You’ve seen all fourteen teasers, now experience the whole pretty package: Britney Spears’ video for her dubstep-dabbling, chart-topping new single, “Hold It Against Me” is here.
In the clip, Britney is surrounded by previous incarnations of herself as seen in her entire videography played on a cage of television screens and monitors. She floats in a gown (resembling a wedding dress, though we’re not positive that was the intention), battles herself in a dubstep duel, and shoots paint out of her fingertips. (Certainly more original than having anything burst out of her chest, Katy Perry-style.) What better way to honor ridiculous pickup lines?
The video was directed by Jonas Åkerlund, the same man who turned Gaga and Beyonce into eccentrically-dressed criminals in the “Telephone” video. In this clip, however, Åkerlund transforms the vanilla candle lover into what she already is: a pop star who commands your attention in every frame.
Those lips looks straight out Rocky Horror (as well as recent videos from Kylie and Rihanna). The floating dress imagery is giving us chills, though, as well as Britney duking it out with her mirror image. Nicki Minaj’s confrontation with her evil side in Kanye’s “Monster” video is now our second favorite instance of a pop star having a showdown with herself in a video.
Our favorite thing about “Hold It Against Me”? No product placement! Except for, of course, the brand of Britney Spears. But you were going to buy that anyway.
(Ed. note: Apparently there is product placement in the VEVO version! Well, we just won’t watch that version, then. Thanks for providing options, Brit!)
What say you, Brit-heads and normal pop-loving folk? Did this video live up to the crazy amounts of hype that preceded it? And how does it stack up against Britney’s past music videos?
LOVE IT. Britney is still in control!!!!! LA REINA
I used to love watching her videos. She was an insane dancer. Now I watch every new video hoping that time will bring her back to her former glory. I gave her a pass on Circus and it’s videos because she was still getting back into performing but it’s been 2 years now. Why is it that she still can’t dance? and why does no one seem to care? Nevermind that this video made absolutely no sense.
I think I would be ok if she didn’t dance at all at this point, maybe at the ripe old age of 29 she just doesn’t have it in her anymore. But don’t half hand it, barely moving at all and use creative editing to make it look like you’re actually doing something. Dance for real or don’t dance at all. Either one I’d be fine with. I’m a huge Britney fan and have been since ’99 but it saddens me to watch this. And it’s not like the dancing is bad, it’s just deceptive and not nearly as good as it once was or as good as the hype would leave you to believe.
2:40. WTF is with her mouth. Explain please.
The biggest problem I have is the constant transitions, I thought it was edited very amateurishly , like the 3 video,. However I did enjoy it quite well, per new usual her backup dancers out perform her it did however seem as though they cut out more of her routine the part with her and the dancers during the second verse of the song felt like their was more to be seen. But the video is good I like the creepy wedding dress thing, the fighting the weird claw thing. The video was entertaining and ambitious
This is her best video since Toxic, easily. That said theirs still a lot to be desired, she never quite seemed like she was enjoying herself., and ongoing probably sadly. By pop standards this video slays, shes set the bar of what everyone has to try to top this year.
i lov it!
To go further into the dancing, I’m honestly not sure what the hell’s going on here a video surfaced a few years back of her dancing in the studio to mannequin and she was doing stellar but never has that umpth been displayed since. At 29 theirs no reason she shouldn’t be able to not only continue her dancing, but improve, I mean look at Janet Jackson.
Dancing is a pivotal part of her career, but after three albums of anything but, it seems as though this is something shes put behind her, she really does come across like a robot in these videos.
Maybe she just doesn’t want to do this anymore. No other artist could get away with such lack of effort, she hasn’t announced a single performance yet, and much like circus I suppose their will be one time guest appearance on a morning talking show day of album release where shell perform two songs halfassed and then let the rest sell itself.
Old Britney is gone forever. I like the video, but from this point on, honestly, I expect nothing of her, shes not going to try cause she doesn’t have to, her delusional fans will gobble it up regardless
This a great video. I love the way it looks and the concept. lol I just wish that I understood the paint coming out of her fingers. I agree with Brandon. The Britney we saw in “Toxic” no longer exists. New Britney tries though. I’ll admit that.
Dead brit dead no dance ! album next muerto no me gusta esta britney floja y asi hay mucha gente que no gusta de una britney floja
Okay..it’s basically a battle of the Britneys. it starts w/ the during the verses, the current Britney performs (w/ the dancers)..during the hook the old Britney (or what people want her to go back to and sees her as) performs..the break down is the old (blue) vs. the new (red)..notice both drop..neither loses..the transition into the end show glimpses of her current dancers and the old ones (the blind ones) whom combine in the end performance (in black)..she’s showing that the old Britney isn’t dead, but what she was then, is a part of who she is now..accept it. If you call yourself a true fan, then appreciate it and keep moving. If not, keep moving.
u r so beautiful and my best singer
I like when she fights herself.
alright imust point that out, iwasnt a fan of britney til this music video came out, the video is amazing, she is SEXY and her dance moves were EPIC..and the most of all that it has a story man, britney is beautiful (;
WOW! I LOVE THIS NEW VIDEO IT IS SO SEXY,I KNEW SHE WOULD BE BACK ,SHE HAS TALENT DO IT BRITNEY!
I love britney her voice but she make a mistake in her clip
before she splash whit paint you can see on her face a MEGA big smille
i go a picture made from it :O
but is not a problem for me :D i just love her clip