“You walk into The Lonely Island guys’ machine. You walk into their vision. And it’s going to be funnier than what you can think of,” said Michael Bolton at the New York City premiere of “Popstar” Tuesday night at AMC Loews Lincoln Square. Bolton was just one of many A-list actors, comedians, and musicians who appeared in the film and showed up for the debut.
The documentary-style motion picture surrounds the ups-and-downs of a former boy band member gone solo. Connor4Real, played by Andy Samberg, leaves his childhood boy band, the Style Boys, played by Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, on bad terms. Now, Connor has to deal with severed friendships and floundering album sales under society’s microscope.
Although, the parody looks to be based on pop sensation Justin Bieber — with Samberg brandishing very similarly placed tattoos and wearing Bieber-esque ensembles — Lonely Island said the film is a bit bigger than that.
“It’s an amalgam of everything that is happening in pop music right now,” admitted Samberg. “We sort of smooshed them all together.”
The hour-and-a-half long feature hones in on every aspect of popular culture from mocking tabloid news programs, ridiculous artist-brand partnerships (music-playing refrigerators), and chart-topping songs comprised of catchy beats and silly lyrics.
Post-screening, A-listers like Jon Hamm and Bolton mingled under tea lights while enjoying black sea bass, egg rolls, truffle fries, and other bites at Tavern on the Green in Central Park.
“Popstar” bows June 3.
