A Split Decision on Justin Bieber

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 21, 2011 5:20PM

We've eagerly watched each new episode of Ebert Presents At The Movies, and this week's episode includes the finest moment yet for the fledgling program: a discussion that's articulate, scholarly, and just plain hilarious.

A critic-proof movie if ever there was one, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never has grossed about $50 million so far. On the show, Christy Lemire gives the movie a thumbs up, explaining, "I am not its target audience, but I was its target audience, mmm, about 25 years ago, or so. One thing this does really, really well is it captures that sensation, that overwhelming kind of effervescence of your first crush, your first idol, your first love." Ignatiy, meanwhile, is having none of it. "It exists largely so that audiences, or their parents, will pay $14 to watch an infomercial where the teen sensation rides Segways, prays, and sings a few songs, " he says, giving it a thumbs down. "The movie doesn’t so much document Bieber, as anoint him for sainthood."

Lemire ribs him, asking, "Why you gotta hate on the Biebs?" and then reveals, "If I can remind you, you actually know a Justin Bieber song, and you did prior to watching this movie." He can only reply, "'Baby' is a fairly ni - good piece of - it’s a very solid piece of pop song writing." The entire review is worth checking out.