Review of Metallica: Through the Never (2013) by Matthew P — 11 Mar 2015

As a Metallica concert film, this isn't bad. The band has really gone through some effort to return to it's roots, and the show is about 85% material from their first three albums ... and they do pretty good versions of these songs.

All things considered, I'd rather just be listening to the albums, but this is an entertaining if not very exciting show. The really elaborate, gimmicky stage show they have rigged up is mildly engaging, but I get the sense that it would be more impressive in person than it is on film.

Where this film really crashes and burns is on the entirely unnecessary and pointless plot line that is interspersed with the live footage. Dane DeHaan plays a roadie who is sent out during the show to receive some package the band really needs.

He encounters rioting, destruction, fire, demonic horseman ... and it's all totally dull and pointless. At the very end of the show, some destruction that's loosely connected to the fictional plot line causes the band to abandon their intricate stage show and to play a last song just huddled together as a group on a normal stage.

James Hetfield says this reminds him of their garage and "Kill 'em All", and they play "Hit the Lights". Yeah, guys ... exactly. Throughout this movie you come off as a cross between Alive-era Kiss and Led Zeppelin from "The Song Remains the Same".

I don't dislike either of these bands, but the suit doesn't really fit Metallica very well.