The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years
B's International | Release Date: June 17, 1988 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
58
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews
Positive:
5
Mixed:
2
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
70
Chicago ReaderLuca Cimarusti
Penelop Spheeris's 1988 sequel to her classic 1981 LA punk documentary focuses on the kind of extravagance that the kids in the first film were rebelling against, at least insofar as it manifested itself in stadium-ready rock 'n' roll and its brand-new baby brother, hair metal. Read full review
30
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
There's so little respect for the music that we never see or hear a number from beginning to end, and we rarely hear any of the musicians speak more than a few seconds at a time. Overall the glibness and self-contempt are so thick you can cut them with a knife. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneDave Kehr
There are few marquees that could contain the title The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: the Metal Years, but Penelope Spheeris' documentary on the heavy metal bands of rock 'n' roll turns out to be much more graceful than its name. [05 Aug 1988, p.B] Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesMichael Wilmington
Decline's redeeming grace is its jocular, damn-the-proprieties air and, for the first half, its staccato editing rhythm. It's damnation is most of the music and its relative avoidance of heavy metal's darker corners: the pith and point that Alex Cox gave punk in Sid and Nancy. Read full review
75
Miami HeraldDoug Adrianson
Much of metal's appeal is the mythology of power -- mighty images of conquest (sexual and otherwise) carried on tidal waves of thunderous music. Spheeris shows us the insecurity, frailty and dim-bulb vacuousness behind the myth, in a film that is sometimes disturbing and always fascinating. [05 Aug 1988, p.C8]
60
The New York TimesJanet Maslin
Even those who would never, without the urging of wild horses, dream of attending a film about the seamy world of heavy-metal music are sure to find Penelope Spheeris's The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years of unexpected interest. Read full review
70
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
The boys all brag about sex but look like Mother Fist is their main mistress. The values stink, the music stinks, and Lemmy from Motorhead is a dickhead, but the movie is totally compelling. Rather like watching a car wreck on the opposite side of a motorway. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
This is a well-made, observant documentary, with attitude to spare and plenty of justifiable laughs at the expense of its subjects. Focusing in on every aspect of this subculture--from the fascinating, to the absurd, to the downright depressing--this would make the perfect double bill with This Is Spinal Tap. Read full review
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