Snap Judgment: Rihanna's 'Disturbia' video lives up to its title

LG Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 07:41 PM EST

I typically do not fall for Rihanna's tricks, but this video and song are catchier than her others, I must admit. It's great to dance and sing to, but other than that, something new, please. And the pixie cut doesn't look very flattering for her face shape, I'm sorry. I find it quite annoying to look at. It looks like her mother was giving her a very short bowl haircut and then added some sad emo boy bangs. Not sexy, not "original". I'm sick of seeing girls copying this hairstyle, because it is simply unflattering and looks like she got stoned one night and did it herself.

highfield Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 04:12 AM EST

She has no talent or creativity like 99% of the crap they feed the mass population. She creeps me out b/c she do anything that the puppet master wants her to. Jay Z & her are "freinds" or whatever & he is a guy who claims he's God

G Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 11:50 AM EST

She is just so terrible that people such as fletch and myself get angry that she makes money being so terrible that we must vent our frustration and that forehead isn't human

Dave Mon, Sep 8, 2008 at 11:38 AM EST

I think she (and her people) have done a great job with this song. It really is immaterial what it's called, the video (which she co-directed BTW) turns an otherwise pointless song that reflects her appeal to the fans of the basest elements of pop music into an artistic homage to the likes of Thriller. She's not copying anyone... it just so happens that people like to imitate things that are successful. It's unique enough.
Honestly, she's got a hell of a voice, a bit of talent and she's drop-dead gorghttp://img2.timeinc.net/ew/i/popwatch/btn_postcomment.gifeous. Rihanna's not the best artist to mock.
Now Tila Tequila - there's someone to joke about.

Infinityboo Sat, Sep 6, 2008 at 12:42 AM EST

I think this video was great,she did something differant and I thought she rocked it well,be angry at her.I don't care,she still is going to make her money and get her fans.She got mine.

Wtf? Fri, Sep 5, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

I hate how dumb people are. When Rihanna first came on to the scene, no one was impressed. Her made-for-studio voice sucked in concert and she stole the beat from Tainted Love. She was on her way out. Then she got a wierd haircut and started wearing feathers and sh*t and now she's the greatest thing ever. Pop culture is so skewed. What happens when people are tired of the "now" Rihanna? I'm predicting long blonde locks, corsets, and a song called "Back to the Future".

Fiana Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 12:07 AM EST

ok so i found this site while searching to see if rihanna actually writes her own songs, and read the comments because i have nothing better to do at one in the morning, and i agree with fletch.

i will be fair and say she has a good singing voice (though it's probably helped along a LOT in the studio) but she seriously needs to just stop coming out with songs. they're annoying.
that's my personal opinion, agree with me or not, but yea, she's annoying as hell.

Fletch Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 06:09 PM EST

Well, in that case, I'm going to go get a bunch of King James Version Bibles, slap a sticker on the front that says "Fletch's Story", and sell them to the masses. Would that be okay, too?

RayT Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 06:06 PM EST

I can't believe no one, neither blogger nor posters, has mentioned the director, David LaChapelle. I love how he always takes extremely mainstream artists and portrays them in a completely different light than you're used to seeing them in. He's the director who's responsible for turning Christina into Xtina (for the "Dirrty" video) then softening her image again ("The Voice Within") as well as Britney's "Everytime" video which foresaw her meltdown (until MTV re-edited it because they claimed it glorified suicide).

Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 05:55 PM EST

This song is great - the lyrics speak to any kind of mental anguish while the dance beat is catchy and doesn't put you down. It's a great song for a night out. I love the video too. Who cares who wrote it, it's the mass entertainment industry, rehashing old ideas is a given. Also, stop hating on the woman - besides she's not the only one behind this song. All of us need to make a living somehow. Her way just looks like more fun than your average desk job.

Fletch Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 09:29 AM EST

I am neither a washed up artist nor someone that plays Xbox. I also acknowledge that lots of people "cop" pieces of songs. My problem with Rihanna is that her "cops" are so blatant and easy that they seem desparate. "SOS" took every part of "Tainted Love" muscially. All she did was change the lyrics. Mariah Carey did the same thing when she lifted "Gangsta of Love". And it was just as lame. If they want to cover the song, go ahead. But don't lift the entire song and try to pass it off.

