Metallica Through the Never
1/4
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Metallica
Rated R for Some Violent Images and Language
The film industry depends on innovation (despite studios' preference to the contrary). Without visionary directors willing to take chances and push the boundaries of filmmaking, it would die out. Which is why "Metallica Through the Never" intrigued me despite the fact that I am not a Metallica fan (and harbor a mild resentment towards them after they helped bring down Napster). The film purports to be a blend of concert footage and narrative filmmaking. I was definitely interested.
Unfortunately, what we get is a 90-minute long music video featuring a band that's so generic that all their songs sound the same. It doesn't take long for monotony to set in. As for the story, it's trite, undeveloped, and not very interesting (despite the presence of Dane DeHaan since he has nothing to do or say). And adding insult to injury, it's left incomplete.
The story, what there is of one, is about a young worker named Trip (DeHaan) that's helping the band get ready for the concert. Apparently, a truck carrying something for the concert has run out of gas. Trip is sent to get it. On the way, he encounters a mob and an evil horseman who is hanging people from light posts.
The rest of the film is concert footage. For the first few minutes, Metallica's energy carries us through. They play with fire and life, but it doesn't last. With a movie that features musical numbers, the director must find a way to capture, or (more likely) substitute, the energy of being at the concert/play that is lost in translation. Director Nimrod Antal tries his best, but he can't do it.
It's not his fault, however. It's the band's. Either their range of music is non-existent, or they refused to play any of their different sounding songs. Whatever the reasons, every song sounds exactly alike. The effect nearly put me to sleep.
It would be dishonest of me to predict whether or not Metallica fans will like this, since I am not one (and based on the evidence, never will be). Not only is it deadly dull, some of the things that happen during the movie (which I will not give away) make it clear that this is a vanity project for the band. Not only are they untalented and/or not risk takers, they're egotistic.
There is one small positive thing about the film. There are times when Antal uses the story to mirror what is happening on the stage (for example, at one point there is machine gun use in the narrative, which is matched by a light show that looks and sounds like machine guns). That's kinda cool. Had the film taken more chances like this and tried new things, the film might have made up for the lack of quality in the music. As it is, it's just a waste of time.
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Metallica
Rated R for Some Violent Images and Language
The film industry depends on innovation (despite studios' preference to the contrary). Without visionary directors willing to take chances and push the boundaries of filmmaking, it would die out. Which is why "Metallica Through the Never" intrigued me despite the fact that I am not a Metallica fan (and harbor a mild resentment towards them after they helped bring down Napster). The film purports to be a blend of concert footage and narrative filmmaking. I was definitely interested.
Unfortunately, what we get is a 90-minute long music video featuring a band that's so generic that all their songs sound the same. It doesn't take long for monotony to set in. As for the story, it's trite, undeveloped, and not very interesting (despite the presence of Dane DeHaan since he has nothing to do or say). And adding insult to injury, it's left incomplete.
The story, what there is of one, is about a young worker named Trip (DeHaan) that's helping the band get ready for the concert. Apparently, a truck carrying something for the concert has run out of gas. Trip is sent to get it. On the way, he encounters a mob and an evil horseman who is hanging people from light posts.
The rest of the film is concert footage. For the first few minutes, Metallica's energy carries us through. They play with fire and life, but it doesn't last. With a movie that features musical numbers, the director must find a way to capture, or (more likely) substitute, the energy of being at the concert/play that is lost in translation. Director Nimrod Antal tries his best, but he can't do it.
It's not his fault, however. It's the band's. Either their range of music is non-existent, or they refused to play any of their different sounding songs. Whatever the reasons, every song sounds exactly alike. The effect nearly put me to sleep.
It would be dishonest of me to predict whether or not Metallica fans will like this, since I am not one (and based on the evidence, never will be). Not only is it deadly dull, some of the things that happen during the movie (which I will not give away) make it clear that this is a vanity project for the band. Not only are they untalented and/or not risk takers, they're egotistic.
There is one small positive thing about the film. There are times when Antal uses the story to mirror what is happening on the stage (for example, at one point there is machine gun use in the narrative, which is matched by a light show that looks and sounds like machine guns). That's kinda cool. Had the film taken more chances like this and tried new things, the film might have made up for the lack of quality in the music. As it is, it's just a waste of time.
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