7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Documentary about the Canadian metal band Anvil. At 14, Toronto school friends Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner made a pact to rock together forever. Their band, Anvil, went on to become the "demigods of Canadian metal," releasing one of the heaviest albums in metal history, 1982's "Metal on Metal." It went on to sell millions of records, but Anvil's career didn't flourish afterwards. Instead, they went straight to obscurity.
Starring: Steve 'Lips' Kudlow, Robb Reiner, Scott Ian, Lemmy, Malcolm DomeMusic | 100% |
Documentary | 48% |
Biography | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo & PowerDVD corrected and verified. There is no "French" or "Spanish" on the disc (back cover specs are incorrect. These are the only 2 set-up options (English 5.1 and English Stereo 2.0) on the disc. Back cover specs are incorrect.
English SDH, French
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
It’s easy to describe “Anvil!” as a real-world version of “This is Spinal Tap,” but the comparison is incredibly accurate. The comedy of “Spinal Tap” certainly didn’t come out of thin air, leading me to believe that the antics of the Canadian metal band Anvil must’ve played some part in the 1984 comedy classic. While suitably absurd and prone to spotlighting rock cliché humiliation, “Anvil” is a far more loving film than it seems at first glance. Taking a second look at the career of a band who was always this close to the success of their brothers in the headbangin’ business, “Anvil!” is a stupendous document of perseverance and crushing music industry realities, brought to life by two men who somehow managed to keep the devil horns raised through decades of disappointment.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Anvil" is billed as "newly remastered in 2022 with enhanced color." Already a fairly low- tech documentary, "Anvil" receives a respectful upconversion and refreshing of hues, with the most noticeable boosting emerging during domestic exploration, bringing out decent primaries on clothing and winterscapes. Resolution wavers with the age of interviews and events (clipping is common, but this appears to be an inherent issue), but the majority of the viewing experience delivers adequate detail with expected softness. Delineation is acceptable. Source is in decent condition.
A "remixed" 5.1 DTS-HD MA track offers defined interview audio, preserving the scattered thoughts of band members, and the more emotional memories from loved ones. Bar and arena conversations are also intact. Music offers some power, filling the surrounds with Anvil tunes, which retain crisp instrumentation and a heavier low-end. Atmospherics are milder but appreciable.
A live performance of Anvil's "School Love" is listed on the packaging, but doesn't appear to be included in the extras.
Disc 1
The concept of indefatigable faith in talent and the patience to ride out the bucking yin/yang of life elevates "Anvil!" over many similar stories of pop culture banishment. Gervasi wipes away the obvious punchlines to present Kudlow and Reiner as sensitive, generous, and terrified men nervously facing the rest of their life without the proper career explosion they deserve, and that potent tension turns "Anvil!" from a cheap laugh to a documentary that's thrillingly heartfelt and extracts a genuine reflection on life that's downright poetic.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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Featuring Janis Joplin / The Band / Grateful Dead / Buddy Guy
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