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Britney Spears’ “Radar” Video Barely Registers A Bleep

7/1/09, 4:35 pm EST

The story of Britney Spears’ new video for “Radar” is a strange one: The song was originally the third track on Brit’s 2007 album Blackout and charted that year on the Hot 100. Then it inexplicably reappeared in its exact same form as a bonus track to 2008’s Circus (Spears’ publicist responded it was the same version when RS reviewed Circus last year). Now, in 2009, “Radar” returns once again as a music video. For a song that’s been around so long, you’d expect that better ideas would have percolated during its video’s pre-production stages — especially after the great clips for “Womanizer,” “Circus” and “If U Seek Amy” — but instead we’re treated to Spears’ weakest video since the disastrous “Gimme More” spot.

The plot is eerily similar too, with the Dave Meyers-directed video essentially copycatting Madonna’s “Take A Bow” video. Instead of falling in love with a matador like the Material Girl, Spears has her eye on a polo player. While Madonna dressed the role of a distressed aristocratic senorita in the stands, Spears’ wardrobe and giant hat mirror the elite at the Kentucky Derby. Instead of montage shots of bulls, we see horses. The major difference here is that there’s a love triangle, even though none of the people involved actually seem to like each other as they stare vacantly off camera half the time. It feels like they took a 30-second commercial for one of Spears’ perfumes and turned it into a four-minute music video.

So where does Britney’s “Radar” rank in the pantheon of all her music videos? Is it better than “Lucky,” another video Meyers helmed for Spears? Check out Rolling Stone’s Britney Spears: The Complete Video Guide and judge for yourself.


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Comments

mike | 7/1/2009, 5:23 pm EST

“Then it inexplicably reappeared in its exact same form as a bonus track to 2008’s Circus.”

it’s not the exact same version as Blackout at all, actually. compare the vocals.

s | 7/1/2009, 5:28 pm EST

um yes it is the same exact version

Andrew | 7/1/2009, 10:25 pm EST

SO DISAPPOINTING! I expected better…I pictured something like Toxic’s video in my head…maybe there’s something in the video that no one noticed? There has to be a reason she released such a bad video for the song…it was so boring!

jojo | 7/2/2009, 2:26 am EST

There are either too explanations as to why this happened. One, she was trying to be different and mature. Too bad this is the wrong song to do it. If she wanted to be mature, she should have picked another song to do this concept. I mean honestly, anybody who listens to radar will tell you this is not a deep song. There is very little meaning or depth at all to this song. The other reason is b/c of Candies. It feels like this was made to endorse Candies (and the iphone). Quite frankly I am sick of all the product placements in her videos. It seems like every company wants to take advantage of Britney’s comeback but it’s ruining her videos. It started w/ circus and the bvalgari jewelry. It was not needed but didn’t really hurt the video. Then came If U Seek Amy with those constant, random shots of awful red heels. Seriously, the editing for that video was terrible b/c they kept focusing on those shoes. They even made her do stupid random things like pick up an piece of underwear and then drop for no reason. Why? Because it was just another chance to get a shot of those awful shoes. Those shoes also made it impossible to dance that much and when she did dance, you barely saw it because they still put random shots of those terrible shoes. Now w/ Radar, they placed in the iphone and Candies clothes. They decided to screw over another video for such a great song just for another product placement. I am very disappointed in you Britney.

r | 7/2/2009, 3:10 am EST

i dont think shes trying to rush yet. this was filmed on a break from her tour. just wait until the tour is over shell be back

mike | 7/2/2009, 5:42 am EST

s, no it really isn’t. seriously, just play the Blackout version and the Circus version and you’ll hear the difference.

ash | 7/2/2009, 7:17 am EST

im very disappointed i thought the video lacks that something its like the director hasnt filmed properly and just put anything there i think she should be dancing its a dance song im soo mad because i expected better and yeh lucky and boys are better videos than this one by far this is her worst video to date she looks good in what you can see of her but that annoys me to the clips are random

Stefan | 7/2/2009, 8:20 am EST

After 2 albums….really? THAT? Like every gay I waited for a memorable dance routine. This seems like the kind of play she’d do if there was a new song or a new album coming out. Wasn’t lucky before Slave? mmmmhm

Anonymous | 7/2/2009, 9:23 am EST

I don’t want to get too blue here, but doesn’t it look like Britney’s lusting after the horse?

