Customer Reviews

Metallica - Some Kind of Monster

5 star:		(68)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(26)

 

 

During the first ten minutes I felt pretty much like turning it off, which, is pretty much how I've felt about Metallica for more than a few years. Something compelled me to stay with it and 15 minutes into it I was riveted by watching the inner machinations of a shattered phoenix trying to pull itself out of not ashes, but muck and mire.

Enter Shrinkman (sorry boys) in the form of a psychiatrist named Phil who starts opening doors the boys seem intent on keeping shut . . . indeed, James slams a few shut. Like voyeurs we're invited to watch egos dashed, pretension shattered, raw nerves at the fraying point and more than a little whining, self-pitying and prima donna posturing as the Metalliboyz grow older and are forced to cope with an ever changing music industry as well as life itself.

One of the most moving moments is a confrontation/reconciliation with Dave Mustaine. A misty eyed Mustaine lays out plain and simple the pain he endured in the years since he (literally) got thrown out of the band. Watching an uncomfortable Lars try to come to terms and his full comprehension and realization of that decision - for good or ill - is stuff that cannot be scripted, cannot be acted it is life.

To their credit they come out alive, stronger, wiser and full of hope, acceptance and promise. What this remarkable documentary captures is akin to watching the dead come back to life. This is raw, inspiring, powerful stuff, and in its own way, something of a miracle.

Very good documentary that will appeal to anyone with a keen interest in the inner workings of a rock band. Equal parts redemption story and kitchen-sink drama, "Metallica - Some Kind of Monster" is an honest but self-indulgent look into the private world of multi-millionaire rockers who, at the end of the day, simply cannot communicate their love and respect for each other, and the band they have made so famous.

Band leader James Hetfield, fresh out of rehab, constantly locks horns with "I-just-wanna-play-rock-n-roll" drummer Lars Ulrich, and spends most of his time fretting over his self-imposed 4-hour per day work schedule, and whether he even wants to be in the band anymore. Ulrich meanwhile fakes interest in Hetfield's mental recovery, the farcical "lyrics-by-committee" approach to the new record, and seems happiest when his multi-million dollar collection of modern art goes under the hammer for record prices. Guitarist Kirk Hammett equivocates on most of the key decisions and discussions, but comes off as a straightforward guy just wanting the best for his band and his buddies. All of which, much to Metallica's credit, is captured mercilessly by the camera crew. This includes the most bizarre aspect of the film, in which an ever present middle-aged Dr. Eugene Landy-type, hired by the band for $40k per month to help guide and mediate their feelings towards one another, presides over most of the discussion, and hilariously tries to ingratiate himself into the band in a creative capacity. He is clearly a chancer, despised by Ulrich in particular, and living on borrowed time. The scene, in which even Hetfield himself has had enough of this pseudo-guru, and tries to fire him, is perhaps the most uncomfortable in the whole film.

Coming off best are producer Bob Rock - clearly the voice of reason, and clearly the only person respected by all the band - who gently draws out of Metallica the record they want to make, and new bass player, Robert Trujillo, whose audition sparks the first genuine musical camaraderie in the whole documentary. His arrival seems the perfect denouement to the film as Hetfield and Ulrich's two-decade friendship is refreshed, and they begin to see new potential and meaning to playing in their band. Recommended.

After watching a movie you really start to hate Lars. This movie is all about him. He shares his spotlight in the movie with James Hetfield, but overshadows James all the time.

If you'll be watching this movie, pay close attention to Kirk. He looks like he doesn't have any say in the band at all. But it looks like it doesn't really bother Kirk a whole lot. He just wants to play music, make money and enjoy himself. Now I really understand why Jason Newsted left Metallica. The movie does have some good parts in it with Jason, but they all get overshadowed again by Lars.

You can tell that Lars always acts in front of camera. The rest of the guys do a good job of being natural on camera. Lars is doing a performance of a lifetime. You can really tell that he has a Napoleon Complex. Being short, that man is so insecure with himself that he constantly has to prove something to somebody and that leads to being not natural on camera.
(By the way, I am not pounding Lars because of Napster. I totally support Metallica's actions against Napster)

James Hetfield on the other hand is shown as a very composed guy. It's definitely a new side of James that viewers learn from the film. I got nothing but positive vibe from James throughout the entire film.

But anyway, watch the movie. You'll enjoy it. I really don't understand why this documentary was chosen as a Sundance Selection. Being a huge fan of Metallica, I didn't find this film to be extremely good. It has its great and funny moments, but overall I give it 3 STARS. I liked "Metallica: Year and a Half Part I & II" a lot more.

