Metallica Through the Never (2013) User Reviews (73)

Great Metallica concert but I wouldn't call it a movie.

[dinko-bakic · 6/10 · 8 October 2013]

I just got home and thought I had to write something about this movie.

First of all, I've seen Metallica 9 times live, and I am a fan, but when it comes to their movies, I get sceptical. Remember "Some Kind of Monster"? The movie starts off with an introduction of all characters, which seems unnecessary, except the roadie character Trip (DeHaan).

The band starts their show and Trip gets an unexpected assignment. It seems to me that DeHaan's parts are not more than 10 Minutes in the whole movie.

The rest of the movie is just an awesome Metallica gig with their stage sets from the past, well at least Lady Justice and the Enter Sandman part from the "cunning stunts" video/DVD - box from 1997 and of course some new stage setting ideas.

The roadie has to look for an item, which is somewhere in the city, which seems to be in a parallel universe or Trip is having a trip.

*Spoiler* Its a leather satchel bag, which the band needs to play the gig. As Trip finds it he looks inside, but the viewer cant see whats in it. When Trip then returns to the venue, the movie is over and we are left, not knowing whats in there. BUT if you are a Metallica fan, and stay in your seat, you probably can assume what it is, as the band plays "Orion" during the credits... I read it somewhere else a few minutes ago and I also thought the same while seeing the ending credits,... it's probably Cliff Burtons soul, because its always with Metallica.

A good ending honoring a great bass player!

For the die-hard fans

[haphazard72 · 8/10 · 24 January 2014]

I've just watched this and don't quite know what to make of it.

Whilst I love my hard rock and heavy metal, I'm not a massive fan of Metallica however I'd heard about this and wanted to check it out.

I must admit, I want to see them live now though! If this is an indication of their concerts and level of enthusiasm, I'm in!

The concert stuff was great. The effects were amazing. Just not sure about the tie in with the story. It was OK, but it didn't grab me by the big ones and drag me in. It could've been so much more perhaps (but not sure what!!!)

I'd suggest for the die-hard fans only....

Oh, by the way, watch right through the credits!!!

something special for special viewers!

[geor_20284 · 7/10 · 7 October 2013]

Just watched it and went back home in awe. It's not only because it was the most spectacular show i 've ever watched, nor because the back story freaked me out. It was because i realized that through the never i got a glimpse from future music entertainment.

Let me guarantee you some things about Through the never. -You WILL have a good time. -You will head bang. -You will grab the person next to you saying "this is surreal mate" -You will sing Metallica songs for the rest of the week. -You will start imagining other bands doing the same thing in the future.

But let me just say some cons -You will have a small headache, similar to the one after a loud concert -You won't see any plot -If you are not a Metallica fan or a metal fan in general you are in for a shock -If you are Mustaine, you will feel like crying again.

Seriously now, nobody should miss it especially in 3D. It is like a big concert video clip. It will change music live shows in the future. Metallica are still pioneers.

A truly magnificent, astonishingly ambitious project

[gordlaws · 9/10 · 19 September 2013]

Before anyone starts going off-topic in the comments, yes, I'm a fan. I also understand the irony of starting with that statement. My point: this is a review of a cinema experience. An outstanding one. Made more exciting to me because it happens to be by and about my favourite band. This is NOT a discussion of the merits of said band's existence. Although it will strike a mighty blow for Metallica when those arguments do inevitably come up, hopefully elsewhere. Moving swiftly along...

This is just a truly mind-blowing sensory overload. Never has a band showcased their live performance with such an ambitious, technical, multi-sensory project. I wouldn't have even thought it possible. They don't just use the handy 3D technology to add gimmick to the next in a long line of live video releases. No. Metallica have pushed the boundaries of the technology itself, and added dimensions to what we see as possible within the realm of 3D cinema.

I had the privilege of chatting with Lars about this when they played some shows here in March, and he described it as their "attempt to truly showcase what they do and who they are." Man, does this emphatically succeed.

