Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004) User Reviews

Totally interesting!

[Jimmycat · 8/10 · 26 February 2005]

I really enjoyed this film. I'm a mild Metallica fan (I went to one of their concerts but never bought any albums), and this movie definitely caused me to become a lot more of a fan. It was totally fascinating in its depiction of the creative process, when it works and when it doesn't. It was so awesome to see these famous people depicted as normal human beings. I never would have guessed that Hetfield and Ulrich had such issues. They're both control freaks and they should just realize that and figure out a way to work together without butting heads. (Although by the end, they did kind of figure out a way.) Seeing the way they fought, I was surprised that the band has been together so long. Probably there were tensions building for a long time, which finally came out before the movie started because of some unnamed reason - maybe they were finally starting to grow up and realize that Metallica might not be the be-all and end-all for the last half of their lives.

Amazing to see how it was all breaking down, before Hetfield went into rehab. They've been such a successful band that I would have thought their creative process was locked-in and running smoothly. But they're just humans, like all of us. I thought their humility in letting this psychological stuff be shown in the movie made them seem like even better people. Yeah, I know Hetfield's and Ulrich's egos are big as houses, but they let the filmmakers show them at their worst, and that takes guts.

Commentors keep saying Kirk Hammett was shown to be a wimp in this movie. Quit being so f***ing macho! I thought he was totally cool. Not everyone is a control freak like Hetfield and Ulrich, and in comparison Hammett looked mild-mannered and agreeable. What's wrong with that? The band is lucky he wasn't another huge ego like the other 2 - THAT would have made things really difficult! Plus Hammett's a total babe.

Another commenter said that he/she would have liked to see them talk more about why they loved heavy metal, and I would have, too. I don't think they're self-aware enough for that though. They did get more self-aware about their feelings about *each other* during the course of the movie, but they didn't talk much about the creative process. The creativity the movie did show was fascinating. Heavy metal seems to be, at least for Metallica, an expression of deep psychological wounding, and for them to open up all those wounds (they definitely didn't heal everything in the therapy they got) and heal them might have been detrimental to their creative process, in the end. What would they have to rage about, if it all got cleaned up? Some others writing here have cynically suggested that the band was just trying to create another popular, lucrative product, but I don't agree. I saw them struggle mightily to create music that was gripping, intense, and an expression of their feelings. I see that as their passion.

some kind of therapy

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 13 September 2015]

It's 2001. Metallica is making a new album and rents out space in the Presidio. Bassist Jason Newsted had left the band in frustration and starts his own band. The group is in therapy to work out their dysfunctional relationship. They continue to fight as front man James Hetfield leaves to enter rehab. Former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine explains the effects of his ejection from the group to Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett even with his subsequent success with Megadeth. After a year, James finally returns with new focus on sobriety and less time on the music. They slowly try to rebuild the band with new bassist Robert Trujillo.

This is a brave documentary from Metallica. They're showing many of the ugly struggles behind the scenes. It is personal and messy. The most compelling scene is Dave Mustaine's breakdown reunion. James and Lars' complicated work marriage with each other fills most of the rest of the movie. It's not necessarily a fun watch but it is interesting. It's probably much more compelling for Metallica fans but it's also a human story for everybody else.

Metallica is hilariously ridiculous, the film is good though

[hanselmerchor · 6/10 · 5 October 2004]

First of all I used to be a big Metallica fan, that is until they started making really, I mean REALLY bad music. This film follows Metallica through a period in time when they had already became what they used to be against, I mean making crappy music and all, and fighting all their inner demons, entities which I must add provided fuel to most of the great music that put them on the map early on their career. The deal is this, bassist Jason Newsted notices that Metallica is day by day closer getting to a bad imitation of Spinal Tap so he bails, after all why would he stay in a band he does not like, and even worse a band where restrains are placed all around. Anyway, he bails, singer James Hetfield says he is now after a zillion years of drinking suddenly become an alcoholic goes to rehab and Metallica is on the brink of a break up, I mean why not after all they had put out a couple of godawful albums (Load and the smartly titled ReLoad), so the only option they see is to hire a guy and pay him a buckload of money so that he can make them feel special and take a look at what they are really worth. The documentary is good, throughout the film we see how these guys are filthy rich, and well guitar player Hammett is sort of the puppet of the band having no say whatsoever in the band and also sporting some really crappy hairplugs. The two leaders Hetfield and Ulrich just get on each other's nerves and at some point during the film you are even praying for them to just come to blows and end it all, unfortunately Metallica succeeds, and they make that crapperpiece that is now calles St Anger, during the making of this album we hear them arguing about lyrics, and Hetfield, says :"some kind of monster, that monster lives yyeeeeeaaahh""" the other members are just in awe at how incredibly brilliant and prolific this guy is, I mean i just wanted to laugh out loud, let's just say that Bob Dylan this guy is not, but the theater was so full of Metallica fans I was a bit afraid one might beat me up. In the end, metallica makes an album that gets trashed by the critics, hired Rob Trujillo to fill the bassist slot, and well, I guess the fans are to thank their idols because once again this once mighty band has managed to fool the world, I guess it is all a matter of taste, all I gotta say is that if you look at these guys objectively you will see a lot more than you expected in this film, the movie is good, but Metallica is just an average band.

