NikkoFranco
No one is arguing about the rock ingenuity of Metallica, and if you're a fan like us, this docu is like walking on fire. If you think about it, in our daily lives, we spend at least 40 hours a week working with colleagues, some of whom are tolerable, some straight from hell, and if like me, you have a batting average of staying in a company for more than five years, the more I can imagine how it must have felt for them years in and out with the same crew. At one point contempt will just slowly sink in and then communication breakdown. If we can separate our idolatry of the band to seeing them as just human beings, then you'll be able to finish this docu. Who would have thought that the lyrical, devilish, energetic , stage and puppetmasters of rock will bare their hearts and souls whining about the tiniest, most insignificant things ? Personally I have difficulty understanding tough men imagos acting like they're made of marshmallow , definitely not monsters like the suggestive title but more like rescue kittens in a shelter and at one point with all the bitching -it almost became hilarious ( hey, but that's me ) . Luckily, they were able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and all's well that ends well. My love for the band didn't change but my husband's love for them , somehow.
Sandcooler
Of all words to describe this movie, sadness is probably the most accurate. We see Metallica as we've never seen them before, nothing would make you believe they used to be an awesome band. We see them slave for months and months on new material, going through depressions and fights and getting psychological help for their fear of failure. The sad thing is, listening to "St.Anger" just makes you realise it just really wasn't worth it. It's just a very bad, uninspired record. You can hear them forcing themselves, and that's never good. This is an interesting document, but it's also painful to watch, with Dave Mustaine's appearance as it's "highlight". The way it captures a band in desperation is truly brilliant.
peter billionaire
This film has far too much group therapy and not nearly enough music. The issues expressed in the therapy sessions are banal; important to the participants, but not interesting to an outsider. You get no sense of why Metallica was so important to so many people. It is hard to believe that they would allow a film crew to record them in such an unfavorable light. The thing that leaped out about Metallica's music was always the furious, dark, angry energy. Hearing Lars complain about James being late to practice is not that exciting.And visually, they don't look so good up close anymore. Pushing 40, gaining weight, losing hair, with wives and children -- they even say it themselves: it's not rock'n'roll.Part of the fun of idolizing a band is that you think that the people are somehow different or special. That is a fantasy, of course, but it is an important part of being a fan. The film reduces the musicians back to just normal whiny folks.The therapist is obviously eager for the spotlight. It was unethical of him to agree to the filming of the group therapy, even though the participants agreed. When a camera crew is present, people speak and act differently than if no camera crew was there.There is some talk of money that you don't normally hear. Lars offered Rob Trujillo $1,000,000 as an advance when he joined the band. There is a discussion of voting rights based on percentages based on length of service. The therapist got $40,000 per month.
ash-10692
Whether you like Metallica's music or not, this is an essential watch. It follows the bands recording of the 2004 'St Anger' album and goes through all the highs and lows of being in Metallica. It includes the search for a new bass player, James' battle with alcohol addiction and the band generally being at each others throats the whole time. It also includes exclusive footage of Lars talking to Dave Mustaine for the first time since 1983.This film shows also who has the power and control in Metallica, and how little others have. They even resort to hiring a personal phychiatrist to sort out their problems.A must see for lovers of Metallica and documentaries everywhere.
AD
