Tenacious D The Pick of Destiny (2006)
Directed by Liam Lynch
Written by Liam Lynch
Starring Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Ben Stiller, Paul F. Tompkins, Dave Grohl
Release Date November 22nd, 2006
Published November 21st, 2006
Jack Black has become a big star in recent years thanks to lead roles in School Of Rock, Shallow Hal and Nacho Libre. Before the lead acting roles came along however, Jack Black got his start performing at comedy club open mic nights with his partner Kyle Gass. Together Jack and Kyle were known as Tenacious D; a pair of metal head rockers with acoustic guitars imitating their favorite metal gods.
Tenacious D got a big break when they were given their own HBO TV show where sketches depicting their quest for fame and fortune as they perform their foul mouthed, hysterical, over the top metal tunes. Now Tenacious D is on the big screen and though the only difference between the TV show and the movie is a much larger budget, fans of Tenacious D will be more than satisfied with The Pick of Destiny.
Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny is essentially an origin story. Like great comic book heroes we are told the story of how Jack Black left behind his repressive father (Meatloaf), made his way to Los Angeles and met an exceptional street guitarist named Kyle Gass. At first; the arrogant Kyle is not interested in joining forces with J.B but eventually he does take him under his wing. And thus is born the greatest rock band in the world, Tenacious D.
As a power duo, rocking metal madness on acoustic guitars, JB and KG get their start performing at open mic shows in hopes of winning enough prize money to pay the rent. In order to become the greatest band in the world, and to solve a bout of writer's block, JB and KG make a pilgrimage to the Rock N Roll museum to obtain the Pick of Destiny. It is a guitar pick used by Eddie Van Halen, Angus Young and Pete Townsend.
Crafted from the broken tooth of Satan himself (Dave Grohl), the pick of destiny has the power to turn average rockers into legends.
That is a mere sketch of what passes as a plot in Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny. For the most part the movie, directed by Liam Lynch, is just an extended sketch that would be right at home on the HBO TV show. The film is made up of sketches, dream sequences and celebrity cameos. Ben Stiller, Tim Robbins and Amy Adams are just a few of the celebs who drop in. There is also John C. Reilly reprising his role as Sasquatch, the same role he played on the Tenacious D TV show. The film opens with a rollicking musical number that pits Meatloaf as Jack's overbearing father against Ronnie James Dio in a musical battle for JB's soul. Easy to figure who won that one.
I wish the film had a stronger narrative line. As a series of sketches and dream sequences, Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny is very funny. However, there are moments when the film meanders and gets lost waiting for the laugh. A tighter, more focused version of The Pick of Destiny could be the funniest movie of the year.
In an era when musicals are out of fashion, Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny is boldly a rock n roll musical. Jack and Kyle's unique brand of rock is a tribute to and satire of the heavy metal that both grew up loving. The songs in the movie include a duet by Meatloaf and Ronnie James Dio, a battle between the D and Satan (played by Dave Grohl), and my favorite song in the movie, Dude (I totally miss you).
The soundtrack alone is more than enough to recommend Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny but there is more. Check out the guest list which includes Ben Stiller as guitar shop employee, Tim Robbins as a homeless german rocker and John C. Reilly reprising his role as Sasquatch from Tenacious D's HBO comedy show.
As a long time fan of Tenacious D there was little chance that I would not love The Pick of Destiny. Still, I wasn't completely satisfied. The movie is just a little too much like an extended version of the TV show. It's a great TV show, but as a fan I was hoping for something more. I am recommending The Pick of Destiny for fans of Tenacious D. For those new to the D phenomenon, you should probably check out the TV show, now on DVD, before investing in The Pick of Destiny.