Great documentary - but it hurts

[Jeddia · 10/10 · 6 April 2005]

This is probably the first documentary about Metallica that didn't make you feel good. All of the older documentaries show a band that was personable and fun-loving, rocking like no one else can. They showed us the Metallica we were proud to call ourselves fans of. But with Some Kind of Monster , we see a band full of weather-beaten rock stars, burned out (an understatement), tired, desperate, and aggravated. It broke my heart to watch this, but it was a damn fine documentary.

Frankly, I'm glad this was released. Because the average semi-informed fan of Metallica (like myself), has only seen the headlines over the past ten years - which served to make the band look like they were becoming complete pricks. I love Metallica. But the wall of negative stuff that was thrown at us in the past decade has tainted our view of the band. This documentary straightens some of it out. While I don't believe that was the goal of the film, it is a fortunate side-effect.

I know the Metallica of the 80's is gone - beer flying, 9-minute epic metal songs, and the long hair - but hopefully, our favorite rockers still have the fire within to bring us a few more great albums. Metallica showed the world that heavy metal (and I mean *heavy*) didn't have to use gimmicks and make-up to be mainstream. All it needed was the right attitude and talented musicians to play it. I've seen them live nearly 20 times. Nobody can do it like Metallica. Nobody.

Definitely a must see for anyone with only a casual interest in Rock music

[Superunknovvn · 9/10 · 23 March 2005]

I don't know how they do it, but although Metallica lost me as a fan many years ago (sometime in the mid 90's), they still manage to release DVDs that are totally intriguing. "Cunning Stunts" was an intense concert movie that let you feel the energy of a Metallica gig, where even songs from "Load" and "ReLoad" sounded good. Now, "Some Kind Of Monster" is something even more special. Really special. As far as rock films go, this one is right up there with "The Kids Are Alright" and "The Last Waltz".

Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky are always there in time to catch the most important facial expressions, quotes and actions. The movie almost runs too perfectly, as if the whole thing had been scripted. The emotions of the band members and those around them seem so genuine, though, that it's hard to have any doubts about the movie's authenticity. It must have been a terrible stressing for the band - especially in a situation like this - to have cameras around them all the time. Throughout the whole movie you feel like you're in the room with one of the biggest rock bands on the planet and the cool thing is, that you really get a look behind the image, behind that Rock 'N' Roll dream. What you find are three guys that are just as unsure about themselves, their friendship and their career as everybody else is. Hetfield, Hammett and Ulrich try to be honest throughout the whole documentary and everybody comes across as a more or less normal person (Ulrich and his ego are more than just a bit annoying, though, and it's sad to see that the band still doesn't seem to have the tiniest bit of respect for their former bandmate Jason Newstedt, who had to put up with a lot of crap for almost 15 years). A whiny appearance by former band member/Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine sticks out as the most moving/funniest moment. It really must suck to feel like he does, regretting everyday that you've been kicked out of one of the biggest bands on earth. Respect for such an honest statement in front of the cameras, though.

"Some Kind Of Monster" entertains for more than 120 minutes (and there's more on the DVD) without ever getting boring. The weird thing about this documentary is, that it's never about the music, but more about the process of a band recording itself. Whoever said that this one is a must see for Metallica fans, documentary fans and anyone in between got it right. It's more than your usual VH1 special. This one REALLY takes a look "behind the music" and a very exciting one at that.

Great documentary about humorless band

[b23ee · 14 April 2004]

I am a huge fan of early Metallica. They lost me, though, on the Metallica album (the black album, the first sign that they were turning into Spinal Tap). While this documentary is great film, I have to say that it just makes clear that Lars and James are utterly devoid of humor when it comes to themselves. At the film festival screening the theatre was filled with laughter as they revealed themselves to be petulant children who have a long way to go to reach maturity. Poor Kirk and the new guy, Rob Trujillo. There were only two times when Lars spoke really honestly in a way that didn't seem manipulative, and James never gave up anything real except when he was with his kids. The $40,000 a month counselor (he is not a trained psychiatrist or psychologist) was right out of Spinal Tap. FYI- the biggest cheers erupted after every Jason Newsted interview because he is just straight up, real, and honest. I wish him a lot of success because he seems to truly be all about playing music. Believe me, I applaud Metallica for being willing to let people see this truly great film, but as for Lars and James, lighten up for crying out loud. Therapy isn't only about expressing your feelings and expecting everyone to pat you on the back, it's also about learning to admit when you're wrong or being a jerk and laughing at yourself.

