Creation Stories

"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.

I was hoping for so much from this film with a good lineup of actors and a decent screen writer.

Best way to describe the film.....it was alright.

With the vast amount of songs to choose from that era even the soundtrack wasn't great.

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.

If you empty the bins of the editing suites of every music film for the last twenty years, put it in a blender with Irvine Welsh's last few terrible books, this is what you end up with. It's a terrible shame as theres a legitimate story to be told and some very good actors wasted (and Nick Moran should definitely stick to acting - his Malcolm McLaren impression is superb but truly he couldn't direct traffic). This film is a mess: a horrible cliche soup of strung-together anecdotes and derivative snapshots with no structure or shape. Does for Creation Records what 'Cats' did for cats.

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.