★ 1 / 10
As actors, even playing fictionalized versions of themselves
tmdb28039023
As actors, even playing fictionalized versions of themselves, the Foo Fighters are terrific musicians. Fans of the band needn't worry though; based on the…
As actors, even playing fictionalized versions of themselves, the Foo Fighters are terrific musicians. Fans of the band needn't worry though; based on the evidence of Studio 666, the Foos won’t be quitting their day jobs any time soon. This movie appears to be shooting for the same cult classic status as Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park, but I think it’s more likely to inspire suicide cults than anything else – I know I would gouge my eyes out and then bleed to death rather than watch it again.
It’s a shame, because Studio 666 had the chance and the potential to be more This is Spinal Tap than Phantom of the Park. Spinal Tap is a comedy about a rock band on the road; Studio 666 could have given us the making-of-the-album version of the story – and, like the proverbial broken clock, it's spot-on a couple of times (the moment where Dave Grohl “finds” a new, previously unknown musical note which he calls “L sharp” is in a way reminiscent of Nigel Tufnel’s “D minor is really the saddest of all keys”), but these occasions are so few and far between as to make the experience even more frustrating.
It is possible to make an intelligent, funny movie about the recording process; 2014’s Frank is a great example, especially because that film, as eclectic as it is, doesn’t feel the need to experiment beyond its area of expertise. Contrastingly, Studio 666 has a streak of cheesy horror running through it that is as out of place in a Foo Fighters movie as a song from Grohl’s heavy metal side project Probot would be in a Foo Fighters album. I mean, we like the Foos the same way we like Eminem – but then, we wouldn’t like Eminem as much if 8 Mile had been a supernatural slasher instead of a semi-autobiographical drama.
I’m not saying, though, that Studio 666 should have been a drama, only that it would have behooved it, even as a comedy, to be more veridical. Grohl’s rockstar outbursts would be a lot funnier if they stemmed from his overzealous quest to make a perfect record, as opposed to his being possessed by an evil spirit or whatever; it’s almost as if he’s so afraid of damaging his good-guy image that he has to justify playing against it with a case of ‘the devil made me do it.’
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★ 6 / 10
Studio 666: It took me a while after the credits had rolled to decide if I liked it or not.
Platypuschow
Plot Legendary rock band Foo Fighters move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock and roll history to record their much anticipated 10th album. Once in…
Plot
Legendary rock band Foo Fighters move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock and roll history to record their much anticipated 10th album. Once in the house, Dave Grohl finds himself grappling with supernatural forces that threaten both the completion of the album and the lives of the band.
Cast
The Foo Fighters take the leading roles and are assisted by Jeff Garlin, Leslie "American Horror Story" Grossman, Jenna Ortega, Will Forte, John Carpenter and even features a hilarious cameo from Lionel Richie.
Verdict
I went in with almost no knowledge of the film beyond it being a horror comedy about the Foo Fighters and partially written by Grohl himself. This I find is the best way to be, I hadn't even seen the trailer yet.
The "Foo's" camp it up (More than I could have ever dreamed) in exactly that, a horror comedy with a fairly decent plot and some great deaths (Some of the best I've seen in a while). It was a lot gorier than I expected and plenty of the jokes hit the mark.
Other side of the coin? Plenty of the jokes don't, some of the cgi is really quite naff, the ending was a tired horror trope and the pacing is weird. Because of said pacing in fact the movie is oddly boring at times, like you're watching a Foo Fighters documentary then pow someone gets splattered and suddenly you're reminded this is a horror movie.
When the credits rolled I didn't venture my opinion to the other half as it hadn't formed, I was still a tad confused as to what I'd just watched. When it was bad it was dull, when it was good it was really quite entertaining.
It's an odd little film, perfectly watchable but I'd say if you're not a fan of the Foo Fighters it may not appeal.
Rants
Have Dave Grohl and Jack Black spent too much time together? I swear you could close your eyes and think Black was the lead of the film as their voices are so remarkably similar! And appearance? Is it just me or is Grohl turning into Tom Savini? Especially with a certain appearance change later in the film, I thought I was watching Dusk Till Dawn again.
Breakdown.
Some decent effects
Many jokes are fantastic
Awesome deaths and gore
A Foo Fighters wet dream
Some poor effects
Many jokes fall flat
Oddly boring due to the weird pacing.
Will Forte, funny as a dead baby joke.
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memyselfandiandyou - next time save it for your diary or ticky toks.