Metal therapy

[paul2001sw-1 · 6/10 · 24 January 2009]

The definitive account of a heavy metal band in full self-destruct mode is, of course, 'This is Spinal Tap', a spoof that feels as true as it does absurd. And the prospect of a documentary about a crisis in real-life band Metallica brings hopes of something similar. But the truth revealed by this long documentary is as dull as it is surprising: that the band, far from being ageing wild men, are middle-aged businessmen deep into a culture of therapy; As someone who is not a fan of the music, it's interesting to see how singer James Hefield is clearly a man of considerable vocal talents, and not just a wild screamer; but when he tells you he drives a roadster to indicate that he's a rebel, he could be any forty-something desperate to convince himself of this fact. In the middle of the film, he checks into rehab to help recover from alcoholism, which is potentially a powerful story. But on camera, we never see him drink a drop, and only get to witness the endless, self-absorbed discussions and ego-trading with his fellow band members that seem indicative of a group that lacks the urgency, need or desire to actually achieve anything beyond bickering about their places in the group's internal pecking order. The film's only value comes in exposing this; for if this is truly rock and roll, then rock and roll is dead.

Honest portrayal of a band on the edge

[marobertson · 10/10 · 16 February 2004]

I saw this film at the True/False Film Festival in Columbia, Missouri, and was fortunate enough to hear some Q&A from the director after.

The two words that best describe Some Kind of Monster are "brutally honest." This is a no-holds-barred look at a band that has played together for two decades and is on the verge of disintegration from internal conflict, external pressures and creative stagnation. We see the members of Metallica not as icons, but as flawed individuals in a close, but often tumultuous relationship that has lasted longer than many marriages. At a fundamental level the seem to love each other, but as with many long-term relationships, they sometimes reach the point that they cannot stand the sight of one another.

Can they survive? Well, the mystery is obviously abated by knowing how the story ends (the production of the album St. Anger and the subsequent tour); but it in no way detracts from this interesting examination of the process of separation and reconciliation.

Central to the story is not only tension the band members experience in once again trying to bottle the lightning of musical success, but the fundamental changes taking place in James Hetfield's life as he enters rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. While Hetfield's personal battle takes place off-screen, we see the powerful impact it is having on the rest of the group.

Some truly standout moments include the interaction between Lars Ulrich and his father Torben (an amusing and brutally honest character); the long-delayed meeting between Lars and Dave Mustaine (who was kicked out of the band in the early 80s and went on to found Megadeath); a long band meeting which consists mainly of screaming obscenities; the band's search for a new bassist; and the almost surreal scene of Hetfield attending his daughter's ballet recital.

If you wish to see the members of Metallica as icons, then Some Kind of Monster is probably not for you; however, if you would like an up-close view of them as very real human beings, then I highly recommend this film. Love them or hate them, you will bring something away from Some Kind of Monster.

Filmmakers deserve credit, despite the subject matter

[Mr-Fusion · 6/10 · 31 August 2018]

My Metallica days are far behind me - and going even further, I really only liked their '90s sell-out period. I felt the need to offer that as a preface, so take this review however you wish.

The best scenes in "Some Kind of Monster" happen in the studio, where the band is actually working. The problem inherent in this documentary is that it profiles the band while they're in therapy, and those scenes are the absolute worst. I wanted to slap both James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich for coming off as selfish children, and it happened constantly. Hey, I'm glad that Hetfield got the help that he needed and the band is still around; that's great. But these two and their inarticulate whining come very close to sinking the whole thing.

The film kicks up when they actually start looking for a bass player to replace Jason Newsted, and in Robert Trujillo they find a four-string beast and a ray of hope for the future. Despite my displeasure with the talking scenes, the people behind this documentary did an impressive job maintaining my interest and keeping things watchable. With these characters, I think that says a lot.

The Monster lives

[ikremnietvoorfrankdeboer · 9/10 · 1 September 2004]

First of all, let me say I'm a Metallica fan so this review is unevitably biased. But then again, what review isn't? We all know Metallica are great business men, so the first question that arises is: is this movie a marketing tool? Even though I'm sure the movie will be a commercial success, my answer to the question is no.

Metallica's record company wanted the movie to accompany Metallica's 2003 release St. Anger as a weekly series of 30 minute reality TV to get the word out about the album. Metallica not only rejected that idea, but even decided to buy out the record company and release this a year later as a movie instead. We can only thank them for it.

