The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)
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80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(2,717 ratings)
Ozzy Osbourne, Gene Simmons, and Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Steven Tyler are among the Heavy Metal artists interviewed in The Decline of Western Civilization 2: The Metal Years. This follow-up to filmmaker Penelope Spheeris' classic 1981 "punk" documentary The Decline of Western Civilization is a bit… More Ozzy Osbourne, Gene Simmons, and Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Steven Tyler are among the Heavy Metal artists interviewed in The Decline of Western Civilization 2: The Metal Years. This follow-up to filmmaker Penelope Spheeris' classic 1981 "punk" documentary The Decline of Western Civilization is a bit more reflective and word-dominated than its predecessor, but no less entertaining. One striking aspect of the film is its before-and-after comparisons of the impact of MTV. Heavy Metal newcomers tend to overpraise the cable service, while the "oldsters" implicitly decry the mainstreaming-and in some cases, homogenizing--of their best work. Interestingly, Spheeris' own style has become more mainstream in the years since Decline of Western Civilization, thanks to experience gleaned on such dramatic films as Hollywood Vice Squad (1986) and Dudes (1987). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- R, 1 hr. 30 min.
- Directed By
- Penelope Spheeris
- Genres
- Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Special Interest
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1988 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
There's so little respect for the music that we never see or hear a number from beginning to end, and we rarely hear any of the musicians speak more than a few seconds at a time.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
For all the amusingly fatuous remarks heard here -- and Miss Spheeris has a great ear for these -- the overriding dimness of most of the fans and musicians is frightening.
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, Film4
Fascinating.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This is a well-made, observant documentary, with attitude to spare and plenty of justifiable laughs at the expense of its subjects.
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, Time Out
Rather like watching a car wreck on the opposite side of a motorway.
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