6/10
Unsatisfied
3 December 2011
The Mats are a band very worthy of a documentary. They were a truly great 80's band. A very important band that really broke a few barriers and defied being pigeonholed very easily. This film isn't bad in telling the bands story thru the eyes of the fans and contemporaries. I have to say that a lot of what was said was by people who are HUGE fans already just basically repeating the same stuff over and over again. There are many artists one can find, that have meant a lot to people at a certain time and place and make a similar documentary. Also, many of these have already been made. I have to say that attempting to make a documentary about a band with out the music is basically a very difficult task. You really want that music there to compliment the constant barrage of talking heads. The director states that he wanted to make a ground breaking doc. and break away from the mold and make a doc. with no band and no music in the film. However like I already said, this very similar film has been made many times about other important and great bands, the only difference being is that the others actually HAD music and are way more fun to watch. In no way do I buy that this was somehow unique or different. The concept of fans and contemporaries telling a story about a band is not very groundbreaking. In the end I feel only people who are already huge Replacements fans will truly appreciate this film. It may interest some others but it will be a much harder sell. I am still very glad this film was made. That whole era in American music deserves many more documentaries and this one is an important addition.
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