DVD Review

American Hardcore (2007)

EW's GRADE
C+

Details Release Date: Feb 20, 2007; DVD Release Date: Feb 20, 2007; Movie Rated: R; Genre: Documentary; Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics

As a retrospective on the hardcore music scene of the early '80s, American Hardcore is — perhaps appropriately — sloppy. Other than a seemingly universal loathing of Ronald Reagan, the film fails to present any real influences responsible for the movement, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why some groups are covered (basically, any band to ever come out of Boston) and some aren't (really, no Dead Kennedys or Fear?).
EXTRAS The bonus concert clips of unheralded maniacs Void and onetime best live band on the planet Bad Brains almost makes up for all the shortcomings.

Originally posted Feb 16, 2007 Published in issue #922 Feb 23, 2007 Order article reprints
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