This movie is certainly not a commercial for Metallica. We get to see the ugly side of Metallica. And it's ugly alright. We see Lars calling James a dick, shouting 'fuck' right in his face and getting drunk while selling his millions of dollars art collection. We see James yelling at Lars, slamming the door, checking in for rehab and after that demanding everyone to only work from 12 to 4. We see Kirk being a sissy the entire movie.

The title of the movie refers to James; he explains how Metallica has been a beast to him over the years. But Metallica has undoubtedly been a beast to others as well. Dave Mustaine is one of the most successful musicians in heavy metal with his band Megadeth, but apparently is still haunted by him being fired from Metallica. Nevertheless, the movie is ultimately about James' 'coming of age', changing from an angry alcoholic to a man who has managed to balance his personal life with the life in Metallica.

I have one beef with the movie. Around the end Lars says Metallica have proved that it's possible to make an angry record through positive energy. While I believe him when he says that, I do have to say I hardly saw any of that energy in the movie. In fact, it's a small miracle they managed to finish the album at all.

Even though not everyone is a fan of Metallica, I can recommend everyone to see this movie. See, this movie is not about the music. It's about people. People who struggle with themselves, with each other and with the outside world. It's also a unique look inside the workings (and non-workings) of a world class band and into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. This documentary is a landmark that upstages the album which creation it was originally supposed to document.

Well, I don't know...

[rapunzel2525 · 7/10 · 28 February 2005]

I saw the film on VCR TWICE. I read many users' comments. And I still do not know what to think of what I saw.

It was a good documentary, well made, captivating at times. But was this a genuine depiction of the band's life? No way! I cannot accept the fact that the members are talking in this irritatingly mild voice, have these expressionless faces while they are spitting insults to one another. And their vocabulary, god, like they have some psychology degree! "Truth is the safest lie" tells a Jewish quote and I can only imagine that this "truthful" documentary was a well rehearsed farce." Wearing your heart on your sleeve" is the latest trend, it brings dollars too! I do not say that all that was depicted was false, no. I cannot doubt James Hetfield's issue with alcoholism or his sense of personal loss. I do not doubt that there are frictions in the band. I just doubt the sincerity of this whole project: the way these frictions were depicted and the reason behind. In my opinion it was just a lengthy promotional video for their "St. Anger" album, working undercover, you understand...

Hetfield and Ulrich were getting on my nerves through their incessant pretentious blah blah. They were not sincere even in their egocentricity. I got the impression they were actually trying to make themselves interesting throughout the whole film. You know, the vendettas - only the film was in color, not black and white. Which Kirk Hammett didn't. Credit must go to him because he was the only authentic presence in the whole film. And I mean it. He is not ego-less either: In an instance, I don't remember exactly, Ulrich says something to Hetfield (or vice versa) about him fearing not being part of the creative process, where Hammett all of a sudden makes the statement "That's how I felt the last 15 years". With bitterness. But no one seemed to notice...I think he is really the one who holds the band together.

I was not disillusioned, for one thing. I used to be also an early Metallica fan, and stopped listening to them after the "Black Album", after their music showed visible signs of decay. Decay usually comes from having too much (money? existential problems?). This is reality and it cannot be deleted. They cannot be angry, penniless teenagers again. But maybe if they tried to grow old with dignity...

Highlight of the documentary: The archive footage with Cliff Burton. It was the most painful scene for me to watch.

Profoundly moving

[Jayfranklin99 · 10/10 · 16 October 2004]

Unable to speak from a non-fan's viewpoint, I want to say how moving and inspiring I found this film to be.

With almost too many highlights to mention, the crew skip from one uncomfortable situation to another on a gradual path to equilibrium. The claims of unintentional laughability are ridiculous, I read a couple of review that compared this to Spinal Tap, which I found very annoying. Anyone who laughs at this film is doing so because that's the way that some people deal with being uncomfortable. It is a funny film but only when it's intentional. A very skillfull piece of comic direction comes to mind, Hetfield talking about his crazily painted car, interspersed with clips of him driving along at a million miles an hour, "I like speed", he says and then in the next cut we see him pulled over by a policeman. One of a few comic highlights.

