In the 2018 Super Bowl, Justin Timberlake performed on the safe side of things–nothing too flashy or monumental and no guest performers–due to his botched performance with Janet Jackson 14 years ago.

Timberlake emerged from a small, lazer-lit room, surrounded by girls and back-up dancers, belting his 2002 pop hit “Rock Your Body.”

Timberlake’s energy was up, along with the crowd’s.  His performance was nothing special, but it was still a good show.

His respectful tribute to Minneapolis hometown hero Prince, the mirror dance number, and his phone-video with a young fan in the stands were some of the major highlights of his performance.

The show lacked the theatrics of Lady Gaga’s performance last year, but Timberlake didn’t need them.  His classic voice and smooth dance moves were enough to keep the entertainment factor high.

Timberlake was constantly on the move, traveling from platform to platform, each with its own special something, the white piano platform for the Prince tribute, for instance.  

Timberlake closed his performance on a happy, upbeat note with his most recent single “Can’t Stop The Feeling.”  Timberlake entered the stands, leaving his hundreds of dancers on the field.  Taking videos with the fans and singing in the middle of the stands was a great way to end his show.

Timberlake did not disappoint when it came to choreography.  As soon as he stepped on the field, it was a nonstop show of complicated footwork and hand motions–very entertaining to watch.  He was always constantly in sync with his back-up dancers, and his vocals didn’t falter, despite the constant movement.

There was speculation before the game that Timberlake was planning on showing a hologram of Prince, something many would take issue with due to the fact that Prince had stated in interviews that when he died, he did not want to be brought back.  Instead, he opted for a Prince projection on a wind-blown sheet, a much better option and much more respectful.

It was evident the Timberlake’s goal was simply to entertain and please everyone.  He sang his hits, and integrated the crowd into his show.  There was nothing in his performance for people to get mad at: no grand political statement and no major problems or accidents.  He was there to please, and that is what he did.

Timberlake’s performance most certainly wasn’t one for the books.  His show couldn’t compare to some flashy shows from the past like Bruno Mars’ Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show.  Timberlake gave a solid show.  He may not have descended from the sky on cables like his predecessor, but his show was entertaining, nonetheless.