Heavy Trip

"Heavy Trip" joins my list of movies about a specific genre of music that everyone can enjoy even if you don't know, or even hate, the genre. Other films include the Japanese "Swing Girls" (swing & old school jazz), the American indie "Patti Cake$" (rap) and of course the ones that started them all, the Christopher Guest music mockumentaries "A Mighty Wind" (folk) and "This Is Spinal Tap" (hard rock). How do these films work so well? It's because foremost they introduce funny, quirky, loveable losers whom we can all associate with, regardless of musical taste, cultural origin or language. When done right, the story of the artistic underdog is universal.

Here we are introduced to 4 of the loveable-est, loser-est underdogs who ever cranked their amps to 11. The main character "Turo" is a long-haired metalhead who can't seem to get on stage without vomiting like a possessed demon girl. He is joined by his bandmates "Pasi" a freakish bass genius who's 1 pocket protector short of Einstein, "Jynkky" a drummer who's so hardcore he keeps the beat even during heart failure, and the guitarist "Lotvonen" who draws inspiration from the sounds of reindeer carcasses being ground into hamburger.

(Quick note about reindeer mutilations and the sort. All animal action is hilariously fake, including one wrestling scene with a crazed wolverine that is quite obviously a stuffed prop. No animals were sacrificed, nor actual reindeer blood spilled, in the making of this film. I hope.)

What follows is a cute, quirky, quasi-surreal unfolding of events surrounding the efforts of their band "IMPALED REKTUM" to make it to a metal festival in Norway, including but not limited to, attacks by rival lounge singers, questionable cops, a few rocket launchers, sword wielding Vikings, and perhaps even death itself. Do they ever make it to the show? Tune in and find out.

Generally speaking, when pop culture tries to portray metal culture, or metalheads, or even just extreme music, it ends up being, at best, something vague that gestures in our direction. But this full length professional film did metal right. I was surprised too.

It's not easy for non English language films to acquire cult status, but the Finnish Hevi Reissu ("A Heavy Metal Trip") has as good a chance as any. A cross between "The Full Monty" and "This is Spinal Tap", the themes are about facing your demons, whether asking out the village's prettiest girl or daring to perform in public. Well worn clothes these, but especially the film's first half hour has a enough good gags to bring the house down with laughter.

No serious knowledge of heavy or any other kind of metal is needed to enjoy the inspired lunacy. Even if the jokes slow a bit in the second half, there's still enough wit to carry the film through its increasingly fantastical plot and logical conclusion. Criticism about the ending doesn't resound with this viewer: metal music is about fantasy and myth, well injected here.

Released initially in only a few Finnish cinemas as a late night romp, this film is a joy waiting to be discovered worldwide. Let's hope the subtitlists have talent.

It's the first time in my life that i am writing a rewiew and i feel deep inside of me that i had to do it.

to tell you the truth i didn't even knew the existence of that film..i don't even remember where i found it but it was worthing my time.a very nice movie funny easy to watch and to enjoy.i recommend highly to all metal heads and if you are not familiar with metal it doesnt matter you will love it too.

i have to say that as a Greek i loved the Finnish language,i cant imagine that movie in English.

I am a (Finnish) metal head so I had some expectations when I bought the ticket. At least the subject was close to my heart. Finnish comedies in general are broadly cringe-worthy and I have not paid for a movie ticket to see a Finnish flick maybe ever before.

It has many funny moments for a regular Joe, but definitely you are going to be able to pick up much more from this if you are familiar with the metal scene. Subtle references to Finnish artists here and there put constantly a smile on my face.

There are a few interesting characters, and one absolutely hilarious one.

Some scenes were completely not funny and unnecessary for the story to be interesting. Still the good scenes and lovable characters were capable of making me laugh numerous times, so the overall feeling afterwards was very good.