What this documentary revealed to me is that Lars Ulrich the band's drummer is a classic sociopath. Lars runs the show and you'd best not cross him. He has no empathy for James Hetfield's struggle with alcoholism and treatment. When Hetfield comes back with limited availability, he discovers that Lars has been working on things behind his back. Uncomfortable, he expresses to Lars that he would like them to review the tracks together. Very understandable. However, not for Lars. Lars proceeds to give Hetfield a speech accusing him of being selfish and controlling. Isn't that the Pot calling the Kettle black!

After 20 years together, doing everything there is to do, making millions upon millions, Lars just can't profit off the other members enough. And when they say or do something that is against his plan, Lars convinces them they are the problem.

So in another disgusting scene we get to watch Lars selling his paintings for millions. Not to mention trying to throw young fans in jail and fineing them for downloading his songs (a la Napster). It's clear that this man is a sociopath, exploiting all around him, in his quest for world domination.

Please also let me give insight into the REAL reason he kicked out Dave Mustane early in the band's career. After understanding Lars character and watching the scenes between him and Dave Mustane, it is clear he didn't kick him out of the band because of Dave's drinking problem. He kicked him out because Mustane posed a threat to Lar's control and power.

Lars M.O. thrives on exploiting, manipulating, and confusing other people. It is easy for him to do it to Hetfield, their producer, and Kirk Hammett, as is evidenced in the film. He can't do that with Mustane. While watching the exchange between Lars and Mustane, I noticed several things. One Mustane is very bright, stands up to Lars, and is clearly not confused or afraid of him. He quickly understands Lars game and calls him on it. He doesn't get intimidated and presents as a real leader. The only thing I was wishing he would have said to Lars is "Lars tell me the REAL reason you kicked me out".

In Lars mind 20 odd years ago, he must have posed a serious theat to his power within the band. His pathology dicates that he must control everyone in the band so he can exploit them to get them to do his bidding. He couldn't do that with Mustane. AND Mustane is a leader with a lot of Charisma. So what he does is make a big deal of Mustane's drinking problem and use it as an argument to get rid of him. The other members being not so bright are easily persuaded. And there he goes. Notice how Mustane kept telling Lars that he never "warned" him. Yes that's because Lars had to get rid of you quickly. It wasn't about having the most talented and charismatic members, it was about keeping the members that he could control and getting rid of the ones he couldn't.

I can't wait for the next Metallica film. I hear the title is going to be. Lars Ulrich as RICHARD III....

Overall this was a pretty good documentary about Metallica. Though they came off as whiney b****. I was a serious metallica fan before viewing this film. I respected their music. Now I got to know the real guys behind the band and see how they act when not on stage and their true selves. These guys fight, alot. They act immature, fight with eachother, act like a**es. Definetly have less respect for them now then before. There were some very funny parts in the film, interesting look at the band. It was excruciatingly long. Its a mixed bag. Some good , some bad , some funny parts. I was hoping to see more of Mustaine though. It shocked me that Mustaine was there spilling his guts about feeling inferior or not as good as Metallica. I admire Mustaines lyrics and musical talent and think he writes Lyrics 20 times more intelligent than Metallica. As far as music goes Metallica is better or equal to Megadeth. But I find them both great bands with diffrent things to love about them. Mustaine is very successful and I dont know why hes still pissed or upset about being kicked out of Metallica. He dosent even need them to be great. He can do that all on his own. The film covers alot- Taped during the making of st anger, Shows Lars and his napster issues. During that I was thinking what the hell does lars care about napster for they already have millions and millions of dollars and they cant let some of their fans get a song for free. Greedy. But I can understand them wanting to get paid for their work but come on. He might have taken it a little to far. Overall good documentary but very long. 3.5 stars.

