Rita Ora has the time of her life with a surprising supporting cast, in Joseph Kahn's show-stopping video for Rita's take on the Fatboy Slim classic.Although Praising You is a Norman Cook-approved interpolation of Praise You, Joseph Kahn avoids referencing it's legendary video. He very much does his own thing - of course he does - which is to create a colossally entertaining spectacle, and a fabulous vehicle for Rita Ora. We start with Rita performing in the church in the desert, a unconventional preacher, performing to a rapt congregation - who turn out to be a small army of mannequin dolls, with very unmannequin-like qualities. Every time they are in shot, they are all posed into hilariously uncanny positions. One of them is playing the organ... A few of them are raising their hands in amazement... And by the end, when Rita and her gang head out into the desert, a few of them are lying in a pile of disembodied pieces. The visual has the widescreen cinematic aesthetic you expect from Kahn's work, and some standout VFX - No.8 and POD LDN going above and beyond on the project on this project. Overall, it's a triumph - and a great team up. Kahn frames Rita's undeniable star quality in the best possible way. With explosions, obviously...
Rob Ulitski - 25th May 2023