Now we get Rihanna doing a song called "Disturbia". What's next? A song called "The Fog" or "The Hills Have Eyes"? The movie is so recent, it's like she's trying to gravy train on its success. Does anyone not see this?

And spare me the "get a life" crap. Are you not here posting the same as me? I'll get a life when you do, loser.

fletch fan Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 12:05 AM EST

Fletch speaks the truth. Bring back Quincy Jones!

Lenett Morgan Waite Sun, Aug 24, 2008 at 02:16 PM EST

If you listen to other artist's out now weather R & B Blues, Pop, Rock you will see that not just her but others are coping songs from the 40' through the 90's it can not be pined on just one vedio. Read a history book about music & get off the X BOX

Arjay Sun, Aug 24, 2008 at 10:06 AM EST

@ok: I see you couldn't resist commenting. Most aren't commenting because they agree.

Revolution Sun, Aug 24, 2008 at 06:45 AM EST

i think fletch is a washed up artist. lol. hi hater

ok Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 09:11 PM EST

So Arjay wants attention badly, so I suggest no one respond to it

Dave Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 07:52 PM EST

I didn't realize they mentioned the NIN reference in the review. Whoops. I rarely read EW's stuff anyway.

Dave Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 07:49 PM EST

It's a great dance pop song with a NIN video circa 1994. That's awesome in my book.

Arjay Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 07:33 PM EST

Like most black "art" - too much negritude and not enough talent. When White men retake control of our cultural institutions from the Jews in the next coupla years - this will be among the first problems we fix.

I totally agree Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 12:30 PM EST

There is sooo much meaning in um-barealla-ella-ella-eh-eh-eh. And can Shut Up and Drive possibly get any deeper? Me thinks not.

Leon Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 08:55 AM EST

I think it needs more cowbell.

Jade Sat, Aug 23, 2008 at 07:08 AM EST

Rhianna is a good artist her music her songs just have lots of meaning in them.. so get a life will ya!

YARitZa Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 09:08 PM EST

well I agree wit fletch she scks hardcore also she needs singing lessons from her hot sexy bf chris brown

Fletch Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 05:23 PM EST

The second that it was over was the best thing about it.

Shasta Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 04:50 PM EST

Calm down, Felch. Let's talk about the video! It's trying too hard, and it was kinda a snooze. But, I will give props to the Thunderdome headdress thing she's wearing. That was the best (possibly the only good) thing about the video. More post-apocalyptic headdresses, please!

Fletch Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 03:35 PM EST

No, the fact that she is doing anything other than working at Burger King or stripping is the most disturbing...

mensch Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 10:25 AM EST

the cigarette was most disturbing

Fletch Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 09:51 AM EST

I know so much about her? I know what KIIS and itunes shoves down my throat. You don't have to do a ton of research to know that she lifts entire songs and just redoes the lyrics ("SOS") - it's right there in your face.

Again, since you appear to be on the slower side, it really doesn't take "a lot of time to blog about her". Seriously, what I just wrote took less than two minutes. I think I can spare that amount.

Funny that some of you question the time I spend writing. But doesn't it take you at least as long to comment on me? How is that any different? That's curious...

smartas Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 09:43 AM EST

Fletch, you are too funny! You know so much about her and you have a lot of time to blog about her. Maybe you need a little release..........but please don't post the details of that!

Fletch Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 09:22 AM EST

Anonymous poster - I don't know about you, but it really doesn't take me a lot of time to write these brief missives. Perhaps you struggle with the English language. I don't know. I think I can spare the 2-1/2 minutes to explain to you all why she doesn't deserve a nickel of anyone's money. But thank you for your concern.

Harry Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 04:28 AM EST

She's gorgeous, enthralling voice, considerable personality...what more can i say...Disturbia is not written by Rihanna, she couldn't decide the title...She's totally innocent...but Chris gave the title..blame him then(hate him, incompatible to Rihanna)...You said the title Take A Bow is taken from Madonna's...Then, what do you have to say about the same song title of Leona Lewis's version? Does she copy it too...
Giving statement without wisdom leads you to most stupid a conclusion could be...

Harry Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 04:18 AM EST

Even if she did copy Mr. Jackson version of Thriller,so what? Vanilla Sky ridiculously remade her version of Umbrella.. at least she did it the professional way,...After years, at least there's something positive about that gay superstar(after those notorious cases of sodomizing children; boy)...someone copied his vid(poor him; as what most people would say)..it;s positive for him, i guess.