The documentary follows Hetfield's trip into rehab, the preceding argument with Ulrich contains one of two Ulrich highlights, "you're just acting like a dick today". Hetfield's re-emergence from re-hab is when the film really gets into gear. He becomes almost like a rock star version of Jesus, totally unaffected when confronted with a stream of abuse from Ulrich, "when I went running today, I thought about seeing you and just thought "fuck"", he sits there motionless. He talks about his emotions and goes to his daughter's ballet recital. The band seems fractured at this point but then along comes, in my opinion, the highlight of the film. Asked to record a soundbite for some radio stations they find themselves unable to do it because it is so tacky and they begin to joke around, "Enter now and we'll shove $50,000 dollars up your ass," Ulrich jokes, "One bill at a time," Hetfield retorts. In this scene, we once again feel the combined unit of Metallica against the world like the way it used to be and this is the turning point of the movie. Along the way we meet a number of interested characters, Ulrich's father with his snowy white beard for one. And we meet Dave Mustaine, who is not exactly the epitome of rock 'n roll either. The film spirals towards a denouement in a packed arena, what the band has been waiting for, the band arriving, a new unit, embracing each other like brother, waiting to go onstage, The Ecstasy Of Gold blaring in the background and then Hetfield racing on stage and shredding the first chords of Frantic. It seems that only real life produces the kind of chills that any Oscar contender could only dream of. What a film. A profoundly moving experience.

A step in the WRONG Direction

[scott-814 · 6/10 · 10 April 2005]

I have always liked Metallica and always will. However, I would equate "Some Kind of Monster" to the Michael Jackson ABC interview with Martin Bashir, one word, depressing. I suspect Metallica had complete control of the final cut, but didn't edit enough from this film. It should not have been made at all. With full realization that Metalica has in their 25 year run attained super group status and MTV's Icon, and sold Zillions of LPs and CD's, Metallica appears to believe they can offer up no wrong, both musically and now historically. Fundamentally, It only takes 3 bar chords to make good music, and about 30 Mins of concert footage and 20 Mins of Back Stage Antics and 10 Mins of antidotes and interviews to make a good Rock Film. And no need for a $40,000 a month therapist to sort things out. Metalica needs a "Peter Grant", not A team of human resource managers. Also word of advise, put the egotistical Guitar solos back, do you think Page would listen if someone told him that a solo on a Les Paul was a bad thing?

Sad But True

[bobwal2-1 · 5/10 · 19 May 2005]

As a lifelong Metallica fan, this film was to me very sad to watch. A band that once gave the finger to MTV, Rolling Stone and any other mainstream media outlet now lets a camera crew film them for three years, a la Ozzy. Yes I know they did their "Year and a Half" doc. in 1991, but that was strictly for their fans.

This movie just confirmed my suspicions that Lars Ulrich is the biggest jerk off in music today. He is a greedy egomaniac who only cares about one thing: making more money. When James decides to put his years of drinking behind him and go to rehab, Lars is only worried about how this will affect the recording sessions. James returns and is clearly taking his recovery very seriously. Instead of being a supportive friend, Lars just bitches that they can only work for four hours a day. As a recovering alcoholic myself, I can tell you that in your first year of sobriety, you are not supposed to make any life changing decisions. You focus on staying sober, and that is just what James is trying to do, to Lar's dismay.

Besides my disgust with Lars, the music is terrible. Didn't Bob Rock or Kirk Hamment bother to tell these guys that these songs were not going to make it onto the radio? It was also sad to see how they treated Jason Newstead. He was always the most level headed guy in the band, the one who cared what the fans thought. Perhaps he could see that Metallica's best days were behind them, and he wanted no part of St. Anger. Can't say I blame him.

We are left with a business partnership reviving its product.

[JohnDeSando · 9 July 2004]

The debate over whether or not Michael Moore's `Fahrenheit 9/11' should be called a `documentary' won't be heard hovering around Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's (`Brother's Keeper,' `Paradise Lost') `Metallica: Some Kind of Monster' because it is a documentary, an accurate rendering of the rock group's long struggle to create its latest album, `St. Anger.' Although sex and drugs play no role in the film and the groupie adulation is almost non present, making even the most out-of touch viewer skeptical, the battle of frontman James Hetfield with alcohol and the group with dysfunction has the feel of authenticity. We are left with a business partnership reviving its product.

By engaging `performance-enhancement coach' Phil Towle for $40,000 a month, Metallica puts its money where its mouth is-a serious effort to preserve the magic of a group that sold 90 million albums, so much a product of delicate personality bonding that the full time therapist had a real challenge to preserve the indefinable chemistry. Beside Hetfield's demons, drummer Lars Ulrich's Napster battle takes energy from the group, so Towle is probably a small investment in its survival. If heavy metal is not your thing, seeing this group psychodrama would be worth the admission.

Not seeming to fit the overall clinical activity of the film is a scene of Ulrich selling his art collection. Critic Ed Gonzalez gives an insightful explanation:

`There's a moment in the film where Berlinger and Sinofsky force a fascinating correlation between the paintings that hang in Ulrich's home and the music the band makes, calling attention to the relationship between art and the spectator and the way that art is consumed. This scene has absolutely nothing to do with the psych sessions between Metallica and Towle, and it's a great one.'