Lyann | 7/2/2009, 9:39 am EST

This video is so boring…:(..so dissapointing ..
not dance…so boring..i think the big britney spears will back completly with her next album..nd i think that we’ll can c videos like slave,toxic..etc..cos this video is so boring i miss her olds videos:(:(

GODNEY | 7/2/2009, 10:10 am EST

I Love Britney Legend Spears and she looks so beautiful in the video

egos | 7/2/2009, 10:46 am EST

what a waste of talent, I mean, dave meyers…

Griff Simmons | 7/2/2009, 3:59 pm EST

Too much analysis for a vapid whore.

john | 7/2/2009, 7:12 pm EST

OKay…i love Britney. But this music video literally sucks.

like she doesn’t dancee at all…and that’s all Britney Fans really want to see..

she dissapointed all of us with thiss

Seth | 7/3/2009, 12:48 am EST

I don’t know, the more you watch it, the more it grows on you.

Ugh | 7/3/2009, 11:00 am EST

what a fucking let down… fuck you britney

Federico | 7/4/2009, 9:38 am EST

I don’t agree with the review at all. The video is pure innovation. Whenever she appears showing her body, the media criticise her for being a b*tch. Now, she doesn’t necessarily show her skin. And the media also criticise her. Come on!
Furthermore, the video is not the typical one in which she dances throughout. It’s like a mini-movie… I like it a lot. OK, it’s not Toxic, it’s not Oops! I did it again… But I think it IS very good… And, again, it’s pure innovation.

Omar | 7/4/2009, 12:40 pm EST

i love britney but. .this is terrible her worst video yet. dosnt relate to the song at all ready. she needed to dance and move around more. when she sings its not even in sync. . . such a shame because its a great song ruined by the video… Dave Meyers bad work

Rita | 7/4/2009, 4:58 pm EST

Depoimento excited about Michael Jackson’s reporting Glória Maria.

“With me, things are not normal. I interviewed the Michael Jackson (when he Rodou a clip in Brazil in 1996), he was interviewed me. I followed as recorded in Bahia and was negotiating to see if he spoke to me . We were in the pillory and Michael saw the affection of the people with me, then said conversaríamos When we arrived in Rio, and we got a slum was talking about 20 minutes. He asked me how was my beginning. Tell that came from a poor family, but was able to study. He wanted to know whether there was discrimination and racism in Brazil. I replied that yes, he was very interested to learn more. In the short time that I was with him, I had a glimpse of the man that was cool . I saw his arm and asked to move the hand. He had a thin skin and came to see that the whole body was taken by the disease, vitiligo.

As very few had the most dark, really would be easier to clear the little that remained in darkness. Then I noticed a hole in his nose and saw that he was always with a gauze lid. I asked what it was and he said that was a consequence of the second surgery he did, because he had a septal deviation and that, because of that, it was with a chronic infection in the nose. In those few minutes, some of the taboos that everyone had for me, eventually. I was sad to myself for having brought this story that everyone comments on their whitening, as something outside his will.

When Michael finished the recording, I made the move and he was quietinho, humble man and a fool of, and I hope to speak, but understand nothing of what I said. And he made the statement, saying “I love Brazil.” There were several surprises in a short meeting. I saw it was a fragile person, simple, without freshness. In the end, he pulled me, hugged me and kissed me. That myth that he fell asleep in a bubble. I was filthy, smells, and he hugged me without sick, without restriction.

What impressed me most was the look of it, the sadness, all the time. Just saw his eyes shining, looking child, when he was with Olodum. Michael pulava, ran from one side to another, in Pelourinho. The Spike Lee, who was the director of the clip, nor addressed, only captured the spontaneity of it.

I catch by surprise with the news of the death of Michael. I had a feeling of deep sadness. He was a human being could not be happier, could not have serenity in life, despite being a world idol. Everyone knows that his life, since birth, was pure suffering. Forgot the person who was there and, at least for me, it proved to be very generous. For me, it was not an idol, because he only liked the music at the time of the Jackson 5, but as human beings always intrigued me. I identify the soul with it. We are two persons, each in its own way, managed to win. “

cliff | 7/4/2009, 8:03 pm EST

ok. a chart of her worst videos so far. starting with worst:

1. gimme more
2. radar
3. someday (i will understand)

oh wait. no.1 belongs to Break the Ice – totally forgot. i bet the reviewer forgot as well.

disappointment yep. but the release of a song is also a disappointment to begin with. the fact is that she had to release the song as a single, because they signed a contract with Bloody Shy & Avant (the ones who made Toxic song), so lets not blame britney so much, she probably didnt even care releasing it in first place.

