Press Play - Justin Timberlake

Thank goodness for Walt Disney's ever-lasting love affair with a rodent. If it wasn't for the animated Mickey Mouse, there'd be no affluent Disneyland and, more importantly, no Mickey Mouse Club. Then there'd be no Justin Timberlake.

Had JT not joined the club he wouldn't have been part of the successful boy band N'Sync. Then his second solo offering FutureLove/SexSounds would probably never have come into being.

For all we know, we'd be left with Borat to epitomise virility and titillate adolescent and adult minds alike. Not on my watch, ladies!

Thank goodness that Mr Pop himself, who decided to bring sexy back, looks the part. In this, his second video off the new album, two songs are squeezed into one. The video incorporates a lot of dancing, a cameo appearance by producer-extraordinaire Timbaland and the rap KING himself TI in, get this: a double-breasted penguin suit.

What's your flava?
Unusual: Justin adds a touch of class to his somewhat dubious (after the Superbowl saga) reputation by using dancers who are fully dressed, so we're forced to focus only on their dance moves. Usual: Minus ten points for including the Bunnies-inspired barely dressed babes who aren't part of the dance ensemble but merely pose with TI.

On point?
The dancing is well choreographed and the steps are in synch with the beat (Timbaland is a genius). The video definitely enhances the song's appeal . Exhibit A: Because the video draws you in so much, you end up singing the cheesy lyrics.

What's the story?
On Timberlake's part, I vehemently stress: there's no storyline. In TI's verse, however, he ignores (oh, the pretence!) the near-naked lass beside him, bound to him by an elastic band, and retells how he'd hate to cancel his vacation but if she doesn't come with he won't die. "Forget your face, I swear I will," he enthuses.

Minute man or marathon man?
Exhibit B: I'm standing in the lift. As the doors open, a dark-haired girl with a nose ring, clad in Goth-like black garb, enters. Her phone rings. Instead of a classic Marilyn Manson song, My Love is her videotone. She sings along for a while and with her "hello" I smile thinking JT has crossed over in a major way and that makes him a marathon man.

Pimped out or played out?
A rather minimalist approach is used. The dichotomy is enhanced by the constant shifting of light. The video is shot in black and white so the background always seems flawless. Even these "bad boys" look immaculate, similar to Snoop Dogg's Drop it like it's Hot.

Rewind that
The best shot is when TI carelessly throws his passport at the camera. In slow motion it rolls in the air and conveniently opens up just where his photo is, then freezes. By using the camera's deep-focus we see a close-up of the picture in the passport and TI with the "bunny" in the background, all in the same frame. I love that.

Helen Herimbi, www.tonight.co.za

Tags: Justin, Timberlake, JT, Disneyland, pop