Timberlake's performance received mixed reviews. In a positive review, Bruce R. Miller of
Sioux City Journal wrote "Timberlake is a masterful live performer – which made Sunday's Super Bowl performance about the only sure bet," he continued commenting that the performer "did a lot of infectious dancing and managed to play with the crowd like no other." Although it did not have a moment that "stuck," he considered the Prince tribute the best moment of the show. In a similarly positive review, Taylor Weatherby of
Billboard said "there is no denying that Timberlake absolutely rocked his first headlining [halftime]", further adding "Timberlake's halftime show was undeniably mesmerizing. From starting in the concourse to making his way into the crowd (and making #SelfieKid an instant superstar) for the ending." She also considered it to be a "made for a TV experience" rather than for the public in the stadium, mainly for the sound quality difficulties, but also criticized him for including Rock Your Body in the set list. From the same magazine, Nina Braca wrote "his moves were on point," Also from Billboard, Andrew Unterberge wrote, "Timberlake's audio was somewhat lacking throughout...but the choreography, live-band energy and song selection were all pretty impeccable." Chris Willman of
Variety stated, "Timberlake turned in a more enjoyably physical performance than just about anybody else who's done the Bowl show… and if it was more a feat of athleticism than aestheticism, you can't say that's entirely inappropriate for the occasion." Willman also wrote that the show, "wasn't one for the ages, but was impressive as a show of athleticism" Daniel Fienberg of
The Hollywood Reporter called the show, "energetic, but also entirely lacking in live excitement." Feinberg criticized the show for largely lacking spontaneity and live vocals. Feinberg wrote that Timberlake delivered, "one of the most over-planned, least surprising performances imaginable." Darren Franich of
Entertainment Weekly graded Timberlake's performance a "C", calling it, "dutiful, and empty". Franich faulted Timberlake for playing too safe with his performance. Similarly, Fran Guan of
Vulture.com wrote, "Technically speaking, Timberlake's set was a testament to precision". Guan, however, criticized Timberlake's performance from lacking in personality, and regarded his performance as unmemorable.
The Guardian gave Timberlake 3 out of 5 stars, calling his performance forgettable but flashy. In an interview with NPR, Ann Powers said that "the entire performance was shrouded in the sense of Timberlake not being right for this moment — and the Janet Jackson controversy haunted it." Daniel D'Addarrio of
Time.com gave the performance a negative review, criticizing Timberlake for singing "Cry Me A River" and "Rock Your Body", calling the first song's lyrics about an evil promiscuous woman out of step with the national mood, and said that the only message from Timberlake's performance was that he loves his back catalog
Deadline felt "but you could see the motions more than you felt the music." Chris Richards of
The Washington Post regarded Timberlake's performance as, "unambiguously underwhelming".
USA Today and
Vulture compared Timberlake's performance unfavorably against Prince's own
2007 halftime show. However, Andrew Unterberge of Billboard considered Timberlake's decision to cut the song short to be wise. At the
70th Primetime Emmy Awards, the Super Bowl halftime show received four nominations:
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special,
Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special,
Outstanding Music Direction,
Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Limited Series, Movie Or Special. ==Commercial reception==