I've watched this very long documentary (longer than the running time that is listed on IMDb) twice now, and I'm not even much of a Metallica fan. It is quite fascinating, the portrait of a band about to come apart but manages to endure, through "rock and roll group therapy," over several years, right up to recording a new album and going on tour.
The documentary is shot over two years (and Lars Ulrich goes through at least five different hair styles during the period). Some band members initially seem a bit unnerved by the presence of the cameras and the boom mic (particularly Hetfield). But once they get used to the equipment and the filmmakers' presence, they loosen up and let it all out. And there are decades of emotions that were bottled up by Hetfield, Ulrich, and even the usually quiet, mild-mannered Kirk Hammett. Perhaps adding to the tension is the constant presence of a counselor named Phil, who usually doesn't say much, just observes. But when he speaks out, the facial expressions of Ulrich and Hetfield paint clear pictures that "Dr. Phil" is hitting some core nerves.
Hetfield leaves the group (and the documentary) for nearly a year to undergo rehab for alcoholism. He comes back clean and sober and donning nerdy glasses, along with a rule that he can't work beyond 4 pm. This leads to some of the worst confrontations with the other band mates.
Some viewers may find similarities between this documentary and This is Spinal Tap, but really any documentary about a rock band made up of super ego types will include the onscreen banter and infighting that Spinal Tap spoofed.
There are some very interesting, even touching, moments in this 2 1/2 hour documentary. One involves a reunion with Ulrich and former band mate (and current leader of their main rival band Megadeath) Dave Mustaine. Mustaine touchingly recalls growing up with his "Danish buddy" Ulrich. He talks about spinning metal and punk 45s with him in 1981. Being forced out of Metallica clearly is something Mustaine never got over.
Another former member, Jason Newsted, is also given some coverage. After being kicked out of the band Newsted relaunches himself in a project called Echobrain, and members of Metallica are seen going to one of his performances.
Is the documentary a vanity project? Maybe. But name one rock documentary ("rockumentary") that isn't. The extended format of this documentary actually paved the way for other long documentaries, including the Peter Jackson-directed Beatles marathon "Get Back." While I won't be going out to get all of Metallica's albums after watching this, it is an entertaining glimpse into the creative minds of a rock subgenre (speed metal) I didn't know much about.
The documentary is shot over two years (and Lars Ulrich goes through at least five different hair styles during the period). Some band members initially seem a bit unnerved by the presence of the cameras and the boom mic (particularly Hetfield). But once they get used to the equipment and the filmmakers' presence, they loosen up and let it all out. And there are decades of emotions that were bottled up by Hetfield, Ulrich, and even the usually quiet, mild-mannered Kirk Hammett. Perhaps adding to the tension is the constant presence of a counselor named Phil, who usually doesn't say much, just observes. But when he speaks out, the facial expressions of Ulrich and Hetfield paint clear pictures that "Dr. Phil" is hitting some core nerves.
Hetfield leaves the group (and the documentary) for nearly a year to undergo rehab for alcoholism. He comes back clean and sober and donning nerdy glasses, along with a rule that he can't work beyond 4 pm. This leads to some of the worst confrontations with the other band mates.
Some viewers may find similarities between this documentary and This is Spinal Tap, but really any documentary about a rock band made up of super ego types will include the onscreen banter and infighting that Spinal Tap spoofed.
There are some very interesting, even touching, moments in this 2 1/2 hour documentary. One involves a reunion with Ulrich and former band mate (and current leader of their main rival band Megadeath) Dave Mustaine. Mustaine touchingly recalls growing up with his "Danish buddy" Ulrich. He talks about spinning metal and punk 45s with him in 1981. Being forced out of Metallica clearly is something Mustaine never got over.
Another former member, Jason Newsted, is also given some coverage. After being kicked out of the band Newsted relaunches himself in a project called Echobrain, and members of Metallica are seen going to one of his performances.
Is the documentary a vanity project? Maybe. But name one rock documentary ("rockumentary") that isn't. The extended format of this documentary actually paved the way for other long documentaries, including the Peter Jackson-directed Beatles marathon "Get Back." While I won't be going out to get all of Metallica's albums after watching this, it is an entertaining glimpse into the creative minds of a rock subgenre (speed metal) I didn't know much about.