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Metallica: Year and A Half Parts 1 & 2 Director: Adam Dubin Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Academy Ratio Format: Color Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 180 minutes Studio: Wea/Elektra Entertainment Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 1999-11-23 Buy from Amazon |
 "Great Look into the bands studio life"If you're looking for a fairly in depth look at Metallica in the studio and on tour this is a great DVD to get. It was really interesting some of the things that happened in the studio for this wicked album, showing how they did things here and there, definately cool. Part 2 when they were on tour is also interesting to see, my only gripe is that they show them playing Enter Sandman like 4 times.... They could have at least put in some other songs, either off the Black Album, or any others. Other than that though, I give it 5 stars, great DVD.  "A must if you're a hardcore fan, a decent rental if not..."The only reason I would hesitate to recommend this to anyone who even has a passing interest in Metallica is the sheer length of it - four hours! It's an awful lot to digest at once, or even in pieces, but of course if you love this band, four hours is not an inconvenience, it's a BONUS. It's also a great insight for everyone interested in the recording process. The second part of the disc covers the band on tour, which is a scenario covered in countless other rock documentaries. But the first part, covering the recording of the "Black Album" offers some intriguing information into what a producer actually does, and the producer here is one of the most legendary in the business. Bob Rock probably ranks only behind "Mutt" Lange and the late Bruce Fairbairn on the list of sucessful hard rock/metal producers. It also succeeds in showing Metallica as a relatively down-to-earth band. Of course this is back when they were only used to selling 3 or 4 million copies of an album instead of the 10 million that this one managed to move, so who knows how egotistical they are now (all you pro-Napster/anti-Lars fans hush, I'm talking raw personality here, not their business ethics). The most amusing thing I saw in this video was the very first scenes - Metallica fans lined up outside music stores just before the official midnight release of the "Black Album", and stacks of Metallica CASSETTES and CD's in CARDBOARD LONGBOXES sitting next to the cash registers. That along with the decidedly 80's hairstyles and fashions let you know that you're definitely not watching anything from the post-hair metal era in music (that would occur only a few short months after this footage was shot - when Nirvana would come along and change the rules about everything). "Year and A Half is pretty good"The great part about this DVD is that it really gets across the genuine nature of Metallica as a band. They work very hard, and are dedicated to their music. If it isn't apparent in any of their albums or concerts, it is in this DVD. It was extremely interesting seeing the details of one of the longest metal tours ever, and watching the recording was fun and interesting. Some drawbacks include: lack of special features (not-a-one!), copious amounts of horse-play by the band and every other loser that knows their on camera, and Lars Ulrich. Another thing that was dissapointing was the concerts, which I felt were a little boring. "If you want to know what it's really like to be a rock star"this gives you the inside scoop. Metallica fans will love it because it's got it all - behind the scenes footage, interviews, recording sessions, and concert footage. But anybody who's ever wanted to live the rock & roll life (and do it successfully) will get a great insight into how much hard work it takes. The first half of the DVD covering the recording of the "Black Album" is worth the price alone. After seeing this, you'll know what it's really like to be in the studio and how gruelling it can be. No wonder Lars has an attitude about people ripping their songs of the internet! The concert footage is awesome - it's what you'd expect from Metallica. These guys are talented musicians, cool dudes, and funny. As always, Metallica gives you your money's worth - this is a long DVD. I suggest watching it over a 2-night period to attain maximum absorbtion. Buy it. Watch it. Crank it Loud, and Rock On!  "Mostly OK but..."I would have enjoyed this DVD more if there were more concert footage. The behind-the-scenes coverage just makes Lars look like a mentally deficient jerk who didn't get his ass beat enough as a kid. The Sandman and Unforgiven video clips and sound are very good. |