The stage is a kind of mutant super-setup, comprising video screens, pyro, tesla coils and the best parts of everything they've ever done in their live shows. As the audience, you're in/on/under/part-of the stage, alongside the band, in glorious 3D.

And, it's tasteful. In as much as Metallica at their tightest, hardest, loudest, biggest and fiercest can be "tasteful."

As for the little story within what is really the best ever technical and technological presentation of a rock concert, it's a lovely compliment to the energy of the performance itself. I don't wanna give-away too much, but as the show begins, a young roadie is sent on an errand. Things go badly (surreally and beautifully) wrong. It's not just exhilarating, but wonderfully interwoven with the songs and the "storylines" within them.

I'm proud to have seen Metallica live seven times. I count this as the eighth. And it probably ranks fourth amongst those eight live (or, in this case, damn-near live) experiences. Truly, truly mind-blowing.

Metallica have truly - and astonishingly - documented what they do and why they are the very best there's ever been at doing it.

Essential for fans, and absolutely worthwhile for all but the most hateful of heavy music in general. Bravo.

Great for fans

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 28 December 2014]

Trip (Dane DeHaan) is a young skateboarding Metallica roadie. In the middle of the show, the road manager tells Trip to find one of their trucks that had run out of gas in the city. He needs to refill it and drive it back because the band needs something on the truck. Trip takes a pill and starts on a surreal journey into the night.

In the best tradition of music movies, this is a concert movie with a layer of imagination that immerses the audience in the experience. I'm not a big Metallica fan so the music has limited appeal to me other than 'Enter Sandman'. However, I'm sure that fans will love this and it matters very little what my review actually says. For non-fans, this won't be appealing because the music and concert footage is ever present. DeHaan is a terrific young actor and he's great in his limited part.

Bang Your Head!

[GnarfleTheGarthok · 10/10 · 3 October 2013]

Metallica does it again! These guys always know how to raise the bar for every other metal band out there. IMAX 3D is the way to go! Almost everyone was amped in the theater and we were all pretty much rocking in our seat and singing along. We were even clapping like it was an actual concert! Metallica provided total energy throughout the film. It was 70% concert (like you were on stage with them), 25% action movie, and 5% music video! Anyway, they did not skimp on the effects or the sound! I'm not sure what ssp113 was talking about when he/she stated that the resolution was awful. It was the coolest and clearest thing ever! So, if you are a metal fan and, especially, a Metallica fan, you are going to love this film and rock your way through it!

2 stars for the "film" component, 4 stars for the concert. There's nothing like seeing Metallica live, as the 15,000 people in the crowd can attest to!

[gavinp9 · 6/10 · 2 January 2018]

Pretty simple - if you like Metallica, you'll enjoy this film, and if you don't like their music - don't watch it! It's essentially a concert film, although shorter than usual, since they only play 14 songs over 90min, rather than the usual 18-20 songs over 140min. The only difference being that this concert is interspersed with 2-5min clips of the roadie (DeHaan) fetching a bag...

I admire what Metallica have tried to do here - spicing up a standard concert film by adding some narrative - but it doesn't really work as you don't really care what's going on outside the venue, especially since it makes no sense! It's basically just the roadie running around, being chased in a fantasy land... And pretty frustrating with the intentional tease of what's in the bag?

The actual concert itself is great - when you open with two of your best songs ('Creeping Death' and 'For Whom The Bell Tolls'), it's pretty amazing that you can still have songs just as good at the end! I wish they had the full 'Ecstasy of Gold' intro - it's pretty special live. I found it funny that 'Through The Never' (off the Black album) never got a run, and 'One', 'Cyanide' and 'Wherever I May Roam' are all cut short. But the amount of effort put into the stage show and design - on top of the coffins used for all of the Death Magnetic tour - is astounding. The stage is made of LED's, plenty of lasers and pyrotechnics, there's the statue from And Justice For All, headstones from Master of Puppets and a giant electric chair from Ride The Lightning. The only thing I didn't like of the concert part was the end to 'Enter Sandman', which was ripped (unnecessarily) off their concert DVD, 'Cunning Stunts'. Also, the band playing all of 'Orion' during the credits is pretty great. Not bad for a bunch of 50-year-olds!