I was never a Metallica fan, and yet I spent five nights watching the various bits of this DVD, completely fascinated by most of it. It's an incredibly personal look at the individual personalities within a band that most fans think of as idols and/or unreachable. Now, I feel as if I almost know them. The movie itself is revealing, and the extra bits enrich the experience exponentially. There's so much great extra stuff here, which is why it took me five nights watching all of it, then listening to the band or the filmmaker's commentary while re-watching the film.
Watching the movie with the band commentary is like watching an episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000". It's wry, but not particularly insightful to the film. What's most telling is their silence during the moments that must have been excruciatingly uncomfortable at the time, especially with a camera trained on their faces. Even better is the filmmaker's commentary. I'd even go so far as to say that the commentary is essential for anyone intrigued by the movie. It's fascinating to learn that the band made NO mandates regarding the final cut; Despite their reputation for controlling every nuance of their career, they granted the filmmakers full access and made no demand other than that they keep it honest and real. There are lots of cool stories that arise, too. For instance, you learn that after not playing for months, the band warmed up by playing Ramones tunes. Or, that the band gave the filmmakers free licensing in an earlier documentary, which is what led to this film being made in the first place.
In the process, over 1600 hours of footage were filmed. 1600! They whittled this down to two hours, which is what makes the extra footage so valuable. One scene shows the band reacting to the news of Dee Dee Ramone's death, just as they were trying to decide on a song that they were going to contribute to a Ramones tribute album. Another scene shows drummer Lars Ulrich revisiting his childhood home in Copenhagen, which is now a fertility clinic (!). Another features a fairly bizarre but entertaining recording session with Swizz Beatz and Ja Rule. Another scene shows the band performing for tailgaters at an Oakland Raiders playoff game. There are over forty extricated scenes available here, and there's a lot of fascinating stuff that didn't make final edit. Ultimately, the commentary tracks and additional scenes are just as intriguing as the movie itself, which is what makes this DVD so vital, especially to fans of the film.
If you saw "Some Kind of Monster" in the theater and liked it, then you will definitely want this DVD. If you didn't see the movie, don't let yourself be put off, thinking that it's a `heavy metal' movie. This is a riveting documentary that completely humanizes the band. Their portrayal is three-dimensional, and the extra footage only helps to make the experience more fascinating, while keeping every last bit real. I might have spent five nights of my life watching Metallica struggle, but I feel as though it was worth every minute. A- Tom Ryan

I haven't been a Metallica fan since the Black album came out. I didn't have the pleasure of being old enough to remember their great 80's legacy as the world's premier thrash metal quartet, and so I gradually lost interest in them when metallish grunge bands such as Alice in Chains and Soundgarden where making their mark. However, my own indifference toward the band allowed me to enjoy Some Kind of Monster on various levels. At the end of the film, I both understood, ridiculed, admired, laughed at, sympathized with and disliked the band all at once.

The comparisons to This Is Spinal Tap are not unwarranted. Watching the spats between the dynamic duo of James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich reminded me all too well of the tension between the fictional rockers David St. Hubbins and Nigel Tufnel in the 80's comedy classic. We see the materialistic James with his dozens of hotrods, choppers and trucks as well of pictures of him after he bagged a full grown grizzly bear after it had woken up fom hibernation(oooo, great hunter), as well as seeing him knock back drinks in both old live footage and in the studio. We see the pathetically complacent Kirk surfing and enjoying horseriding in the Northern Californian countryside and talking about how "hard" life is. And it wouldn't be Metallica if we didn't see the greedy lil' Danish bastard Lars hawking millions of dollars from his decidedly average artwork being auctioned. And yet these men are still tortured? Yes, you see, because they are really torturing themselves. The devastation caused by the rock n' roll lifestyle often leads to inward thinking, bad communication and a loss of touch in reality. These guys did not have time to grow and mature as young men during their heyday which is why they are stuck in a teenaged limbo. I can only hope I don't turn into a 30-40 something who still talks like a 13 year old pothead at a record store.

Other highlights include brief interviews with a very upset Jason Newstead decrying Hetfield's stranglehold over his artistic creativity as well as the band's decision to hire a therapist. I think he hit the nail on the head, as Phil Towle is a pretentious "guru to the stars" who isn't telling them anything they couldn't have discovered on their own. The part towards the end where the band is hinting at Phil that he might have worn out his welcome is also funny. Bob Rock, the mighty producer who himself was a therapist/regulator for the band now takes the couch to Phil's cheeseball "entity" speeces and also seems to straddle the fine line between the band's producer and the band's 4th-or 5th member. His frustration is subdued but notwithstanding. And there is also Dave Mustaine, the virtuoso guitarist and Megadeth frontman who was unfairly ousted from the band while on tour(he was ditched in New York city) in the early 80's. He has an intense meeting with Lars in which he expresses 20 years of pain and resentment of being second fiddle to the monster of Metallica. My favorite segment is probably the bassist audition which ends in the formidable Robert Trujillo of Suicidal Tendencies/Infectious Grooves being welcomed to the fold. Another reason I like this scene is it really capitalizes on the blatant arrogance and ignorance of Metallica towards their musical peers, namely Lars. Robert is one of the most proficient bassists around, and hearing Lars express concern that he's giving off an "unwelcoming" vibe simply because he is practicing his chops prior to jamming with the band is a fat joke. Rock and metal fans will recognize other auditions of bassists such as Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity, Scott Reeder of Kyuss and Danny Lohner of Nine Inch Nails and having the band talk to these seasoned veterans as if they where ignorant garage band rookies is both priceless and disconcerting.

