Metallica: Some Kind of Monster. feat: Metallica, Bob Rock

This is possibly the greatest rock documentary ever made. For 20 years, Metallica has been, as ex-guitarist Dave Mustaine so drunkenly put it, shoving "metal up your ass!" The movie's title becomes a theme: The band itself has become some kind of monster. Babes, boozing, and brawling, the band, led by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, have left a path of destruction across the rock industry and the concert going public.
And here's where the movie gets fun:
What happens when it all gets old? This movie is, literally, a rock n' roll mid-life crisis. Originally planned as a "making of the album" documentary, the film chronicles Metallica getting caught in the train wreck of the past two decades. Jason Newstead has left the band, citing creative differences, ego battles, and burnout. They've brought on a therapist to help the band resolve their issues and move forward. Longtime producer Bob Rock has picked up the bass duties as the band packs up and moves into The Presidio, an old army base near San Francisco.
The setting is apropos, because the band is about to go to war. Lars and James are at each other's throats. The music is feeling stale. And it becomes painfully clear, with each passing scene, that something is boiling beneath the surface of James Hetfield, threatening to destroy him. James and the band both reach their breaking point at the same time, and he disappears into rehab for alcohol and "other issues" for six months. The band makes a momentous and fortunate decision: they keep the cameras rolling. What follows is an amazing story of a legendary band returning from the brink. From pounding out the hits to confronting their therapist (who is slowly forcing his way into the band's lives as a permanent fixture), to taking time out for fan appreciation, and finally, to getting James back on track, they just don't stop. When new bassist Robert Trujillo is finally selected to join the band, his energy is infectious, and the Metallica turns the corner. His presence breathes fire into the band, and you can feel the monster come back to life. The finish of the movie is nothing short of triumphant, and even if you're not a Metallica fan, you'll be cheering and pounding out the bass lines with your feet. (The grey-haired old man next to me was rockin' hard during the finale).
What I loved the most about the movie was the insight into the humanness of the band. They're all family men now, raising children and growing as musicians. Kirk Hammett is probably the most enjoyable to watch in the movie, as he becomes the child trapped between the warring parents (James and Lars). I left with a deeper appreciation of what drives Lars. His battles with Napster left rock fans thinking of him as an ego-driven, money-hungry sellout. The movie fills in the blanks, allowing the audience to understand what drives him, to see his passion for art.
This movie has my vote for documentary of the year. Only Metallica would have the balls to let someone look this closely at their lives, and we're all better off because of it.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars! ROCK!