Review of Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) by Brian S — 07 Jun 2016

It was only going to be a matter of time for The Lonely Island to produce long-form content of what they excel at: catchy music videos with offbeat lyrics that result in laughs. Graduating from YouTube videos to the SNL Digital Shorts (and album releases), they have successfully made it to the Silver Screen with 2016s Popstar: Never Stop Stopping-a mockumentary that is absurd, relevant and most of all, entertaining.

Integrating their music video template for which they became known for, directors Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer and co-writer Andy Samberg more or less create a story to make sense and fit around their wheelhouse.

The plot isn't complex-about a pop star (Samberg) coming off of high success and crashing back to Earth-but the filmmakers give us just enough reason for things to happen and get to the next song (Mona Lisa or the Spanish-themed Ibitha are awesome) or gag piece.

The film flies by, has a cameo every couple of minutes (via many SNL alums), looks great (they really take advantage of the $20m budget) and never overstays its welcome. Similar to the filmmaker's first feature (2007s Hot Rod), they attempt a lot and take scenes to an absurdity that is rarely pulled off convincingly but with a name like Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, it really encapsulates what you will be in for; a comedy that comes off as stupid but really isn't but actually could be but enjoyable all the way through-and that is difficult to do.