MONSTERMAN (Monsterimies) (2014) - ♦♦♦

Directed by - Antti Haase

"MONSTERMAN is a film about MR.LORDI, a heavy metal composer and singer, former winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. We follow him as he is at an all time low, his popularity rapidly fading, his struggles with his integrity and his consciousness at the fact that his TV appearences have shattered his relationship with his former die hard fans. Nevertheless, he is not giving up and plans a return to the scene that will reconcile him with his old audience. 

ANTTI HAASE's documentary is made interesting by its study of its central subject, particularly in his revealing of the story of the origins of his stage persona. Respectful of the aura of the band, who famously perform dressed like mosters, the director never shoots MR.LORDI's face, or the ones of his other band members, but still allows an insight in the less glamorous and sometime painful behind the scenes events that clearly reveal things are not as good as they seem behind the heavy stage make up. 

In the end, however, the film is a rather tame examination of artistic integrity. Thankfully, the film is not too keen in being restricted to the heavy metal fan audience, but within its humanising perspective, it never feels like it has enough potential and charisma to stand out."

Documentary, Finland/Norway/Sweden/USA