SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2013 ‘Justin Bieber’s Believe’ review: Portrait of an artist who’s no longer a ‘Baby’

he idea that a 19-year-old kid worth $130 million can respond Although there are no moments like Chu’s sublime slow-motion to questions about level-headedness with “I’m not going to be shot of Bieber’s hair-flip in “Never Say Never,” the director doesn’t Tstupid” might be laughable, but few people in the audience of shy away from making light fun of the singer’s hallmarks, and even a “Justin Bieber’s Believe” are probably going to be laughing. A movie handful of his misdeeds. (He includes a sequence from Zach designed expressly for the music star’s fans and spun directly from Galifianakis’ “Between Two Ferns” with Bieber, which culminates in the success of its pop-biography predecessor, “Justin Bieber: Never the comedian whipping the singer with his belt.) Say Never,” Jon M. Chu’s follow-up documentary aims to look inside That said, Chu underscores the appreciation and reciprocity that Bieber as his success grows and the singer comes of age. Bieber and his team show the fans by capturing impresario Scooter But it’s a microscope of which the young star is all too aware, and Braun as he hands out tickets to fans waiting for the show. And in there’s simply too much lacquer on his image to get through to who one genuinely poignant sequence, Bieber breaks down as he recalls Bieber is or how he actually feels. “Believe” feels earnest but superfi- his experiences with 6-year-old Avalanna Routh, dubbed “Mrs cial, a next-chapter look at a star who hasn’t come enough to terms Bieber,” for whom he performed before she died of cancer. Far from with where he’s come from to contemplate where he is, or where being a somber tribute to the people whose lives he’s touched, he’s going. Shot concurrently with Bieber’s 2013 “Believe” tour, the however, “Believe” captures some dynamite concert footage, and film presumes that you know the singer’s backstory, not to mention Chu’s own maturity behind the camera is self-evident as he not only his personal peccadilloes over the past year or two. Contrasting films the action, but also coordinates it to maximize its impact cine- footage from the tour with fan tributes, collaborator interviews and matically. Indeed, even if some of Bieber’s songs remain unappeal- reflections from Bieber himself, Chu makes this second doc an ing, Chu chronicles their performance during the tour with a vivid- examination of a phenomenon in motion, commenting on the great ness and excitement that often feels infectious. opportunities - and, sure, occasional challenges - that come with Ultimately, it’s hard to look at the film from any sort of non-fan international superstardom. perspective and not see it as less than hagiography - a tribute to It’s easy to judge Bieber’s immaturity and his misbehavior - and Bieber’s success, and a complimentary portrait of how well he’s sup- to chortle at his insistence that he can handle the prospect of never posedly dealt with it. But even if the sort of documentary to allow its being told “no.” But there is a bona fide truth in Chu’s observation subject to describe without irony the intimate moments that he has that the singer is going through typical adolescent experiences, “when I’m on that crane,” “Believe” is probably as personal as Justin including being a jerk and making mistakes, that few of us ever had Bieber circa 2013 is going to get - not because, given the ubiqui- to do with the media scrutiny that Bieber constantly endures. tousness of the media coverage of his rise to stardom, he won’t For example, Bieber appears unquestionably ridiculous mad- open up, but rather that he probably can’t. — Reuters dogging UK paparazzi after they threaten to give him a beating. But how many young men have been forced to deal with people with cameras following their every move, and antagonizing them at Justin Bieber arrives for the world pre- every opportunity in the hopes of provoking a tantrum? The film miere of “Justin Bieber’s BELIEVE,” in never makes Bieber a martyr or seeks the audience’s pity, but it fairly this December 18, 2013 file photo at acknowledges he is dealing with a kind of attention most will never the Regal Cinemas at LA Live in Los face. Angeles, California.—AFP Jet Li treated for Martin apologizes for ‘Irresponsible’ overactive thyroid tweet, dings salon for misquoting it et Li says he’s being treated for an overac- he’s tackling his illness head-on. “I’m just a regu- tive thyroid, but he’s determined to fight lar guy, I’m not Wong Fei Hung, I’m not Huo teve Martin has apologized after tweet- American restaurant or at an Italian restau- the condition head-on. The Chinese action Yuan Jia (kung fu heroes he portrays on film), ing a joke about the spelling of “lasonia,” rant?” The joke would have implied that J star known for his kung fu skills discussed his I’m not a hero. I’m just like you.” A martial arts but dinged news outlets that made the African-Americans can’t spell. Salon later S diagnosis during the taping of a talent show champion at a young age, Li turned to acting joke seem more offensive than it was. Martin updated the story with a correction in small he’s judging in China. In Tuesday’s taping, the and began showing off his kung fu skills on big was joking with fans when a follower asked type: “An earlier version of this story misquot- 50-year-old Li appeared to have a fuller face and screens in the 1980s. him, “Is this how you spell lasonia?” Martin ed the tweet.” Martin later said on his website heavier frame. He said his weight has fluctuated He catapulted to fame in the ‘90s with the replied: “It depends. Are you in an African- that his quote was “irresponsible,” and offered but he’s taking it all in stride. Li joked about his “Once Upon a Time in China” films where he American neighborhood or at an Italian a “deep, sincere, and humble apology without weight gain and said “I’m fat, I don’t have the portrayed martial arts master Wong Fei Hung. restaurant?” He then deleted the respond and reservation.” But he clarified that he was mak- time to lose it. It’s a fact!” His Hollywood career includes such titles as apologized, saying it was a riff on the African- ing a joke about an unusual name - nothing He explained that exercise is not advised “Lethal Weapon 4,” “Romeo Must Die” and more American name “Lasonia.” else. with the medication he’s taking. An overactive recently “The Expendables 2.” Li confessed there But when Salon reported on the tweet, it Here is his full statement: I am very upset thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, causes changes in a are times he’s unsure if he’s able to carry on with said he had asked, “Are you in an African- that a tweet I sent out last week has been person’s metabolism and heart rate, among oth- work, but he’s determined. “I’m in pain, but I’m interpreted by some to be insulting to African er symptoms, but is generally treatable with not suffering. I’m happy,” he said. — Reuters Americans. By now media coverage of the medications. unfortunate tweet has only added to this per- Li was diagnosed in 2010. He kept his condi- ception. To those who were offended, again, I tion under control with medication, but it came offer a deep, sincere, and humble apology back with a vengeance recently. He said that without reservation. But I feel I need to tell you the context and origin of the joke. I was riffing on Twitter, inviting people to ask me grammar questions. I replied with what I hoped were funny answers. For example, a person might write “What’s the difference between “then” and “than?” I would say, “then” is a conjunc- tive preposition, and “than” is a misspelling of “thank.” I have done similar things to this on other occasions, and there is a great spirit of fun between me and the Twitters follow- File photo shows ers.—Reuters Chinese actor Jet Li smiles during a press event for announc- ing his new movie Steve Martin “Ocean Heaven,” in Taipei, Taiwan.—AP