Samberg Never Stops!

Rating: 9/10 (8 June 2016)

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016): Dir: Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone / Cast: Andy Sanberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, Tim Meadows, Sarah Silverman: Like the underrated Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story here is a mockumentary about the rise and fall of fame. Andy Samberg plays Conner Friel who fronts Conner4Real where he gives exaggerated performances that are mock by the media. He leaves his previous band the Style Boyz by walking over everyone with his ego. He announces his new album that offensively addresses themes of gay marriage. Jorma Taccone plays his DJ who is reduced to wearing a blinking lights oversized helmet on stage. Akiva Schaffer plays Lawrence, a song writer who left the band to become a wood worker on a farm. He resents Conner because of his ego and taking credit for his writing. Tim Meadows plays Conner's frustrated manager, and Sarah Silverman plays his publicist who must present a dose of reality to Conner when he is shamed and reduced to a drunken state at his mother's house. There is numerous celebrity cameos that are usually involved in mock music videos. Taccone and Schaffer also serve as directors and they blend comedy with the reality of fame. The production is flashy and fit the mood but the humor may draw protest from those who are not interested in seeing Samberg autograph a penis that emerges through the rolled down window of his limousine. Theme regards egos and fame and the crash that occurs when they meet. The result is funny and innovative but doesn't walk as hard as Dewey Cox. Score: 9 / 10