Boys boys boys

In the 2000s, boy bands were sacrificed so pop tarts like Lady Gaga could live. But, out of crusted hair gel rose a phoenix, or five of them, like cultural clockwork. In the vein of au courant concert documentaries, This Is Us follows teen dreams One Direction on tour, examining their rise to Spice Girls-fame after losing the reality talent competition X Factor in 2010. Almost sadly, *NSYNC these boys are not, eschewing matching outfits and dance routines for tattoos, Doors t-shirts and Blondie covers. There's little magic to 1D's live act, except for their smiles, with a lot of bouncing around and into each other – made more dizzying in 3D. Despite direction from Morgan Spurlock, 1D isn't any edgier by proxy. Still, the tunes are bearable for a day with your niece (or your bong), and a fascinating comment on the power of female obsession.

One Direction: This Is Us | Directed by Morgan Spurlock (United Kingdom, 2013). Starts September 12.