Metal Lords
2022
**
Director: Peter Sollett
Cast: Jaeden Martell, Isis Hainsworth, Adrian Greensmith, Brett Gelman, Noah Urrea, Joe Manganiello, Sufe Bradshaw, Katie O'Grady, Michelle Mao
Hunter is a metalhead who convinces Kevin to play drums in his band. Now all they need is a bassist so they can take part in the school's Battle of the Bands. This comedic coming-of-age tale has a promising premise, but the story is formulaic, the characters are charmless, and the jokes are not landing. Hunter, the biggest asshole in the movie, has a long list of rules about what constitutes as being metal. To me it is about being real and authentic, and not about conforming to a set of rules, and the same should apply to the movie itself. It's all set in high school, so it must feature the obligatory bullies. However, these scenes are completely pointless because the victim is the biggest bully. The highlight of the movie is a scene which features cameos from real-life heavy metal musicians, although it makes no sense that they appear to Kevin, who wouldn't recognise them.