This kind of organic unity makes it a documentary of artful proportions. I still prefer classical and folk music, but I have to admit to a new interest in a musical genre I can share with my musician grandson Cody.

Some kind of burnout...

[Skeptic459 · 9/10 · 3 February 2005]

Metallica is indeed one of the most successful heavy metal bands in existence. However, this documentary, Some Kind of Monster, also exposes them to be one of the most bereft. I will leave it to the readers imagination where bereft should be placed. This doco does not give a flattering portrait of the band members. Some Kind of Monster is absolutely unflinching in revealing the underlying psychological dynamics of the band. I give Metallica credit for exposing themselves on camera so brutally.

Much humour comes from the fact that as the band members characters are revealed. They often come off as a real life spinal tap. It is such, that an outsider, who had never heard of Metallica, might perceive this documentary as a mockumentary. Kirk Hammett comes off particularly as a good guy who is just not very clever. Stating that things work themselves out for the better or worse, but they work themselves out. Well duh... Also, after getting some creative lyrical input, all he can add is 'Your lifestyle determines your deathstyle.' Probably one of the dumbest lines that I have heard in a while. Even for a metal band.

The main 'issue' that this doco reveals is that Metallica needs to ride off into the sunset.The three band members are burnt-out and only really making their music for money. All of the bandmembers have moved on and grown up from the angst ridden, angry twenty-somethings that they once were. Hetfield is now trying to be more of a family man. Lars Ulrich is more into art and seems more like he wants to be a dealer rather than a drummer. Even Kirk Hammett, who is the peacemaker in the band looks like he needs to move on. All of these guys would probably be happier if they called it a day and went their separate ways. It would also be easier on their fans, who by my quick glances at amazon, are not happy with Metallica's latest release.

It is not until they hire a new bassist, Danny Trujilo, that a new life in the band seems to appear. The band complains about showing up for practice, for coming up with music. They complain about having to be in a studio. Excuse me? These guys are making millions and they are complaining about having to spend some time in the studio? Oh to be a rock star with over 500 guitars! This lack of enthusiasm only adds to my theory of burn out.

Metallica illustrate how far they are now removed from their macho roots by hiring a therapist. Former bassist, Jason Newstead puts it best by saying how lame it is that they can't sought it out themselves. However the ego's of Hetfield and Ulrich are absolutely rampant and probably need some control through negotiation. Also, their producer is to obsequious to really confront their unbridled self indulgences.

Ulrich is possibly the most irritating man in rock. He absolutely rails against napster. But he also owns an impressive art collection that is worth millions of dollars. The hypocrisy is terribly confronting. This is revealed when he sells the paintings and gets drunk as they are auctioned. Because of Ulrichs grandstanding soapbox routine about napster. The inherent decadence of this scene totally annoys the viewer.

Ulrich talks, talks, talks and then talks some more. He pontificates pointlessly on the beginning and ending of art. Managing to completely sound pretentious. His father also steps in to state that their work just isn't much cop. Absolutely infuriating him! But the thing is he never actually says anything. Vapid, manipulating and annoying. But then Hetfield is a total control freak. The struggle for control of the band is a constant issue between these two characters. The funny thing is that because they are both such control freaks, they accuse each other of having major control issues.

The therapist himself doesn't really seem to do anything except be very serene with being paid 40,000 dollars a week. It is even revealed that he intends to move from his home and set up a base with Metallica. It is plainly obvious that the therapist has observed a major cash cow just waiting to be milked. Eventually the band remove him, but without some major group therapy work first.

What is also interesting is when Dave Mustaine shows up as part of the therapy. A whiny Mustaine bleats about how he was thrown out of Metallica. This is nonsensical because although Megadeth are not as successful as Metallica, they still have sold 15 million albums. When I was a teenage their was always someone wearing a Megadeth t-shirt! What is even more nonsensical is that Mustaines assertion that they are number two. Hey! Maybe back in the eighties Dave! The therapy session between Dave and Lars is never really resolved. Dave moans about being kicked out and Lars is so egocentric, he is incapable of caring.

What is more telling about these guys is the world that they live in. For instance, they are asked to appear on M.T.V's ICON at the end of the doco. They are given a standing ovation in a small M.T.V music studio. This endless adulation that they receive obviously does these guys no good. It is just a reminder to the viewers how artificial the worlds are that celebrities live in.

Overall, this is a very good doco that cuts right to the heart of Metallica. If you are a fan you should definitely see it. If you are not, you should still see it. It is a fascinating look into the lives of Rock Stars and how they are not as bulletproof as they would like to think that they are. As a docu it is excellent and really gives you the 'real' Metallica. 9 out of 10.

