Film Review: Some Kind of Monster

The people in films are actors; they are paid to be different – fictional – not real. So you would think it wouldn’t be too hard to play yourself. The people in this film are real; they are playing themselves, that is because it is a Documentary Film (Docu-Film), a documentary about a group of people in a band and their relationship with one another as they go through the roughest time in the band’s history. They are better known as METALLICA.

METALLICA have hired (this is 2003) a psychiatrist to help them work out their issues, they have also hired a film crew to film them as they not only work out their issues but also as they write and record the album ST ANGER. The issues that brought them up to this point were the controversial lawsuit against Music Download Website Napster which included METALLICA giving lawyers the names of people who downloaded the music illegally (these were people who were fans of METALLICA) and the recent departure (2003) of METALLICA’s bassist Jason Newsted. The band at this point have changed a lot since they started 20 years ago (2003). They are now much older and now have Families and Responsibilities.

The film starts with METALLICA starting work on their new album and move to a new recording studio. The first major problem the band gets is when their lead vocalist, Guitarist and Frontman James Hetfield leaves for Rehab to sort out his issues with Alcoholism. For a while the other band members (now down to just 2) wonder what might happen in the future. After almost a year James Hetfield returns to the band, this is where things start to boil. More of the story in a Minute.

You do get a good look into the bands personal life and hobbies like Lars Ulrich’s art and Kirk Hammett’s surfing. There is also interviews with former band members and a tribute to one of the bands former members, Cliff Burton – METALLICA’s bassist who sadly died in the late 1980’s.

Back to the film, With Hetfield still in rehab but now OK to work he has strict working hours starting at 12pm (lunch time) and 4pm. At first things go OK but very quickly things begin to heat up between James Hetfield and Drummer Lars Ulrich. Even though Hetfield is the bands front man, Ulrich is the bands CEO, he founded the band with Hetfield but it was Ulrich’s idea, he doesn’t like Hetfield’s new work time with Hetfield saying when they can and can’t work. They then begin to fall out and not enjoy each other’s company, after a while they stop falling out and patch things up. The film then goes to one of the best bits when METALLICA are asked to do an advertisement for a radio show.

The film contains a lot of behind the scenes sections showing how the music is written and recorded. These include pieces with the bands producer at the time Bob Rock.

At the point of where Ulrich and Hetfield have stopped arguing the members of METALLICA are no longer just Band Members but Best Friends, they are still struggling at this point but they have now got over their personal issues. At this point they are told they are going to be featured on MTV ICON – a show which celebrates ICON’s of Rock. They decide to hire a new Bass player for the band. This is one of the most interesting parts of the film as they audition several people but focus on the person who was asked to join the band, Robert Trujillo. METALLICA set out to make Trujillo a real member of the band and not just a hired help.

Even though they are now best friends Ulrich and Hetfield have issues over what the Album should be called with James wanting it to be called ST ANGER and Lars wanting the name Frantic. ST ANGER gets chosen when Lars was convinced that Frantic made it sound like there was a lack of focus in the band. The film then finishes on a good note with Metallica going on Tour. The credits then roll as they start their first show.

Some Kind of Monster is in my opinion the best Docu-Film I have seen. It is just so interesting. Playing themselves is easy and gives an insight into the band. The most interesting person being the quietest in the band (but not he quietest when on stage). Throughout the film he doesn’t speak as much as the others, The Bands lead guitarist and backing vocals Kirk Hammett. While Ulrich and Hetfield argue and complain and shout, Hammett is on the outside trying to not get involved. It would be interesting to see what he thinks of what was happening but because he didn’t argue with the other 2 it makes him stand out.

It’s kind of hard to say anything about it other than saying how interesting it is and how good it is. To really understand this film you need to see it. If you like Music, METALLICA, you would probably like Some Kind of Monster. It’s not for everyone; it all depends on what you like.

I Like METALLICA

GENEPOOL