If you've ever wondered what Spinal Tap would be like if they where real and you want an insight into the stresses of the heavy metal and rock world than I recommend you check out Some Kind of Monster.

I was blown away with how goodthis movie was in the theater. In fact, I remember saying to myself, "I am definitely getting this when it comes out on dvd!" Well, it's even BETTER the second time around and, to top it off, there are alot of amazing extras on this 2-disc extravaganza. Like alot of Metallica fans, I was stoked when I saw the band on MTV "Icons", excited about the reports that the new cd was going to be a return to the pre-Load days, then mystified by the new cd itself, "St. Anger": too punk rock, no guitar solos, too angry, not enough variety, etc. (that said, the bonus dvd included with the cd is way better, but I digress).

Well, when you put the bonus rehearsal dvd together with this fantastic movie, "St. Anger" the cd MAKES SENSE and is alot better than my initial impresions (THAT being said, here's hoping they return to diversity with their latest cd, due out in 2005-2006 lol). Raw, exposed, vulnerable, funny, tragic, emotional, sad, reflective...you will feels all these emotions and more---with the band members themselves---when you see this great documentary (along with "Fahrenheit 911", this is the best documentary I have seen in a theater). It is so HONEST; you really feel like a fly on the wall when viewing major parts of this film. There is a touching moment---extended on dvd---with former member Dave Mustaine, great clips with Cliff Burton, and a 'statement' by Jason Newsted. The 2-dvd set is just loaded with great stuff for the fan. Highly recommended. Buy it asap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most documentaries on musicians rarely rise above the level of an episode of VH1's Behind-the-Music. They are either self-congratulatory puff pieces or tabloid fodder that dwells mostly on salacious aspects. Granted, the recent documentary, Dig is one of the rare exceptions. Residing somewhere in the middle is Metallica: Some Kind of Monster. This documentary chronicles the band's rocky road of making and releasing the album St. Anger. For a band that had a reputation of controlling every aspect of their careers (including the notorious battle against Napster), it was somewhat of a surprise that they would allow two documentary filmmakers, Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, to show them warts and all.

The first disc features two audio commentaries. The members of Metallica are on the first one and fall into the trap of watching the movie as opposed to commentating on it. Things pick on the second commentary track with the filmmakers, Berlinger and Sinofsky. The filmmakers recount many stories behind the doc and provide a good inside look at how it was put together, including their own internal strife that mirrored the one between James and Lars. As the filming went on Berlinger and Sinofsky closely identified with their subjects and what they were going through.

The second disc features 28 additional scenes with some of them including optional commentary by Berlinger and Sinofsky. There is also a lot more footage of the band working on St. Anger as well as a good bit where Lars finally tells off Dr. Phil and Kirk goes to traffic school.

"Festivals and Premieres" features footage of the filmmakers and the band participating at Q&A sessions for various film festivals, including Sundance. It is interesting to see the band clearly enjoying this new venue and how they view the film after some time as passed.

"This Monster Lives" is 13 additional scenes, including an alternate version of the meeting between Lars and Dave Mustaine.

Also included is a music video with footage from the documentary.

Finally, there are filmographies for the filmmakers.

Bottom line - some things should not be made public. At the same time, watching these guys under a microscope was both enlightening and disturbing. These guys made recording a heavy metal record look and feel like sheer drudgery!!!! They seemed to hate each other for the most part. About 10 minutes into the flick I was left wondering why they even bothered to do it??? Was their management twisting their arms to do this record??? But now as I listen to the CD, I can clearly hear them expressing their love/hate relationship to each other (i.e. "I'm madly in anger with you"). Some Kind of Monster is appropriately named for this DVD because that is exactly what these guys are feeding. Let's face it, they have enough money to survive on for the rest of their lives. They can afford a $40k a month therapist for God's sake!! What is the motivation to work together to create another metal masterpiece?? There is none! And it comes across clearly in the film. But they feel the need to keep feeding the beast because everyone else is expecting it from them. The bonus feature showing management discussing the future of Metallica after James' heads to rehab is very telling. They are "Some Kind of Monster". "We the people" are "Some Kind of Monster". Lars, James and Kirk still feel the need to feed it despite the fact that they clearly don't love it anymore. Robert Trujillo must be wondering what the hell he got himself into.