Accept this for what it is...

[allan-doyle1973 · 10/10 · 18 October 2013]

It's a concert film, it's not a movie. Metallica fans or anyone that has ever taken acid will relate to the cut scenes and the metaphors within the journey of Trip the roadie, as ridiculous as they are.

To anyone else, it's pointless, over the top & completely rudderless, but to the hardcore, lifelong fans who revel in the spectacular. It's too short, not loud enough and not a moment too soon.

The first review in IMDb is from "ssp113" he called it the worst "film" he'd ever see. I use my real name on this site, but I've got a feeling his real name might be Dave Mustaine? Ego's..............don't make me laugh, it's METALLICA BABY!!!

Too Much Band, Too Little Plot

[trevor-mcinsley · 7/10 · 12 February 2014]

On paper the plot synopsis for this film sounded brilliant. At least the plot synopsis that I heard of it. A lone roadie facing some kind of over the top apocalypse with the soundtrack provided by Metallica. On a scale of 1 to awesome that is Godzilla fighting a flaming King Kong.

Unfortunately the direction just doesn't really take this to heart and the result is simply an hour and a half of Metallica performing with interspersed scenes of the actual plot. It's a shame really because where they overlay the music onto the roadie's story the result is absolutely brilliant. Cutting between the riots and the crowd with Cyanide playing is perhaps the best part of the whole film. The intro to And Justice For All whilst he walks beneath the hanging bodies is good as are the scenes cut into Master of Puppets.

The problem is that this underlying plot really should occupy more of the film. Most of it frankly. I mean it doesn't even really appear for the first forty minutes. The music should provide a backdrop for these apocalyptic scenes the whole way through. Instead the roadie's scenes mostly just appear between the songs or during intros and outros. The result is that I was continually left thinking 'when are we going to get back to the plot?' and wanting songs to end just so I could find out what was going on in the actual story.

This is completely the wrong attitude as the music itself is fantastic. I listen to Metallica all the time and I've seen them live a few times however I really never watch 'Live' DVDs as I generally find them boring. The stage show and the atmosphere of a live performance just cannot be captured on film.

The film only really comes into its own in the last half hour when the plot and the show come together properly. The problem is that when this happens it isn't especially clear what the plot is, what's going on or why. There are some pretty epic visuals running alongside the music but it just doesn't make much sense. Yes setting fire to yourself and running into a crowd with flailing fists looks awesome but logically chucking the burning petrol at them is probably more sensible.

Given that the main character is apparently named 'Trip' and he is seen taking a pill towards the start of the film the logical conclusion is that everything that happened, happened in his mind. The film doesn't elaborate on this at the end... in fact it just doesn't really have an ending. It just sort of stops. The problem with using a 'trip' as the basis for a plot is that the viewer cannot really invest in anything that is happening. In terms of narrative it is along the lines of ending a story with 'and then I woke up'; when the reader discovers that the last three hundred pages didn't actually happen they can feel cheated.

I had imagined that this was going to be something along the lines of 28 Days Later accompanied by an hour and a half of metal. In reality it's an hour and a half of metal accompanied by maybe ten minutes of weird cinematics devoid of plot, reason or explanation. The synopsis I heard from a friend evidently was wrong and I cannot blame the film for that. However the notion of an apocalypse taking place whilst the concert goers were completely unaware seemed truly fantastic. That's the film I'd like to see.

Instead of making a strong film which might appeal to a wide market and introduce Metallica's music to a new audience it is a film that only Metallica fans would sit through. When the credits rolled and the band members were listed as the writers, producers, directors and so on... Dethklok's 'Blood Ocean' came to mind...

