Review of Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008) by Mike M — 22 Oct 2009

Often promoted as a real-life 'This is Spinal Tap', Anvil: The Story of Anvil documents the struggles of an aging, Canadian heavy metal band. Interviews with famous metal musicians such as Slash, Lars Ulrich and Scott Ian reveal that Anvil was very influential in the early rise of the 80's metal scene.

The band never reached the heights of popularity achieved by those that followed them and wallowed in obscurity for 20+ years, releasing over-looked and quickly forgotten albums (interestingly, of the 19 albums listed on their discography, all but 2 have three word titles).

Now in their 50's, the band attempts one last grasp at the brass ring, sinking themselves and those around them deep into dept to finance a 13th studio album 'This is Thirteen'. The film follows Anvil on a less-than-impressive tour full of missed trains, double-crossing club owners and audiences numbering in the teens.

As far as comparisons to 'Spinal Tap', I feel they are unwarranted. The only similarities I saw were the aging rockers, refusing to 'grow up' and get 'real jobs' and give up their dreams.

There's definitely a very juvenile slant to these gentlemen, both in their writing styles (oft-strained double entendres and suburban Satanic symbolism) and in their relationships with each other and with the 'business' part of 'show business'.

However, the film is NOT a comedy. It is more of an inspirational portrait of two men who have never, and probably will never, stop rocking.