Orlando Lens
Metallica Through the Never is an intriguing proposition: a concert film with a narrative attached. While Metallica play an arena show in an unnamed city (the concert footage is from two shows in Canada), a young roadie named Trip is sent on a mission to retrieve a package from a broken-down truck. Metallica's greatest hits underscore his journey, which becomes increasingly surreal and violent as he enters a nightmarish hellscape and is forced to fend for himself in his quest. What Metallica is offering with this film is not so much a rock opera, but a long-form music video that make for an intriguing proposition for a theater visit. Mix in 3D IMAX visuals and sound, and you have the potential for something ambitious and wonderful. Unfortunately, what promises to be more story than concert film turns out to be very lop-sided on the concert footage. While the shows the band performs are very exciting, a concert film is just a concert film, and the audience's journey Through the Never ends up being one that will truly thrill only die-hard Metallica fans, while more casual metal listeners will be entertained but not enthralled. And if you hate metal? Stay away, ya nub.
Metallica Through the Never is exclusive to IMAX 3D theaters, and the visuals, both in the concert sections and the story sections, have a certain brutal panache, but at this point the 3D gimmick has been so over-used that it's hard to get excited. The sound mix, however, shines in an IMAX theater which has far more points from which sound can emanate. I consider myself a casual fan of Metallica at best, but Through the Never reminded me that for men in their 30s and 40s, the band is pretty ubiquitous. Outside of a few songs, most of Through the Never's setlist hit familiar parts of my memory. It doesn't hurt, of course, that Metallica is one of the bands (along with Rush) that benefited most from the Rock Band craze of the late 00s/early 10s. Of course, if you dislike Metallica or heavy metal, the entire experience will be awful for you. But if you can appreciate their sound, the clarity of the performance in Through the Never is sonically impressive, and the band can still rock for a bunch of old dudes.
Unfortunately, concert films suffer from being repetitive and Through the Never is no different. While the set pieces within the concert footage and the narrative sections are a nice break, fully 1/3rd of the film is simply footage of the band singing or playing their instruments. Lars Ulrich, who has an unfortunate goblin-like face, is not necessarily something I want to see for an extended period of time on a giant 3D screen. The one member of the band who manages to have the most presence ends up being the band most recent acquisition. Robert Trujillo, whose addition to Metallica is chronicled in their documentary Some Kind of Monster, radiates rock star more than Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, or James Hetfield. His slithery movement, deep crouch while playing, and wall of hair are actually quite hypnotic.
By Nicholas Ware
Unfortunately, concert films suffer from being repetitive and Through the Never is no different. While the set pieces within the concert footage and the narrative sections are a nice break, fully 1/3rd of the film is simply footage of the band singing or playing their instruments. Lars Ulrich, who has an unfortunate goblin-like face, is not necessarily something I want to see for an extended period of time on a giant 3D screen. The one member of the band who manages to have the most presence ends up being the band most recent acquisition. Robert Trujillo, whose addition to Metallica is chronicled in their documentary Some Kind of Monster, radiates rock star more than Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, or James Hetfield. His slithery movement, deep crouch while playing, and wall of hair are actually quite hypnotic.
If you're a fan of Metallica, Through the Never is a no-brainer; you will get to hear some of their greatest songs played well, see their stage show from a unique perspective, and do it all without the high price tag and sweaty crowd heat of a live show. If you're not a fan, Through the Never's more cinematic choice, unfortunately, don't give enough of an incentive to make the film a destination for your entertainment dollar. The bare-bones journey-and-danger narrative plays out largely as expected with minimal dialogue and appropriately "metal" imagery, but there are no twists or turns so astounding that you can't wait for a smaller screen or simply listen to the soundtrack. The decision to go Through the Never is a strong maybe.
Metallica Through the Never opens today at Regal Waterford Lakes, Regal Pointe Orlando, AMC Altamonte, and AMC Universal Cineplex exclusively in IMAX 3D. Rated R for some violent content and language. Run time 1 hour 34 minutes.