If you're looking for a concert, then you will love it. If you want a movie, welll....

[Medowmeal · 5/10 · 25 December 2013]

now, I'm quite the metallica fan, so naturally when i heard they were making a movie, i was psyched, confused by the trailer but still.

I watched it in 3d with all the overpriced sugar and toppings of today's cinemas, and it was truly a great experience. The sound was superb. But as to the actual movie, it was (a bit to my disappointment) almost entirely a concert. The 'story' about trip and his 'trip' has probably a total running time of 10-15 min. They said the were making a movie, they advertised it like a movie, so i imagined it wouldn't be 85% concert. It's a great concert though.

I gave it a 5 because i simply didn't know how to rate this. The fact is: if you love metallica and want to see a concert DVD with some interesting and surreal side story between songs, then you will love this and it would be a 7.5/10. But if you want to see a movie by J.Hetfield coupled with metallica songs, your gonna have a... well not a bad time, just not a very good one either.

Amazing sound and 3D concert!!

[blampright · 9/10 · 27 September 2013]

Seeing Metallica on an IMAX screen in 3D and hearing them come through the amazing sound systems in IMAX....WOW, what a treat. If you are a Metallica fan DO NOT MISS this opportunity to see the best possible concert experience outside being there in person. The "move" aspect was a fun little adventure, but lets face it, I was there to HEAR Metallica on an amazing sound system.

The Audio was the highest quality best sounding I have ever hear Metallica (or any other band) in my entire life. The sound was loud yet crystal clear with the ability to hear each individual instrument as if they were performing right in front of you. It was astounding! You will not be disappointed in your ears. Watching this on IMAX you will understand why the MP3 format finally needs to die and we need a much higher quality sound format to do our ears justice! I'm desperately trying to find this album in 192khz FLAC, but no dice...guess I'll just have to wait for it on Bluray.

The 3D was equally as good. IMAX 3D is far superior to other theaters, you forget you are wearing glasses and you are completely immersed into the film. It's so crystal clear that it actually feels as if you are right there. IMAX 3D never fails to disappoint!

Bottom line, if you love seeing Metallica live GO SEE THIS "MOVIE"...it's spectacular!

Essentially (and essential!) for Metallica Fans!

[mario_c · 7/10 · 8 February 2014]

As a Metallica fan for more than twenty years (since I was a young teenager back in 1991) I didn't know what to expect from this METALLICA THROUGH THE NEVER. I heard a few little things about it but nothing too specific because I wanted to go see it with a fresh mind, without any previous ideas. That said and by what I've seen I think it's mainly a concert with a parallel plot that it is in fact a bit confusing and unclear. I don't know if it was just a hallucination (since he took some pills in the beginning, before he went to his mission) or not but the guy dies and rises again like an immortal! In fact it really seems to be just an amount of stuck scenes to illustrate the songs which were being played in the concert, more than a solid and coherent plot. But if it was the case I think better "scenes" should have been chosen to "illustrate" the songs, exception made just for two or three, like "Fuel" or "Ride the lightning". Nice FX were used though and technically the scenes are well done, I just feel that if we separate the "concert" and the "movie" this last one would be very short, incoherent and almost with no sense…

So I think this feature is essentially (and essential!) for Metallica fans as it is mainly a concert, and as a live performance I think it was great! I also did appreciate the final credits when the play "Orion" all dressed in black. I quickly understood it was some kind of memorial, but unlike I initially thought it wasn't dedicated to Cliff Burton but to Mark Fisher instead (famous stage architect who died last year). As a "concert" I would score it straightest to the top but as a "movie" I don't score it more than 7/10.

Not a movie, just a concert.

[rodrigo-polo-321-818810 · 5/10 · 28 January 2014]

As many here have said, I love Metallica, but I feel disappointed, I was expecting a movie, and even though it isn't a movie but a concert with a little tiny movie within, the movie doesn't have any explanation on what was all the crazy stuff on the little movie shoots, and what was in the bag at the end, it makes me angry.... but a great concert after all, Cunning Stunts on steroids... or "Cunning Stunts on HD, 3D, Dolby Atmos and 15 years later".