The band hits rock bottom

[Sandcooler · 9/10 · 15 August 2008]

Of all words to describe this movie, sadness is probably the most accurate. We see Metallica as we've never seen them before, nothing would make you believe they used to be an awesome band. We see them slave for months and months on new material, going through depressions and fights and getting psychological help for their fear of failure. The sad thing is, listening to "St.Anger" just makes you realise it just really wasn't worth it. It's just a very bad, uninspired record. You can hear them forcing themselves, and that's never good. This is an interesting document, but it's also painful to watch, with Dave Mustaine's appearance as it's "highlight". The way it captures a band in desperation is truly brilliant.

Some kind of marketing

[stensson · 7/10 · 18 July 2004]

This band has always been good in doing business, like or not. This documentary takes place in the two years the making of "St. Anger" took, including James Hetfield spending almost a year at rehabilitation.

There is probably many things the band don't let us see or hear about and one can't really find their conflicts, as shown here, that harsh. As a scratching on the edge it's good however and the film is not lying in giving an illusion of the everyday life of the band. The "power struggle", as it is shown here, is between Lars Ulrich and Hetfield and with their producer as an important "member" of the band, just like the therapist they hire for $ 40.000 a month.

What they don't seem to be a bit aware of is that this is just another way of showing how the privileged classes live. The struggle against Napster seems rude in that perspective.

Arrested Development

[ultrabort2000 · 8/10 · 20 May 2008]

A lot of people have mis-interpreted this film as a documentary about the rock band Metallica's latest studio album.

What we actually have here is a psychological case study of grown men who have the emotional intelligence of pubescent teenagers... men who have not had to grow up simply because they existed in the right place at the right time with the right image and name.

Their legend has grown far beyond their talents and abilities, and they are expected to turn out a quality product without a solid knowledge of songwriting or instrumental technique.

We see constant sessions of "jamming" ostensibly to write songs but with riffs that are all essentially the same. Attempts at playing end in frustration over inabilities to execute simple instrumental technique.

This is a cautionary tale about the kind of monster that has been created by our culture's overwrought adulation for popular musical acts and record companies' willingness to exploit people's emotions for personal gain.

Something I'd never seen before!

[shadowycat · 7/10 · 24 July 2004]

There is one scene 3/4 the way through the film where the band is auditioning new bass players. This isn't a spoiler, because this is much publicized and well-documented history besides being a focal point of the film.

In this one film, the art of the filmmaker, the art of the musician, and the art of the sound recordist come together in a stunning piece of digital audio acrobatic genius.

As the band plays what appears to be a single take on a single Metallica standard, the auditioning bass players interchange riff by riff, verse by verse. The song plays through, and the sound and video mix as if it were a single live performance. It's genius. It's very emotional, you can feel the energy exchange between the band and each audition, each a heavyweight in his own right, and you can hear the way they react off one another, but it's tied together like a montage, so seamlessly, the various auditioning musicians practically morphing into one another, so seamlessly is each player's distinctive vibe dropped into the mix even as the one before drops out.

It was so low key, so technically genius, and so natural, I can't help but imagine that to an untrained eye, viewers won't even realize what an amazing example of sound and video editing just transpired.

I could care less about the psychobabble and squabbling of the band. I could care less about their riches. But dear IMDBers, there is one amazing little piece of film artistry inside this documentary gem. Don't miss it.

Metal Drama

[Screen_O_Genic · 9/10 · 18 April 2022]

Coming into the millennium Metal legends Metallica were past their prime. Peaking a decade before with their most commercially successful album "Metallica" the over the hill metalheads were faced with a number of challenges that could have ended the band. Bassist Jason Newsted left; lead singer and rhythm guitarist James Hetfield underwent rehab for alcoholism and the band weren't getting along. Add in group therapy and the struggle to make an album in such conditions and you have the makings of a Heavy Metal soap opera. "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster" is a revealing peek into the personal interactions of one of the biggest bands in history and it's a fascinating look. The tension, arguments, camaraderie and rocking music make this a compelling watch. Glimpses and insights into the personalities involved show the human side to fame and fortune. The Dave Mustaine cameo and recruitment of Robert Trujillo are a treat. The doc is not without flaws: there are slow spots throughout and a few scenes are too coincidental one can't help but think they're scripted. A lesson on temperance and knowing when to make a graceful exit this standout rockumentary is a must for Rock and Metal fans.

So-so

[Cosmoeticadotcom · 6/10 · 18 September 2008]

The documentary film Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster is an example of a not so good piece of art about a subject that is not so good. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Metallica fan, and not one of those morons who refuse to grow up and believe their early thrash songs that sound all alike are somehow artistically superior to their later songs with melody and lyrics with a little more depth. It's just that while the filmmakers and band members hoped to do a film of 'great depth', which the commentary tracks harp on, the truth is that the members of the band are unwittingly close to the Spinal Tap territory inherent in any such venture. Basically, after bassist Jason Newsted left the band in 2001, over artistic differences, lead singer James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich warred for control over the band's future, while lead guitarist Kirk Hammett pretty much sat on the sidelines. Eventually, the band hired a $40,000 a month counselor named Phil Towle, not even a real shrink, to tell them things that any twelve year old could figure out.

