The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988) YTS

Reviewed by Wuchak 8 / 10

Amusing documentary on the mid/late 80’s metal scene

***Amusing documentary on the mid/late 80’s metal scene*** Released in 1988, “The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years” by Penelope Spheeris is a documentary covering the 80’s metal scene. The film includes footage & interviews of popular acts (KISS, Ozzy, Aerosmith, Megadeth, Alice Cooper, Poison), moderately successful bands (Faster Pussycat) and up-and-not-coming artists (London, Odin, Seduce). There are obviously staged parts, like the orange juice spill, Paul Stanley in a bed with three lingerie-clad women and the drunken pool sequence with Chris Holmes & his mother. These portions were included to amuse, but they're also informative, as far as the commentaries from the actual musicians involved in the 80's metal movement go. The rest of the movie is footage of live interviews and concerts, mostly at clubs with emphasis on bands that frequented the L.A. strip. There's nothing fake about these parts. The film covers the 87/88 metal scene and the people thereof, their ideas, attitudes, lifestyles and fronts. It’s interesting going back in time to see iconic musicians when they were younger, like Lemmy, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Dave Mustaine and Alice Cooper. It’s also nice to hear some quality obscure acts, like Detroit’s Seduce who were surprisingly heavy and aggressive when, by their looks and name, I was expecting conventional 80’s glam metal. Even Odin and London show that they were formidable and deserved greater success. The film runs 1 hour, 33 minutes. GRADE: A-

Reviewed by Michael_Elliott

Great

Decline of Western Civilization Part 2, The (1988) **** (out of 4) I had seen the Aerosmith and Alice Cooper clips of this documentary via a bootleg but never got around to watching the film until IFC showed it the other night and I'm certainly disappointed that I waited so long because Penelope Spheeris' film is one of the best out there of its type and ranks highly among the best documentaries to be made about rock 'n roll. Members of Aerosmith, Kiss, Poison, Alice Cooper himself, Ozzy and various no-name bands are interviewed. The legends interviewed here give the same old stories, which are still interesting but the great thing comes from all the interviews with those broke souls trying to make a name for themselves. Spheeris asks all the right questions from what happens if they don't make it and even asks some groupies if they're worried about AIDS. The film goes into great detail about various subjects and there's such a wide range of musicians that the film never gets boring. I'd love to see an update on the people involved here and see what their feelings are since none of them (to my knowledge) became famous. Also, in case anyone is interesting, during the Alice Cooper interview he's asked about people ripping him off and he mentions he'd like to hang one group but they bleed out the group. That group mentioned is W.A.S.P.

Reviewed by nickenchuggets 8 / 10

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

1988

Action / Documentary / Music

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

1988

Action / Documentary / Music

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Movie Reviews

Amusing documentary on the mid/late 80’s metal scene

Great

"If your parents don't like it, it's good"

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