Harry Fri, Aug 22, 2008 at 04:09 AM EST

I think these darn haters are drowning in what we call; typical jealousy... Rihanna is doing just fine... U dont have to lie to yourself, she's good... i know.
but since she is doing better(i mean much much better than ur favourite artiste), u tend to condemn her, isn't? Just accept that fact,cause it's true...

Susan Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 08:53 PM EST

Why isn't Rihanna making out with Shia LaBouef in this video? Just askin'.

"Disturbia" has a cool beat. It's a guilty pleasure tune. However,the video IS Rihanna's version of "Thriller." She's copying Michael Jackson now. She sampled Soft Cell,she took a Madonna title ("Take a Bow"),and now this.

"Disturbia" would've worked in the disturbing movie "Rock my world" (a dead-looking Peter O'Toole rocks out) or in the "Elijah Wood goes nuts" montage in the B movie "Day Zero." People forgive bad movies if they have decent music.

Sam Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 08:51 PM EST

confidential: she might want to try leartning to sing from someone can, aka not chris brown

cap Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 08:41 PM EST

She looks just like Janet Jackson in that "Scream" video, with the set from "Thriller", lol. Not really a fan but I won't condemn because a lot of people like that stuff.

raven Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 08:38 PM EST

i love this song but i don't like the video. the first time i saw it i thought of nin closer vid too, and then i thought about how the disturbia vid looks kinda cheap in comparison, and like its trying too hard. but dont get me wrong, i still like the song and rihanna too.

sorry Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 07:45 PM EST

The video itself is cool, but does anyone honestly believe Rihanna and her vice would be as popular as she is if he weighed 200lbs? Didn't think so.

Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 06:41 PM EST

Fletch -- for someone who hates Rihanna so much, you sure are spending a lot of time commenting about her. If you don't like the song, fine. Stop ragging on other people (and their opinions) like a little kid and go read something else.

Ben Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 06:34 PM EST

Love the song, ADORE the video.

Fletch Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 05:32 PM EST

"But she's done plenty of videos that don't seem to quite fit her personality, so that's not unusual."

Personality? What do you know about her personality? All we know is that she puts out crappy music to make alot money off of the lowest common denominator. I think her videos reflect that aspect of her personality quite well...

monica Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 05:15 PM EST

i like the song enough to not change it when it comes on the radio, but i wouldn't buy it on iTunes or recommend it to any of my friends. As for the video...it's just not very Rihanna. But she's done plenty of videos that don't seem to quite fit her personality, so that's not unusual.

Fletch Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 05:11 PM EST

She sucks and you suck. Now go make me a sandwich.

sara Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 04:57 PM EST

This video is crazy good. She's a great performer and showoman. Shame on you dumpers.

confidential Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 03:09 PM EST

To clarify a bit, I believe she did write this song with Chris Brown. Its a shame.. All the time they spend together and he can't teach her to sing.

confidential Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 02:54 PM EST

It doesn't matter how much creative syrup you put on this poopy song, she can't sing!

Fletch Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 02:41 PM EST

She doesn't write her own songs - as most "singers" don't. Therefore, she isn't as talented as musicians that actually write and actually play instruments.

Someone thought she looked good, and she has an okay voice - so they packaged her up, gave her someone else's songs, (over)produced those songs, and shoved it down all of our throats.

It's just music that's not very good, and it's freaking everywhere. She sucks, bottom line.

confidential Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 02:40 PM EST

It doesn't matter how much creative syrup you put on this poopy song, she can't sing!

jcarla Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 02:21 PM EST

Fletch, she's a singer. How many singers write thier own songs? Most don't.

Fletch Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 02:12 PM EST

She didn't write the song. And that is not further evidence that she cannot come up with an idea HOW exactly?

Adrienn Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 02:03 PM EST

Fletch -- she didn't write the song, so you can't say she used the name of the movie. I read a magazine article that it was originally a song for Chris Brown, but she liked it so much that she decided to do it.

Fletch Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 01:31 PM EST

She sucks. It wasn't bad enough that she lifted all of "Tainted Love" for SOS, but then she used the name of the movie "Disturbia" as a song title. Seriously, does she have one single original thought in that big vacuous head of hers? Cripes...