There is not a single reason or explanation on why there are zombies, why there is some kind of rioting, why the guy in the truck is scared or what is happening to him, what is the meaning on the horsemen, no explanation at all.

Some argue that the bag contained Cliff Burton soul, but again, nothing concrete.

Worth a watch!

[ItsNewman · 9/10 · 14 October 2013]

I have allowed a week to pass before writing this review, mainly so I can be a bit more critical than I would have been otherwise. After some time to absorb this experience, I stand behind most of my initial thoughts.

It rocks. Plain and simple.

Okay, so if you are not a Metallica fan and have nothing better to do than bash this film for being egotistical or lacking in plot or some other such nonsense, please save your breath. This is a movie experience designed for musicians and metal heads. Is it flawless? Absolutely not. Are there scratch-your-head moments? Yep. But is the end result worth it? One hundred percent!

The wraparound storyline seems a tad forced at times, but the imagery and scenery are a welcome break from the flashing lights and grandeur of the concert performance. Metallica prove themselves worthy musicians even after all these years. They also prove that there is a Metallica riff for any type of sequence you will ever encounter in a film. The song choices compliment the action perfectly, building an added layer of depth among a movie that is somewhat lacking in that department. Let's face it, this IS basically just a concert. Like it or not, you are paying to watch a performance first, subplot second.

As a musician, I was hoping for a bit more behind-the-scenes looks than were offered. I know that there must be numerous crew members handling sound mixing, guitar effects, lighting and set changes, all of which would have been an added bonus. (Although perhaps they choose not to give away too many secrets?) A few more camera shots of the fingers, particularly during solos, would also have been great, but I was certainly satisfied with what they offered.

Overall, tremendously mixed, well-imagined experience for anyone with even a remote interest in metal (or just good music). See it in IMAX while you can. It's cheaper than a true concert and you don't have to dodge a moshing mob of sweaty drunks. Well worth the price.

Also they play Orion during the credits. Enough said.

A mixed bag.

[SanitariumLXIX · 6/10 · 28 September 2013]

First, I'll go on record as saying that I'm very much a Metallica fan (look at my screen handle). That being said, I was on one level enthralled with this movie, and disappointed on another.

The movie begins with its protagonist, a young roadie played by Dane DeHaan, arriving at an arena where the band is preparing for a show. Each band member is given a ridiculous introduction (although I laughed out loud at Lars Ulrich's first appearance), but thankfully we are quickly thrown into the only real entertaining part of the movie; the concert.

During the band's opening song, the roadie is given an assignment that will carry him across town to retrieve an important package that is somehow vital to the band.

The band plays on, and in between songs (sometimes during) we see the roadie's quest take one bizarre and surreal turn after another in an effort to locate this essential item.

Here's what works; the entire concert portion of the movie is beautifully shot, sounds incredible, and is edited so perfectly that if this were just a concert movie it would rank among the best.

But, it's not just a concert movie, and that isn't a good thing. The fictional surreal quest of this roadie is such a dull and boring mess that you're longing for the action to shift back to the arena to see more of the band. I applaud the effort of trying to blend a movie with a live concert, but this just doesn't work the way it's presented. More about this package; it's a borrowed plot device from Pulp Fiction, and it got groans from the group of fans I saw this with. No imagination here at all.

For Metallica fans, it's a must see for the concert part alone. But I cannot in good conscience recommend it to regular movie-goers as the fictional story comes across as pretentiously laughable. "Who are these musicians trying to be film makers?" is the kind of response I would expect from the average Joe. If you do decide to take the plunge, I implore you; don't see it for a movie. See it for the music, which is what Metallica should just be about anyway.

