Creation Stories

I've watched my fair share of music biopics, and this was enjoyable enough once I'd tuned into it. It is however rather patchy - in every respect. Perhaps that's a deliberate choice.

It's also quite cheap, leaning heavily on contemporary footage. Due to this and merely average writing, it struggles to find its own aesthetic and develop its full potential. It's hard to believe this is a 2020s movie; it feels older.

Why does any of this matter? Because it feels like a story that ought to be told properly. But this ^^^ might be it. Even Elvis only got one biopic. Though Joy Division got two - just saying.

Greetings again from the darkness. As a kid in Glasgow, Alan McGee's dream was the same as many others: he wanted to make it big in the music business. A TV appearance by The Sex Pistols lit the proverbial fire, and Alan became obsessed. However, as he states in the film, "I didn't have any talent, which limited my opportunities." What he did possess was ambition and commitment. The last few years have produced an abundance of music biopics, yet this one isn't based on a great singer, songwriter, or guitar player. Instead, director Nick Moran and co-writers Dean Cavanagh and Irvine Welsh have adapted Alan McGee's autobiography, "The Creation Records Story: Riots, Raves and Running a Label."

The film begins with the tagline, "most of this happened", and of course, we understand that when rock 'n roll is involved, stories get twisted and personalities are exaggerated. Leo Flanagan and Ewen Bremner star as the younger and older Alan McGee, respectively. Flanagan gets the backstory which sets the conflict with McGee's father, while Bremner, as you have likely guessed, gets the flamboyant and wild events of the later years.

There is a zaniness to the film in that, at times, it has frantic pacing, quick cuts, and psychedelic effects. Suki Waterhouse plays a journalist interviewing McGee on his success, and this provides a touch of structure to a story that otherwise bounces between timelines and business developments so haphazardly that we can't possibly keep up. McGee and Creation Records were key players in the surge of independent and alternative music in the late 1980's and early 1990's. The label featured such bands as Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and of course, Oasis.

Bremner is high-octane as the fast-talking McGee, and we believe that he believes he's running "the coolest record label on the planet." We are along for the ride in his never-ending quest to find the next band that is "going to be bigger than U2." He's a maverick who succumbs to the lifestyle by over-indulging in drugs, and having no obvious business savvy in maintaining what he builds. The Oasis story is particularly well told, and features Jason Flemyng at the King Tut gig. Other supporting work is provided by an unusually high-strung Jason Isaacs, Paul Kaye, and Steven Berkoff in the film's oddest role. He plays a McGee hallucination of famed occultist and writer Aleister Crowley.

Danny Boyle is an Executive Producer on the film and director Nick Moran has spent much of his career acting, including a role in LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS (1998). This combination (as well as a few connected actors) is likely a key to the early Guy Ritchie vibes we sometimes experience. Set Decorator Clare Keyte deserves a shoutout for exceptional work in various time periods and settings. Kudos to Bremner for his all-in approach, but the film works best as one that offers some nostalgia and historical value of a time when the music culture shifted in the UK.

The film will stream on AMC+ and be available On Demand and digital on February 25, 2022.

Two reviews for the price of one.

Creation Stories (2021) & 24 Hour Party People (2002) why have I grouped these reviews together quite simply they both deal with the running of two record companies Creation & Factory and their larger then life managers Alan McGee (Creation) and Tony Wilson (Factory) but then you knew that anyway.

McGee is played by Ewan Bremner (imagine Spud from Trainspotting on speed, you get the idea) and Tony Wilson played by Steve Coogan (well its's Tony Wilson with a dose of Richard Madeley for extra cringe factor) various musicians appear throughout look out for them, a special mention to McGee's dad, played by Richard Jobson who is played with menace and a constant threat which is terrifying, although no ones dad was ever that muscular or as hard as nails.

The format is very similar, fast paced with lots of drugs helping to manage the various talents on the labels. In Creation its, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream and yawn Oasis.

Factory Joy Division & Happy Monday amongst many.

Musically you get lots of snippets of music from all of the above named bands, some of which are excellent Joy Division for example are great and makes you wanna reach out for their CDs.

Are the films any good? Both great and enjoyable with a great pace, laced with humour and what ever drug they were taking at the time.

Creation Stories I'd give a ecstasy fuelled 7/10 losing a point for the Scottish dialect which at time I couldn't fathom at all (sadly no subtitles which it clearly needs) 24 Hour Party People 8/10 for having some of the best bands ever.

Watch them both to see how exciting music and watching bands can be.

Peehaps the saddest shot of Creation Stories is Mcgee looking through the window of a stack it high supermarket at the now defunkt record shop, that and all the new Labour junk and Jimmy Saville.

"I've been a fan of Oasis for a long time, and their music, so when the trailer came out, I wanted to see this semi-autobiographical film about Oasis manager Alan McGee. Not surprisingly, the beginning of the film portrays the rebellious behavior of an ordinary family and different experiences when traveling with friends to different places. Regardless of how McGee affirmed his bands, there are two scenes that truly showcase his success. First, he was always the one finding stages for the band in front of others. Second, since he was a rebel, he stuck to his own beliefs and style. Of course, the final quote, 'Don't try to change the river's course; learn to build bridges and communicate so that others understand,' really teaches us how to change our prejudices.

Creation Stories is by no means a classic but it really is a fun movie movie that has rewatchable qualities. It's a bit messy and fast paced, hard to form any emotional attachments, but its definitely not a bad film. The music is great, it is visually great, but it seems like an hour long trailer for the movie.