‘Justin Bieber: Our World’ Review

I’ve always felt that Justin Bieber got more slack than he should have. I am sure we all would too had any one of us grown up with that kind of fame and fortune at such a young age. Over the years, we’ve seen the highs and lows of Bieber unfold in front of us. I am sure you have the crowd that states, “well it comes with being a celebrity,” which sure you’re right, but the lack of privacy can drive someone insane. 

I was never one for documentaries based on stars early on in their career, but that changed when last year’s Shawn Mendes: In The Wonder and this year’s Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry were released, and both were fantastic. So, I was excited to see this behind-the-scenes look at the life of Bieber. 

The show opens with Bieber performing at the Beverly Hotel and we rewind about thirty days with how the idea started. With COVID at its peak, the team had to get creative with everything. They found the Beverly Hotel where they were going to have Bieber perform on the roof while people watched from the balcony of the hotel rooms.

I was a little surprised by how Michael Ratner decided to shoot this. He doesn’t shoot it in chronological order. Instead, he blends the concert footage in with the days leading up to it. I thought it was something to set it apart from other documentaries.

It is always great to see growth in individuals, especially when their life has been on public display as long as Bieber’s has. He took on the leadership role that he should have but didn’t have to. It was fantastic to hear the people around him talk about his growth, how his family became more important, and how Bailey grounded him.

Throughout the documentary, you can’t help but fall in love with who Justin Bieber is. He is a uber-talented musician that has started to form into a man. Bieber is starting to blend his talents with this leadership. It shows with those around him that buy into him, his journey, and what he is trying to do. I loved the relationships he has built and, even more importantly, maintained throughout the years.

I think Ratner’s direction highlights the excitement surrounding the build to the concert and reveals the hard work that went into it with the restrictions in place. I give him credit for weaving in and out of the concert, but I wish he would’ve given us a little more regarding the build to the show. The concert was streamed worldwide, so we’ve seen it (or could see it). I wanted a little more about Bieber, the build to the show, the why, and more. Ratner saved some of his best work for when Bieber sings Lonely. We know the lyrics, but he is singing on the stage with a montage of younger Bieber in the background. It was an incredible moment (I wish it ended there).

Overall, I enjoyed the documentary. Bieber is a polarizing figure who has found himself throughout this unbelievable journey.

Verdict: B+

Amazon Studios will release JUSTIN BIEBER: OUR WORLD globally on Prime Video October 8th, 2021

Directed by: Michael D. Ratner
Starring: Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber
Plot: Justin Bieber: Our World takes viewers backstage, onstage and into the private world of the global superstar as he prepares for a record-breaking New Year’s Eve 2020 concert. After a three-year hiatus  from a full concert, Bieber delivers an electrifying performance on the rooftop of the Beverly Hilton Hotel for 240 invited guests — and millions of fans across the globe watching via livestream. Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Michael D. Ratner, the  94 minute documentary follows Bieber and his team for the month leading up to the show as they rehearse and construct  a monumental stage set. The film also captures personal self-shot moments between Bieber and his wife Hailey through the artist’s own lens.