Unreal

[QPrimeS · 10/10 · 16 September 2013]

I highly suggest this to anyone that is a fan of rock and roll in general. Metallica has provided an unbelievable experience for fans in general of music and it should be noted that you must not be a fan of Metallica to truly appreciate what they've done here and the kind of risk it took. This has never been done before. We are witnessing a band once again trekking onto untracked waters and if anyone can trudge through that and come out successful, well it would be Metallica as they've already proved they can walk through fire and brimstone. Just as they took the giant Napster down, so too they will slay the concert documentary world changing it for the better forever.

Divided impressions

[Bored_Dragon · 7/10 · 10 August 2018]

I just finished this "movie" and I have divided impressions.

If I look at this as a concert DVD:

• I would give anything to see such a production live at least once in a lifetime.
• Stage, props, production, visual appearance... awesome.
• Lars is worse than on "St. Anger" tour in 2004, but better than on "Black" tour in 2012.
• That gambol, even after more than a decade, has not become an integral part of Metallica for me, and I continue to regard him as a foreign body and a temporary replacement.
• Overall impression of this concert is about 8/10.

If I look at this as a movie or a music video:

• Good production and editing.
• Over-the-top, meaningless, confusing story.
• What does this have to do with Metallica or the concert?
• Painfully boring. I was about to give up on it after just half an hour, and I barely forced myself to endure. The last third or less was slightly better, but music alone stopped me from giving up on it.
• WTF is in the bag?!
• Overall movie impression is about 3/10.

Awesome experience at the 3D IMAX!

[roxanebaskett · 10/10 · 28 September 2013]

Went to see this in 3D at the IMAX and LOVED it, what an experience (even though I went alone)!

Unfortunately I have never been to see Metallica in concert because my friends don't like my kind of music, so this is the next best thing. I'm a fan, so I obviously liked all the songs played throughout the movie/concert; the band's performance is outstanding.

The sound and visual effects were amazing, particularly during the roadie's storyline.

It's great to see these guys have been rocking it for 30 years and they've still got it. James looks smokin' hot, love his sexy hair!!

This is a must see at the IMAX, don't wait for it to come out on DVD or the movie channel - these won't do it the justice it deserves.

This is something not to be missed.

[martinkrush · 11 October 2013]

So, few quick thoughts about screening of "Metallica Through The Never" I had a big pleasure of attending. What can I say - it was simply phenomenal and I am still blown away! Not that I would expect anything else from the best band ever but still, it was just another level. And they took live performance to another level too with that monstrous, colossal stage filled with elements from their entire superb career.

Apparently I can say this was my 10th Metallica gig, since this is as close as you can get to experience them live... not being on the actual concert! The 3D effect made you feel like you're up there on stage with Metallica, it was incredible and took my breath away. Camera work was outstanding and the whole project was a really huge effort for everyone involved, so thanks to every single person who made it happen. I really liked the surreal plot, I think it was great and quite universal addition to the concert footage, up to your interpretation, just like most of James Hetfield's lyrics. Dane (DeHaan) did a really good job portraying Trip and in a way we can relate to him as loyal, passionate Metallica fans going through struggle in our own lives, just like him during his... trip. He was a hero and we can be one too, if we try and if we dedicate our souls and hearts to something important (it can be Metallica, our family, friends, you choose what it is for you). I just wish the movie part was longer but then... I feel like everything was too short, hah. And I have to add that... Well, you know how much that band means to me, how big, influential and significant part of my life they are, so there were obviously few moments when I cried (how can you not when they walk on stage during epic "The Ecstasy Of Gold"?). Seeing Metallica is always a very emotional (!) experience for me so that's good I had the glasses on, no one could see a sensitive little boy in tears, haha. And the ending with a tribute to Cliff Burton (at least that's how I felt myself) and the boys performing "Orion" in an empty arena - it was very special and beautiful.

All in all: an amazing, exceptional movie and tremendous job put into "Metallica Through The Never". I don't have to add that the concert itself and performance by the band was out of this world but it's something that Metallica got me used to. They're so full of passion and you can just feel it when they're on stage doing what they do best. Go see it, spread the word, tell your friends, tell your pets, tell everyone! This is something not to be missed. Trust me. After all, have I ever lied to you?

