By Andrew Hawnt
You know something? I love metal. Metal is a wonderful, life affirming force that brings its fans strength, solace and energy. It is primal, raw and unrelenting, and as you may have noticed, it is a genre that keeps on evolving. As a music journalist for a national magazine, and a pop culture columnist for a selection of leading websites, I get to hear a hell of a lot of music by bands old and new, as well as the odd DVD or documentary.
None of them are like Anvil! – The Story of Anvil.
This is a metal documentary that has taken audiences by storm, and it has done that without a massive marketing campaign. It has gained its popularity through word of mouth and through being simply a wonderful experience of a film.
Even if you are not a fan of the rock and metal genres, there is a huge amount to enjoy with this film. It is funny, heartwarming and uplifting just as much as it is heartbreaking, poignant and gripping.
Where most music documentaries follow a multi-million selling act, this follows the highs, lows and further lows of a band once mooted for greatness. After struggling for decades to keep the name alive while watching their contemporaries go on to become megastars, it seems that Anvil have found that greatness with this film.
You are rooting for Lips and Robb throughout the whole film. You want them to succeed. You want them to get to that next level again. You see them for what they are: Friends who may just as well be brothers, soldiering on the path they promised they would follow as teenagers.
It doesn’t come across as a bunch of guys trying to relive past glories- more that they just want to achieve more than they have been able to thus far.
Their determination is incredible, their passion for what they do is utterly compelling, and the film that Sacha Gervasi has created around a turbulent period ion the band’s life is nothing short of remarkable. An open, honest account of people that have so much more determination than many of us will ever muster. Brilliant in every possible respect.
Andrew is a renowned pop culture columnist for the STARSTORE blogs and music and movie merchandise site as well as being a globally published music journalist and SF writer. For rock music collectibles, posters and more, visit the STARSTORE site today!
