Anvil! The Story of Anvil (2008)

The film is a supremely entertaining and touching tribute that matches the laughs of This Is Spinal Tap while portraying the band's members as inspirational figures pursuing their rock dreams. It highlights the absurdities of their European tour without ever becoming scornful of their antics or in-fighting.

The documentary tracing the Canadian band’s resolute determination isn’t really a rock ‘n’ roll comedy but an alternatively moving and hilarious love story—a tale of two people hopelessly devoted to playing heavy metal music. Their dedication and integrity is without parallel.

Murray finds the film both hilarious and moving, arguing that the band’s niceness and brotherly bond explain why they never broke big yet also why their story resonates. He highlights how the documentary shows what it truly takes to keep playing dingy clubs for decades.

Sacha Gervasi’s documentary digs deep into the attempted resurrection of Anvil to emerge with a saga of devotion and perseverance that’s both touching and absurd. By the end we mind very much whether the fortunes of Anvil are set to soar or doomed to lurch once more.

The review describes the film as one of the most engaging and big-hearted music movies, an emotional journey about following an impossible dream that mixes laughter and sympathy for the band's disappointments.

The critic praises Gervasi’s compassionate, warts-and-all portrait of the band’s perseverance through economic and personal hardships. He singles out the lifelong friendship and unyielding passion of Lips and Reiner as what makes the film stirring rather than merely comic.

The critic calls it a splendid documentary about the real heavy metal band Anvil and their long struggle for success despite obscurity and day jobs. It highlights the heroic persistence and self-belief of the two main band members without patronising them.

The critic calls it a real-life Spinal Tap that rises above typical rockumentary fare to celebrate persistence and the underside of the rock dream, with honest and often hilarious access to the band's setbacks and hopes.

The piece portrays the band as heroic fools whose persistence the director celebrates without patronising, admiring their guts and hoping for their belated recognition while noting the film's effective tribute to them.

The review notes the apt 'real-life Spinal Tap' label and moments of unintentional hilarity, while highlighting its surprising role as a heartbreaking study of grown men clinging to childhood aspirations.

The film affectionately chronicles a Canadian heavy metal band that never quite made it, with a dramatic heart in the long, rough partnership between the two leads. Their story of perseverance and a last lunge for glory emerges as both chronicle and possible deadpan mockery.

The critic praises the documentary's empathetic portrayal of the band's enduring friendship and passion despite hardships, noting it surpasses Spinal Tap comparisons with genuine emotion and humor.

The film is one of the most inspiring and uplifting documentaries in recent memory, telling the story of two talented rockers who refuse to be defeated by failure. It singles out the brotherhood and perseverance of the band's founding members as they rage against the dying of the light while chasing their dreams.

The critic finds the documentary endearing and impossible not to be charmed by, praising the director's genuine affection for the subjects that keeps the humor from becoming ridicule. The band members' optimism and friendship stand out amid tales of mishaps and rejection.

Director Sacha Gervasi plays the Spinal Tap-like elements deliberately and well, resulting in a moving and very real film about the band's backstory and current struggles. It singles out the tireless devotion and deep friendship of Lips and Robb as the secret weapon that draws viewers in with silliness but hooks them with sweetness.

The review highlights the film's blend of humor and melancholy in depicting the aging metal band's quest for stardom, praising its balanced tone and portrayal of deep friendship.

The review calls the film hilarious, pathetic, and moving, highlighting its portrayal of perseverance, friendship, and resilience as a universal underdog story that provokes emotional responses. It notes the band's tenacity in the face of obstacles as a standout element.