"I’m waiting in my cold cell when the bell begins to chime
Reflecting on my past life and it doesnt have much time
Cos at 5 o’clock they take me to the gallows pole
The sands of time for me are running low"
Followed by Drums! Bass! Guitar solos!! And that’s it - All it took me to become a Maiden Fan! Of a Song that’s titled as the review!
The world went crazy and became instant fans of "Iron Maiden" when they heard "Number of the beast" that made the number "666" or "Six hundred and Sixty Six", the no. of the Beast, the most identifiable symbol/verse of the band.
For those who are not familiar with the band, I will use the opening line of the Documentary -"They are one of the most successful bands in Music History selling more than 70 million records without any support of Radio and Television"
Iron Maiden’s (IM) success as a band is courtesy some great music that will always be part of Metal History and not cus of some oh-he’s-so-cute boy bands impressions! Their music delivered and created a family across the globe surpassing languages and boundaries. And mind you....This without the help of the Camera, Radio and Even parents discouraging their music!!!
Surely when someone says -"Bring your Daughter....to the Slaughter" which is a song by IM, You would have everyone wondering "What the hell are these guys singing???" . Oh yes they did face the wrath of the Church Goers who said that their music Promoted Satan - Well if Beatles were not as popular as Jesus, then at least Maiden was second to the devil. :) -Hope I’m not shot dead :)
So Please fasten your Seatbelts as the Flight is ready to take off - Through a Journey, through a Phenomenon called "Iron Maiden", a Band that’s a culture! It’s a country on it’s own of fanatics and loyalists that have always been true to the band and have passed on the rage to their immediate generation. And this documentary captures it all ...... The making of music, of Fans going Crazy and their accounts of why they love IM, of people who swore by the band, of the culture and the cult called "Iron Maiden"
The Documentary is about their ambitious 2008 World Tour in which IM travel across the globe in their custom made plane called "Ed Force One" or "Flight 666" and the pilot in fact is the Lead Vocalist of the band - Bruce Dickinson. Whose basically a live wire on stage and would never pass off as a Airline Pilot.
The Documentary and the intention/nature of it is to capture the "behind the scenes" look into all that happens when the band tours which begins in Mumbai and the moves across several countries and across continents. About Their interests off the concerts/tour, about the individuals and their personalities and how each contributes to the band and it’s personality and to capture in essence the rage or hype of the band.
Hence there is not much for one to review or criticise as a standalone documentary as it just an amazing experience where you’re among the passengers on this flight and also part of the crowd that enjoying those infectious concert sequences across the globe especially the one in Latin America! They are nothing but an Adrenaline Rush that will leave you asking for more..
You also get to see the lighter side of the band thanks to Nicko McBrain and know more about the great Guitar Duo, Adrian Smith and Dave Murray who in effect along with Steve Harris(Bassist) define the essence of the band and it’s Music with some tidbits of Janick Gers.
Edit - The only problem I thought was the Members clearly look old!! And somehow their energy in music doesn’t translate very well in their costumes and body language! :(
In A Nutshell
If you’re an IM fan - Well you will love it as you savour the journey or the experience rather. So that’s why the 5 stars as there’s nothing much you could ask for. The film suffices as a journey of the great band and you would be thrilled watching the infectious concerts as if you’re part of the crowd!!!
If you’re not one, you will still enjoy the film as it introduces you to the rage and those concerts across the globe and might just become a fan!
Hail Satan! For he Rules.....
Amen!
PS- Don’t bother about the Movie Genre! :)