Movie Review: Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny (2006)
Critical Critic: General Disdain | Published on: December 5, 2006 |
Filed under: Musical, Comedy
Directed By: Liam Lynch
MPAA Rating: R
Starring: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Tim Robbins, Ben Stiller
IMDB Link: Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny
Movie Trailer:
Rock operas. What are they and what do they want from us? First part of the question is easy - they’re albums or movies told in the form of song - although an album is generally considered a concept work (at least that is my interpretation of them). I’m not entirely sure what the answer to the second part of the question is. A movie like Tommy inspires, a movie like The Wall tends to cause one to challenge their beliefs, a movie like Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny (I’m stretching the rock opera meaning a bit) just makes a person wonder. Wonder aloud ‘What the fuck was I thinking when I decided to see this?‘ And yes, I wondered it very loudly.
Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny is simply one of those movies that absolutely did not have to be made. What the fuck was Jack Black thinking? Was it something along the lines of ‘I’m bored, why not throw some shit on the wall about my worthless side project band and see if anyone will actually pay for it?’ Surely, he sure as hell doesn’t need the spending cash (I do, however - donations welcomed). I’m even more confused as to why some douchebag producer would finance a movie like this - if this movie makes any money I’ll learn to fart the Bohemian Rhapsody.
Now while the entire movie is a farce, a few bright moments can be claimed from the refuse. Although, in my eyes, Tenacious D is not particularly talented, I was impressed with the rapport between Jack Black and Kyle Gass. These two ugly, fat guys play well off of one another. There are also some great cameos in Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny. Ben Stiller as the clerk in the guitar store, once again, proves he is damned near a comic genius. The best cameo however comes from an unexpected source - Tim Robbins! He plays this whacked out, crippled, freak who hilariously tries to get the same cursed guitar pick as our quasi-heroes. Some classic dialogue in his scenes.
Those few positives aren’t nearly enough to keep this shit boat afloat though. Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny simply doesn’t offer nearly enough to:
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a) Interest movie goers to flock to the theaters
b) Keep anyone’s interest if they do go
c) Stop anyone who lost interest to try and get their money back
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About: General Disdain I love long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners and I'm a sucker for women named Helga. What can I say -- I live for the finer things in life! |
AnAngryPerson's other personality posted a response on: December 12, 2007 | Reply
I’m into all sorts of music including Tenacious D, and from the name of the movie I was expecting a lot from it but I have to admit I was greatly disappointed, the first part of the movie was good but it just let up from there, as soon as we find out that kyle isn’t who he says he is the roles reverse. This has to be the first time I’ve noticed something like this so I’m pretty proud of my self for it. Any way getting away from my ego trip when kyle admits who he really is, the roles reserves and instead of kyle being the mentor and domineering(most knowledgeable) one it seems Jack Black takes the main stage and starts completely out of character that we get to know. Start preaching to kyle and kyle seems to take a back seat of the movie from that moment onwards, besides that the story sprints, but slows down, out of breath, like mentioned the only great thing has to be Tim Robbins as the crazy weirdo from the bar.
Luke posted a response on: April 9, 2008 | Reply
Parden my french buddy but you can kiss my ass. Only if you understood the dream of becoming a rockstar, would you comprehend this “masterpiece”. It may be on the goofy side, but inbetween that is the message that is clear and simple. Its not just some pick that theyre trying to find, its the fuckin power of rock and that special fervor for the rock. Wipe the shit out of your eyes and learn to appretiate the modern day “This is Spinal Tap”
General Disdain posted a response on: April 18, 2008 | Reply
Wiping. Didn’t seem to help. I can see clearly now and the movie still sucks.