It was good

[DJAkin · 7/10 · 10 October 2013]

I liked it, don't get me wrong. It was great to see the up close 3D shots of each member. The setlist was great other than nothing else matters and The Memory Remains. I would have rather seen Leper Messiah and Breadfan in those places. I noticed stuff that I don't usually notice. I noticed stuff that I really kind of don't care to see, such as Lars standing up and hitting the drums or Robert's "crabwalk". I notice that Kirk runs a lot to! I never noticed how much he runs. But the music was excellent, the sound was great. I was one of five people in the entire theater. I was singing along to most of the music. I loved to get a perspective of what it's like ON STAGE for the boys rather than a concert you watch from the crowd. I noticed that the coffins had cool stuff like videos of people trying to escape, but the coffins were facing the ceiling. Maybe that was JUST for the movie. If I were at the actual show, I would not be able to see this. This was a first for ANY metal band, and for that I applaud Metallica. The "storyline" was OK, didn't do anything for me either way. The scene at the beginning where James Hetfield drives into the garage in his car with flames shooting out was corny as was Trujillo's crabwalk bass practicing. Bottom line is this: Metallica does not have the same effect on me now, no mater how perfectly they play, that they did when I listened to them for roughly four years straight every single day back in 86-90. They are the lowest on the mohs scale out of all thrash bands. But I still enjoyed the movie. I would have rather seen the IMAX. I am glad I saw the 3D - that really made the difference for me.

Orgasmic heights for rock fans, everyone else needn't apply.

[gt-thereelword · 5/10 · 10 October 2013]

Concert films, generally speaking, are made specifically for fans of the artist or band. Thus, making it slightly difficult to objectively critique this type of film without leaning to the biased opinions of their music. Fans will no doubt have a field day, others will be momentarily entertained before growing weary of the proceedings.

The film follows the aptly named Trip (Dane DeHaan), a young roadie who works for Metallica. During one of their latest concerts, Trip is sent on a mission to retrieve a mysterious item from a broken down truck. What starts out as a straight-forward task, soon descends into a surreal fight for survival. The streets quickly become a battleground for rioters and law enforcement officers, while a malevolent and murderous horseman makes it his mission to kill our young roadie. Will Trip manage to deliver this mysterious package – or even survive this bizarre hell that has taken over the city? This plot unfolds in sections; as we go back and forth between Trip's adventure and Metallica's concert. The concert itself is truly impressive. A feat of stage wizardry and technical performance, Metallica's live show is a visual spectacle that manages to creatively incorporate various elements of live-effects. Obviously, fans will rock along regardless of what unfolds on stage, but every couple of songs brings a new element that will at least renew the visual interest in their performance.

Stage technicality and concert values aside, non-fans will inevitably get bored. As the songs progress, many will find their interest dwindling, wanting to return to Trip's predicament as a sort of breather. This is where Metallica: Through the Never runs into trouble. Trip's journey doesn't engage as much as it initially promises to, but director Nimród Antal (Kontroll, Vacancy, Armored, Predators) brings creativity and an infectious level of energy to the mix. There are some dynamic sequences that make no sense whatsoever, but damn they look cool. This is the general formula that drives the spark towards a dying fizzle by the time the film finishes.

Surreal and bizarre, Trip's plot doesn't offer more than visual flourishes. Special effects and slick transitions may look great on the big screen, but an almost cocky level of artsiness will have more eyes rolling than eyebrows raising. As a sort of MacGuffin, this mysterious package doesn't ever add up to much. In fact, nothing that takes place arrives at a satisfactory conclusion. How the concert connects with Trip's trip is beyond me, although Metallica fans may have answers in abundance.

