PopStar Review by David Freedman

Andy Samberg co-wrote and stars in this on-the-nose mockumentary about Conner4Real, a hip-hop teen idol whose newest solo release bombs, forcing him to consider reuniting with his former boy band members, The Style Boyz. What makes this movie so much fun is that no one is safe from being skewered in this broad parody, from manufactured teen idols to – best of all – TMZ.

What elevates this re-tread is the great ensemble comedic cast and hilarious songs, also co-written by Samberg, with such titles as “I’m Not Gay,” the ironic and bombastic “I’m Humble” and the truly awful “Finest Girl” (Bin Laden Song). Somber fully invests Conner4Real with every embarrassing moment in Justin Bieber’s life (who we see briefly), and the cameos from some of music’s biggest stars, many with genuine looks of pain on their collective faces, keeps the story popping.

Co-directors Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone know not to linger on any joke or set piece for longer than absolutely necessary, which keeps the thin plot moving along, and the story is at its best when it sticks with the jabs at pop culture and our infatuation with fame.

Special Kudos to Jorma, who does triple duty here by also co-starring as Owen, Conner4Real’s childhood friend and concert DJ (all he actually does is hit ‘Play’ on his IPod), who is really the more talented one but faithfully rides his buddy’s famous coattails. The only real fault of the movie is that, because it is essentially one winking joke, the promise of the premise gets a little lost mid-way through the thankfully short one and a half hour running time. But Samberg and everyone else are so committed to this silly world in this update of “This is Spinal Tap,” that we all get to be in on that joke.

Rated R

1 Hour 26 Minutes

Get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Editor’s note: That’s my house, across the street in the very first frame of this trailer. Conner’s childhood was filmed on my street.

POPSTAR Review — NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING

by David Freedman