Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny DVD: Review By Dodd

I must come clean and say I am a sucker for musicals. It is a guilty pleasure for me to become lost in a fictitious world where it is possible to break into spontaneous song. I can dig them all from West Side Story to Sound of Music. However, there is one style of musical that rises above the rest in my book and that is the rock musical. As an avid rock fan, there is nothing better to me (well...I am sure there are a lot of things actually) than a movie musical reliant on electric guitars and powerful ballads. With this in mind, it is a great joy for me to review the most recent rock musical to hit screens and DVD: Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.

Ok, so Tenacious D doesn't exactly fit into the same category as say Rocky Horror Picture Show or Rent. However it is also difficult to deny that this film could be classified as a musical. The movie is also an outrageous comedy. Based on the short-lived HBO series, Tenacious D takes Jack Black and Kyle Gass as...well...Jack Black (JB) and Kyle Gass (KG). Since its run on HBO, Tenacious D has attracted a cult following which led to the duo's album releases and concert tours. The Pick of Destiny is the D's first feature film. Does it meet the expectations of fans? It certainly does with this film reviewer.

Serving as somewhat of a prequel to the HBO series, Pick of Destiny begins with young Jack Black in Kickapoo, Missouri where his bible-beating father (Meat Loaf) does not condone rock and roll in the house. Believing he is truly meant to rock America, Jack sets off for Hollywood, California. It is here that he meets the c*cky, wig-wearing street performer, Kyle Gass. The two find that together they can produce rock magical enough to blow anyone's mind and attract any smoking hot groupie. Together they are Tenacious D.

It almost seems too good to be true except for one thing: KG and JB are losers. Despite their big ideas, they can't seem to get love at the local open mic night. Finally they come up with an idea. Somewhere in a rock and roll museum is the mythical Pick of Destiny said to be made from the tooth of Satan himself, and with enough power to have inspired some of the biggest rock legends. With nothing to lose, KG and JB go out on the open road to steal the pick and go down in history as the most memorable musicians of all time.

Pick of Destiny is a film that tanked in the box office and did not receive much love from critics, and I completely understand these results. Tenacious D is a rock duo that takes an acquired taste. Like most acts that have gained a specific cult following, there is a certain humor to this film that will not be understood if one has not already warmed up to Tenacious D through their music or TV series. Simply put: this is a film made for fans of Tenacious D.

With that being said, I can't hide how much fun I had watching this film. While Jack Black has been recognized for blockbuster hits, he is rarely acknowledged for the hilarious chemistry that he has with Kyle Gass. Better yet, the comical talent of Gass has gone overlooked. As loser rock stars with inflated egos, it is evident that Gass and Black once were or once knew similar people by the way they slide so comfortably into these roles. The thing that makes these characters so hilarious is that self-worshipping rock stars such as KG and JB are hard to miss in reality. Not a day goes by that I, myself, can recall laughing in my head at a grungy rocker-wannabe who lives in his mother's basement, yet thinks he is the next Van Halen. Kyle Gass and Jack Black become these characters perfectly. When they are not spouting off creative mission statements about rocking, I found myself laughing hilariously at even their non-verbal exchanges.

Pick of Destiny not only works as a comedy on many levels, but is passes off as a legitimate musical. Gass and Black do not break into random song and dance at a rate comparable to that of a common musical. However, when these guys make music, it truly is a unique, fast-paced, and humorous experience. The film kicks into motion brilliantly with a rock-off between Jack Black and Meat Loaf, and concludes with a similar face-off between JB and KG against Satan (played by Foo Fighters front man, Dave Grohl). These scenes are twisted and bizarre, but they also put a smile on my face.

Deleted/Extended Scenes

Most of the time, there is a reason for deleted scenes. However, I find that quality comedies tend to have a stockpile of removed footage on their DVD's. That is pretty much the case here. The DVD includes about 30 minutes worth of deleted footage. Some of it is pointless. However, this reel does have highlights well worth it. This includes extended footage of a cameo with Amy Poehler and the D's confrontation with an army surplus clerk played by David Koechner. These deleted scenes are well worth the time.

Commentary

The DVD includes two tracks. The first one is by Jack Black and Kyle Gass themselves. As imagined, these guys provide one treat of a commentary. There is not one boring moment when you have Gass and Black simply being themselves. The second track is a solo outing with director Liam Lynch. As the filmmaker, Lynch obviously takes a more serious stance on the film, and Black and Gass's track may make it sound boring. However, Lynch does his duty to discuss production details and why certain scenes that may scene unnecessary were included in the film.

The Making of Tenacious D

Running at 23 minutes, this is a pretty comprehensive featurette that covers everything from the origins of Tenacious D to the production of the film. Other topics include the selection of cameos throughout the film and the creation of Tenacious D super-fan Lee (Jason Reed) as a character.

In the Studio

As this is technically a musical, much of the tunes were pre-recorded in a studio and later synched with the film. This is 20 minutes of raw footage capturing the recording process with a little of Jack and Kyle cracking funnies mixed in.

The DVD also includes a music video, the making of that music video, the capability to jump to certain songs, and a trailer for the film.

Widescreen. Director Liam Lynch really goes all out in bringing Tenacious D to the big screen. There are many colorfully choreographed music sequences and non-musical scenes that turn out rather fantastic.

5.1 Dolby Digital. I probably can't stress enough the importance of quality sound for this film. One of the major highlights of this movie is the rock music. I suggest flipping on the Dolby Surround system if available.

Standard DVD keep case. The case also comes packaged in a slip sleeve with an image identical to the front cover. The cover shows Kyle and Jack excitedly reaching for the Pick of Destiny, and this makes for a vivid, eye-catching, and colorful illustration.

The Pick of Destiny is a comedy that is not for everyone. While I am giving this a high rating, I can't stress enough that you may not enjoy this film without first listening to Tenacious D or seeing their HBO series, which is also available on DVD. If you are a fan of the D, then this DVD is fully equipped with a hilarious film and a sufficient supply of quality bonus material. However, non-fans may first consider giving this a test rental.

Questions? Comments? Just want to talk movies? Drop me a line at dodd@movieweb.com