samberg taking the lead as the star. The film will play very well to “The Lonely Island” fan base, as well as the Saturday Night Live crowd. While some fans might be satisfied you don’t have to be a fan of either to enjoy this movie, you just have to have a sense of humor. The laughs are there as you enter into the world of a mega pop star and the thirty-two people he has on his payroll so that he looks better. With the ideal run time and a soundtrack that will have you tapping your foot and laughing at the same time, good times are in store for you. It’s good when you can just have fun watching a movie, and this one never stops, stopping the fun.