This brings me to the overall point. While the film's concert impresses, the films elusive concept doesn't quite connect with non-fans. Unless your willing to simply enjoy the music and accept the strangeness of the overall story arc, then you won't be left satisfied in the slightest. A Metallica film aimed squarely at those that throw finger-horns and head-bang. Metallica: Through the Never could very well reach orgasmic heights for rock fans, everyone else needn't apply.

• thereelword.net

just a thrilling entertainment with classic Metallica performances

[Quinoa1984 · 8/10 · 10 October 2013]

No, it won't make my top ten of the year or whatever. But I'd be lying if I said this wasn't one of the most entertaining experiences in a theater I've had in a long time. I have my nitpicks as a fan about the concert itself (what, The Memory Remains over playing Wherever I May Roam in full? And Hetfield being in his fifties necessitates some songs, though not all thankfully, tuned a little lower for his vocal range). What counts and what was impressive is the production value is spot on, the music video approach with the "story" I dug (really, is it any more silly than what we saw Beavis and Butthead covering back in the day? or Song Remains the Same for that matter, which this trumps), And it was just a lot of shameless fun.

I found myself laughing several times, not even cause anything was hysterical (though I'm glad to see Bane is back and now on horseback!) but because it doesn't kid itself as to how bad ass it is, or tries to be. The band is solid as ever and its mostly loaded with stuff from the 80s - if anything is cheesy and does go too far it's the statue from and justice for all playing during the song being performed being built on the stage, and the "drama" they try to put into the stage show, which is a bit much considering what else they're doing with DeHaan in the film - and there's nary a fault in musicianship. Hey, you can even hear the bass now on those justice tracks! Even the 3d made the experience more enjoyable, for the bits that Nimrod Antal used it for and for it being not too obtrusive either. Go see it on a big screen if possible with good sound, and try to resist the urge getting up and just trashing all around and acting like a maniac.

Something different

[ffpmlex · 7/10 · 16 May 2022]

I'm a Metallica fan and had no idea what this was about. I started watching the first few minutes and thought it was a movie, but then realized it's a concert performance with a fictional storyline in between songs. Also, my wife isn't a Metallica fan. However, her interest was piqued with the storyline that she continued to watch it without objection, so I consider this a win! The audio and visual from the concert was pretty good as well.

Umm. What?!

[theocookson · 1/10 · 23 March 2014]

This movie made me want to set myself on fire and run flailing into an angry mob of baseball equipped, bike-less bikers.

I just waded through a sea of reviews praising this 'masterpiece' and time after time was brought to tears with laughter. This isn't a movie! It may have been a good concert if Lars was replaced with the phonics monkey from South Park and James started drinking again. The timing in all the songs were so interchangeable that one would think it was a documented case of rhythm perceived by a person with half a brain. The concert was not one of their greatest and I get that not every concert is going to be great but this was the one they put their stupid movie to. Well... Maybe calling it a movie is a bit too much. I've read in reviews that people shouldn't bad-mouth it for it's content and watch it like you would a concert... No. Watch a concert like you would a concert. They released this as a movie, with a movie trailer and everything, then they lazily put badly written scenes from a story with absolutely no direction in between songs. Yeah I'm done writing this sh!tty review. The movie was sh!t but it was at least hilarious. Download it, watch it, laugh or cry. Warm gooey pen!s butter in your eye.

Metallica Delivers!

[ijmunoz · 8/10 · 30 September 2013]

Although, a viewer can never fully experience a Metallica concert by simply watching a film, this is as close as you can get. The 3D and IMAX aspect were excellent. The sound was awesome and the picture was extremely clear. The story that goes with the film can be interpreted in different ways, but isn't that the way it is with art? Metallica did a great job on stage by keeping visual effects playing so that the audience doesn't get bored. And just when you think the concert is getting tiresome in content, it changes up again. It seems to me that the band put serious effort into this movie. They play homage to to old school, die hard metal fan, and move forward in keeping up with various trends. Some may feel that they were ripped off in other areas of the film, but if that is the case, they didn't get the just of the film.