Sostupid | 7/4/2009, 8:15 pm EST

WTF, she sounds like a robot. It doesn’t even sound like a human voice.

Tweety | 7/4/2009, 9:14 pm EST

wut

marys | 7/5/2009, 1:44 am EST

This is probably the worst video I have seen. Ever. What was our Britney thinking?? Not only that, how so many people agreed to cast a horse as the star attraction in an electro-pop song entitled ‘Radar’ is beyond me.. Seriously, I may even boycott the concert nopw after this nonsebnse, its like Britney’s decided that she can throw any rubbish out and fans are just going to lap it up.

Classy | 7/5/2009, 6:03 pm EST

Whack video, but Britney does not get enough credit fo rhow fantastic-looking she is. Her face and body are KILLER. The song is good too.

Lame | 7/5/2009, 11:17 pm EST

I dont like to hate on anything, but I spent time watching and reading this and I have to get it out. Lame song and lame video. I wish Britney would grow up, maybe talk about something outside of guys and sex….. it’s just played out.

HONEST | 7/8/2009, 9:01 am EST

WHY YOU GOTTA BE SO HARD ON BRIT…SHE IS A SINGLE MOTHER OF 2 HANDSOME BOYS, SHE HAS CAME BACK UP FROM THE DEPTS OF HELL TO CHANGE HER LIFE AROUND…KUDOS TO BRITT!KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

Dave P | 7/8/2009, 1:03 pm EST

I liked the MGA…had a ‘61 just like it.

Mr. Nissa | 7/9/2009, 10:35 am EST

I like Brit a lot more than I like that skank Kim Kardashian. Now there is a nasty (**$# that needs to crawl under a rock and stay there.

amanda | 7/10/2009, 11:30 pm EST

half the crap you guys are saying is lame. the video is good, not as good as some but it is still good. maybe not for this song but she still rocks. just because this isnt what you like youre going to boycott her concert, sooo lame. grow up (:
i love you britney.

Russell | 7/13/2009, 6:24 am EST

I did not catch it on the previous album, but I LOVE it here!! I think the video is great as well!! LOVE IT!!!!

thisguyhere | 7/16/2009, 1:11 pm EST

Good song, bad video, but she does look very pretty.

commando | 7/19/2009, 6:06 pm EST

yes…i know her better than anyone. i see the parts no one else sees.

Olea | 7/20/2009, 4:56 am EST

Good song,good video. Why do you always expect to see her dancing or to stare at her almost naked body? Britney did something really mature. And i don’t understand this comparation with Madonna. After wathing this video several times i really liked it.One man is rich,he has everything, wins the champinship but he’s not happy because the woman he loves chooses the other guy – not rich, not triumfant but in the end he’s the real winner. Well done, in my opinion.

Katerina | 7/24/2009, 7:44 am EST

The song and the video are just AMAZING!!! Love them!

Becky | 8/7/2009, 1:55 pm EST

I think this is a great video. I like it alot because, she dosent have to dance in EVERY video. dontcha guys know variety?? It’s ok to have a video of britney not dancing, but more of her singing and calm. I like how she acts in this video and how she and the man both catch each other’s eye but dont necessarily know whats going on. And I dont know what you’re all talking about the horse??? where does that come in? I think it’s a good video. almost like a mini movie. and britney looks very pretty and fine in here. no craziness. no nudity. I like how you feel like you’re watching a video almost. But in some areas, the video wasnt made so good. Like, videos and these kinda vids, need constant action. meaning, the video clips keep getting shut off. like it closes then the next scene appears. like it keeps on goig to another scene. u know?

Michael | 8/14/2009, 5:05 pm EST

So if Britney was performing live and just stood there, in one spot, while performing this song, the very same people saying the video is “great” would be alright with that? Correct?

cj | 9/8/2009, 9:41 am EST

gurde song shes pretty fit 2 :D

cj | 9/8/2009, 9:41 am EST

gurde song shes pretty fit 2 :D

McGurkis | 10/18/2009, 9:01 pm EST

I absolutely LOVE the song Radar. The video was hot, but not what I was expecting at all. Something more techno, perhaps involving espinonage would have been appropriate. It’s a good dance song, and the lyrics are hot: “I get the tingle, I wanna mingle, that’s what I want” is a great line. It is very evocative in a few words.

christy | 11/7/2009, 6:54 am EST

I LOVE THIS VIDEO

stop criticizing her because she’s better than you.

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