Fantastic Fest: ‘This is Gwar’ Review – ‘One hell of an ass kicking backstage pass you won’t want to miss’

Fantastic Fest: This is Gwar (2021)

Directed By: Scott Barber

Starring: Hunter Jackson, Dave Brockie (archival footage), Bob Gorman, Ethan Embry, Weird Al

“They took Dave’s dick away in a bucket”– a line that seems utterly insane until you realize it’s just one of the many fascinating antidotes told in Scott Barber’s second feature film This is Gwar. So, I guess I should make a confession from the start. Whilst I love horror, comics and a good old fashioned Grand Guignol style shock-rock show, I’ve actually never seen a Gwar stage show live nor even heard an entire album if I’m being totally honest.

This is not because of any dislike. In fact, I always liked how theatrical their gimmick was which obviously drew a lot of inspiration from the horror genre. Having said that Scott Barber’s documentary was engaging as hell.

Even as a total outsider to the band’s fanbase, I was hooked. Like, I had no idea that the band actually has a pretty cool lore that involves aliens. Barber does a fantastic job at laying out the entire history of the band in a really easy and straight forward way. Adding a visually pleasing element whilst also paying homage to the band’s roots, the transitions and timeline are done in the pulpy comic book style. It’s this level of detail that I think really makes this Gwarumentary stand out.

Of course, helping tell the story are key members of the band that provide incredibly lively and engaging stories. Seriously, you cannot help but hang on their every word. It also includes other interview subjects like horror director Adam Green, actor Thomas Lennon, Weird Al and Bam Margera. Rare home videos, live performances and photos further help provide a rich account of events. Like any good documentary, you get the highs and the lows, and at the end of the nearly two hours you really feel connected.

Blood-splattered, heads roll and Dave’s dick in a bucket, just another day in the life of American’s most wholesome rock-band. This is Gwar is one hell of an ass kicking backstage pass you won’t want to miss.

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