Hetfield is an addictive sort, whose terminal machismo landed him in rehab, after doing a Ted Nugent impression, by going to kill bears in Siberia, then bleating over missing his son's first birthday, Ulrich is an artistic poseur, truly befuddled at the supposed 'meaning' of gold trim in terrible Basquiat paintings, which he later sells off for several million dollars, and asking such probing queries as 'Where does art begin? Where does it end?', and Hammett simply doesn't know how to cope with either, in between vacuously staring in camera and declaring himself egoless,. Add in do-nothing producer Bob Rock, for what would eventually become their St. Anger CD, and the makings for a great comic film are there, in spades….

Why can't we be friends

[safenoe · 8/10 · 31 March 2022]

This documentary raises the bar for sure, and whilst I'm not exactly drawn to Metallica, the documentary is for anyone who enjoys the insights into a heavy metal band that requires group therapy.

confused and awkward

[vincent-27 · 6/10 · 10 September 2005]

Okay, I am one of those "they sucked after ...And Justice For All" fans, I really loved their music in the 80's, it was far above what anyone else was doing at the the time and actually are many of the songs are brilliant musical creations, in ANY genre.

Enter Bob Rock in the early 90's, who was brought in to make them money. That he did, but in the process I think they lost their purpose and their minds. I think what you are witnessing on film is a band that should have packed up years ago and gone out in their prime, like Zeppelin and Floyd did. As a live band they still kick anybody's ass (try playing Battery without losing a a kidney) but they should stop making albums.

There are a few fascinating moments in the documentary and I could relate to some of the problems they were having being in a band myself, but much of this movie is slow, dull and not that insightful. There are huge gaps and then things happen that should have been explored in the film. For instance, James suddenly goes into rehab. What? There is nothing up until that point to indicate that he has a drinking problem except maybe the bear hunting trip (btw, hunting bears just after hibernation seems pretty lame to me). A good film would have had some footage foreshadowing this momentous event.

Another thing is Lars Ulrich seems to be the fakest human being I have ever seen. He seems to be hamming it up for the camera all the time and him and James get upset about nothing and it all looks quite fake, obviously trying to create some "drama" for the movie, when in reality nothing is really happening, just a bunch of whiny guys discussing their feelings. Don't get me wrong, it's important to do this in a band, or in any relationship otherwise you get all kinds of passive aggressive head game bullsh*t happening and it eventually explodes, but do I really need to see this? Should I feel sorry for these multi-millionaires with unheard of musical contracts living ideal lifestyles?

Go find "Cliff 'em All" and watch that instead, it's far more real and much more entertaining than this film.

Some Kind Of Problem

[tarheelpup · 1/10 · 25 February 2016]

Full disclosure:I'm yet another of those "Love the first four albums, hate the rest" Metallica fans. I approached the documentary a year after it came out and with no preconceptions. I hadn't heard the "St. Anger" album. And I was, well, not shocked exactly but quite disappointed. Not with the film, which is interesting in a trainwreck sort of way, but in the fact that the train ever reached a point that it crashed. When Metallica came along they were SPECIAL! I purchased several albums the day I purchased my first album by them (Master) and they totally blew not only MY mind but the minds of the other rock fans in the small town I grew up in. Metallica became "our" band, much as they did for many others.

I just watched SKOM again to see if the passing of years had been kind to it. They haven't. Watching James attempt to get himself sober and Lars being a whiny spoiled child is definitely entertaining in all the wrong ways. Lars telling James that he's being self centered is, ironically, the most self centered thing I've ever heard a rock musician say. Kirk Hammett almost seems to have Stockholm Syndrome. He seems so kowtowed by the two leaders makes me believe he feels he couldn't do anything on his own and he is stuck. Which may very well be true but it's hard to watch. The entire thing is hard to watch. 40 something year old millionaires attempting to be angry teenagers is unflattering and frankly embarrassing. After the release of the documentary and the horrible album that came from these sessions, Metallica attempted to release another album on which they "went back to their roots". It was no better. Now in 2016 and a full eight years since their last new music was released, Metallica is for all intents and purposes on par with the current lineup of KISS. Going out flogging the hits, being the world's greatest Metallica cover band. Jason Newsted left the band just as SKOM was being filmed. He made enough money in Metallica that he can do what he wants with his time and talent now with no concern over cash. For Metallica it's all about the money. Sad But True.