Visually it is amazing. But it's basic. Only GOOD part of the video is last minute, but even that could've directed better. Mandler proves once again that he is the most basic video director ever
Black and white basic Rihanna whos just singing is just so unnecessary, those parts are too long in the video and doesn't even have any connection and just ruin the video
It was visually stunning but I felt it drug out slowly that I kept checking the time on the video to see when it would be over (which isn't a good thing) Only best parts were her in black and white with the lighting.
The video has beautifully filmed visuals, but it's problem is that none of the visuals really say or do anything. I don't get a sense of story, and if that wasn't the motive, I don't even get a sense of true emotion aside from clichés.
The use of slow motion or reverse editing does look nice, but because it's overused and because it wasn't used to say anything in particular, it just doesn't work for the video. The concluding riot scenes don't even carry as much emotion as they should, probably because we've seen this too many times before.
The song sounds innovative for Rihanna, but the video looks like nothing new for her, and would be fine, if it was done well. Instead we got a collage of things that have been popular in "serious" music videos.