It goes without saying that Metallica freaks will freak out at this thrashing thriller of a concert film that features the band doing its greatest hits in 3D and IMAX. If youre looking for an orgasmic trip to heavy-metal heaven, this is it.
But what if you dont know squat about drummer Lars Ulrich, singer James Hetfield, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo? You could rent the 2004 documentary Some Kind of Monster, which is the equivalent of joining the band in group therapy. Metallica: Through the Never, shot with multiple cameras on staggering stage sets by Hungarian scaremeister Nimrd Antal (Kontroll, Predators) over five wild nights in Vancouver and Edmonton during last years World Magnetic Tour, speaks for itself.
Or does it? The films been kicking up controversy concerning the presence of actor Dane DeHaan, whos his own kind of magnetic in films such as Chronicle, The Place Beyond the Pines and Kill Your Darlings. DeHaan plays Trip, a roadie sent to collect a mysterious bag while the concert rocks on. On the way, he enters a surreal night world of zombie unrest, exploding cop cars, a masked horseman and a narrative thread that unravels as you watch it. Distracting? Sure. Its also a blast of sweet crazy that leaves your head spinning. With Metallica, would you want it any other way?