In August I was lucky enough to see the New York City screening of the new Backstreet Boys documentary being released January 30th in the United States and February 26th worldwide.
You can read my review of the movie here: I Attended The NYC Screening of The Backstreet Boys Movie!!! (don’t worry…no real spoilers!)
Yes…I am a Backstreet Boys fan. But I don’t think you need to be a fan of the band to see this movie…in fact you may enjoy it as much or even more if you aren’t!
Before I continue, a little background on me so you can see where I am coming from. I have only really been a real BSB fan since June of 2014. I started to dabble into their music a few years back after seeing Nick on Dr. Phil. That interview had a major impact on my life and thus started the “fan-girl” ball rolling.
When I saw that Backstreet was performing in New Jersey this past summer I really just went to meet Nick and thank him in person. I never expected to come away a HUGE fan. Not only was the show amazing from start to finish, but I was so stunned by the whole “meet and greet” thing. I had never been to one before and the thought of doing that for hours day after day was quite impressive!
So, I guess that makes me a big fan for about 7 months. Some may say that doesn’t make me a “real” fan, and that’s fine. But that is why I think I can safely say that non-fans would enjoy the upcoming movie.
When I sat in that theater, I was pretty much in the dark…no pun intended…about most things BSB. I knew a bit about Nick since becoming a fan and had started to listen to and love the group’s music, but I really didn’t know about their back story as a group or as individuals.
As cool as it will probably be for longtime fans to relive their experiences, it is also awesome to just sit back and watch it unfold with fresh eyes.
Here is an excerpt from my movie review:
Twenty years is a long time to cover in under two hours, but I think it was done brilliantly! The movie flashes back and forth between past and present with old footage, newer footage, and interviews with the five Backstreet Boys.
I teared up more than once…in fact I think each of the guys were responsible for that at one point or another. The tears actually fell at three points…thank goodness for dark rooms!
We saw the group transform from boys to men and how that did not go without some bumps and hiccups in the road. We also see that the road still isn’t always smooth and that there are still hills they need to climb. There are some raw moments and even painful ones to watch. Two decades in and out of the spotlight…there is bound to be some baggage and some lingering issues. They are only human. And that’s the cool thing…we get to see that side of them as possibly never before.
There was also a good amount of levity and smiles! These dudes are funny and the way they play off of each other is magical…a mix of chemistry and history at it’s best! I laughed out loud many times and I was certainly not alone!
You can see their tight bond and feel their love for what they do, who they are, and especially for each other. Not just five men in a vocal group…five brothers.
You know the sign of a good thing when you don’t want it to end…and I did not want this to end!
You don’t have to love the band to love their story.
At it’s core, “Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of” is a story about friendship and family. I think we can all relate to that on some level!
It is also the story about the rise to fame and what happens in the years to follow. What becomes of a person after they are no longer at the top of the world? How does one handle the pressure of the spotlight and then the darkness when that spotlight no longer shines so brightly?
I look at it this way: I’m not a boxing fan, but I love “Rocky”. Most people love a good “come back” story…and this movie has that element to it! While BSB never really went away, they have stood the test of time and are showing people what they are made of!
It is listed as a documentary. However, it is also a drama and at many points a comedy. I’ll call it a “docudramedy”! You don’t need to know who the dudes on the screen are before watching to be captivated by their charm, charisma, and talents. (and um…yeah…they are all kinda cute too…ha, ha!)
You may not know their names before seeing the movie, but I bet you will be able to name Kevin, Howie, Brian, A.J. and Nick by the end.
I strongly encourage all Backstreet Boy fans to “Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of” and drag your non-fan friends and family to see this movie…I highly doubt they will be disappointed. Heck, they may just become a big fan…”In A World Like This” you never know!
Hugs and Planks,
Jen
p.s. “Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of”, the song and then the movie, has been a big source of inspiration and motivation for me this year. It was the theme of my “PlanksGiving” plank-a-thon which raised over $5,000 for Stand Up To Cancer in November. I am ever so grateful and cannot wait to see the movie again…this time with my husband…a non-fan but not for long! 🙂