The Compleat Al

Video
1985
TV-PG
1h 42m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Fact and fiction are mingled in this mockumentary about the career of music parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic. In retelling his life story, the film includes several of his music videos, includin... Read allFact and fiction are mingled in this mockumentary about the career of music parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic. In retelling his life story, the film includes several of his music videos, including "Ricky" and "Eat It."Fact and fiction are mingled in this mockumentary about the career of music parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic. In retelling his life story, the film includes several of his music videos, including "Ricky" and "Eat It."

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

511

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos

User reviews8

7.5511

Featured reviews

justinc79

Funny!

This is a great movie for all Weird Al fans! Some of the funniest parts happen when Al is asking Michael Jackson for permission to do "Eat it." It also has videos to "I Love Rocky Road", "One More Minute" and "Dare To Be Stupid."

313Funbags

Disappointing

This movie is basically just all his videos and some stuff he did on MTV with short, mildly funny skits in between. I have been trying to like Al for my entire life and I never knew why I just really didn't care about him. Now I realize it's because he's not very funny.

10Otis-9

I'll never forget

I will never forget when I saw this title in the video store way back when. I was always a big Weird Al fan and when I saw this video I rented and watched it. I was too young to appreciate all of Al's subtle humor and satire at the time but I remember it much later when I was old enough to understand what I was watching. If you are an "Al" fan, especially of his earlier work, you will thoroughly enjoy this film. It is done in the MTV-esque "Rockumentary" style and tells a true (but sometimes exaggerated) tale of how Al got to be where he was in 1985. You will love it if you like his brand of humor and, more importantly, his music.

7AlexRem

No one in the world has seen this movie

But it is kinda hilarious, at least if you grew up on Weird Al, like I did. It's a mockumentary about his life and career, beginning with superstardom and going back to trace the origins. It's uneven in places, but some of the segments are still very funny, particularly when he goes to Japan. Although it's not quite as emotionally textured as Lost in Translation, and he doesn't find love however fleeting, he does capture in a bottle the absolutely bizarre cultural melange that is Tokyo street life.

Perhaps Weird Al isn't recognized as the insightful cultural commentator that he is; perhaps a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. Still, this is a funny movie.

10aanusze1

Al at his classic best.

This is a bizzare look at Al's "life", back when he still a hyper 20-something. The (real) home videos of Al as a kid are great, and the commentary from his (real life) parents gives a nice glimpse of just how Weird Al wound up as screwed up as he is. This video is a must own for any devoted Al-coholic.

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
A book version of this video was published, titled "The Authorized Al". It followed the script for the most part, but included many extra stills that were either cut from the video, or only glimpsed briefly (e.g. the "Burgeropolis" architectural concept). It also had an appendix with the lyrics of every song on Al's three albums (at that time).

Quotes
Narrator: Weird Al: The man, the myth, the legend. Where will he go from here? What new worlds will he conquer? Who does he think he is? Will he continue to capture the hearts of millions? or will he fade into oblivion like some insignificant pest? How should I know?

Crazy credits
The usual warning about not copying the video tape you're watching appears, but then takes a turn for the humorous:

But if you do insist on copying this program, please be aware that the patented "copy-stop" R system developed by the National Association of Television Research Engineers will cause severe damage to your video-cassette recording device, accompanied by a bright blue-gray flash and strong acrid odor, which may in turn affect nearby houseplants and cause discoloration of fine upholstery. In addition, you may experience headaches, drowsiness, nausea, severe loss of memory, high blood pressure, nosebleeds, and the heartbreak of psoriasis. Household pets may develop similar symptoms including extreme personality disorders and occasional spontaneous combustion.

We're not kidding about this. Unlawful duplication of this program may result in local civil unrest, meteorological disturbances, and volcanic eruptions, causing the earth to fall out of its planetary orbit and plunge directly into the sun. The producers of this program assume no liability for any of the consequences resulting from your stupid, unthinking, greedy and careless attempt to deprive them of income. Thank you.

Connections
Edited into 'Weird Al' Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection (2003)

Soundtracks
Ricky
Written by Mike Chapman (uncredited), Nicky Chinn (uncredited) and 'Weird Al' Yankovic (uncredited)
Performed by 'Weird Al' Yankovic
From the 1983 self-titled album