Review of American Hardcore (2006) by Michael A — 16 Aug 2009

It's interesting to see the rise and fall of hard punk rock in North America during an era when Disco and contemporary took over the mainstream. But this rockumentry lacks direction. At times the progression of story telling takes a chronological approach then at other time geographical and than back to the former. I know a lot of these bands and their general history and influences and still found it hard to follow. I also found that half the film was about Black Flag and Bad Brains and I do entirely agree with their importance to the underground scene that was barely a mention of other influential bands like The Misfits and Scream, in my honest opinion. I also thought leaving the narrative to the interviewee's made the whole experience seem unintelligent and amateur.

In summary I think that it was an important untold and undocumented story in the history of rock and roll and this film was a step in the right direction or maybe to fit the metaphor better: more of a stumble in the right direction.

Oh and for the record anyone who says that Punk, Hardcore... Grunge or what have you is dead isn't dedicated to looking hard enough.