Some Kind Of Good Movie

Usually, when you have a documentary about a musical group, they fall into two categories: the concert movie (like The Last Waltz or Woodstock) or the life of the band (like This Is Spinal Tap). Some Kind Of Monster, a documentary on Metallica, falls into the second category. Actually, it's kinda scary how similar this movie is to This Is Spinal Tap. It's almost as though Metallica has co-opted Spinal Tap's comedically tragic life as their own. (Fans of the movie will remember that Spinal Tap also released a Black Album.)

The film is very much in the style of the Behind The Music TV show. But, unlike that show, it doesn't focus on all the adversity the band has had to face to become the smash hit they are today. Randy Rhodes doesn't die; Nikki Sixx doesn't O.D.; Steve Perry isn't kicked out of the band. Monster (and here we go back to the Spinal Tap thing once again) is basically just two years in the life of Metallica. Without resorting to melodramatic elements (although James does go to rehab, and Jason quits the band), it tells the story of how one of the best bands in the world puts together St. Anger. How does a band that's been together for 20 years, and has no members that are on good terms, get motivated to go into the studio and put together a groundbreaking record that actually allows all of the members to contribute (James and Lars have always been the masterminds) and marks a return to their earlier sound? Simple: Get a therapist.

Yes, Metallica is so fucked up that they actually bring in a group therapist to hash out 20 plus years of differences. The therapy sessions are the best part of the movie, because of all of the years of pent-up frustration coming out in the open. It makes James and Lars look like two of the biggest egomaniacs of all time. It also contains one of the best parts of the movie: A cameo appearance by former Metallica member Dave Mustaine. Here's a man that, 22 years after being kicked out of the band, is still haunted by the fact that he was once in what became one of the most successful bands ever.

The other relevatory part of the movie is the production of the record. In the past, everyone came to the studio, James and Lars bringing the songs with them, and telling everyone else what to play. This time out, they come to the studio with nothing. They get in there and just jam for hours, and everyone contributes. It's kinda cool that these guys getting together and jamming is eventually morphed into St. Anger (an album I didn't really care for, but it's a neat process).

There is one thought that never occurred to me before seeing this movie: I feel bad for Kirk Hammett. Here's a guy who knows he's in the best rock band in the world, and probably thanks Jesus every day for getting the chance to be in the band. He's a great guitarist, and he just wants to make a fucking rock record. But it's hard to get anything done when your bandmates are two warring rock divas, constantly at each others' throats. He's the most normal guy in the band (even though he collects all kinds of weird shit, but he's a fellow movie poster collector, so I'll let that pass), and it's rather heartbreaking that this guy can't do what he loves until the two knuckleheads he works with get right with each other. Ahh, the Life of a Rock Star.

A great movie. Who knew that watching taped therapy sessions would be so fascinating?