Hard Core Logo is a mockumentary about an aging rock band struggling through a tour. Having said that, it is nothing at all like This Is Spinal Tap. It is a million times better. Plus, it's Canadian. What's not to like? The film features excellent music that stands on its own very well. Any fan of punk music would enjoy it, certainly on that level. Headstone's front man Hugh Dillon gravelly vocals lend themselves perfectly to the music, leaving one to wonder why Dillon didn't make his way in the punk genre, as he seems perfectly suited to it. Or maybe that's just great acting.
The four main characters, members of the has-been rock band Hard Core Logo, are each fantastic to watch, and could not be more different from each other. The mean-spirited and self-destructive lead singer Joe Dick is played to perfection by Dillon. After being aggressively pursued for the part by director Bruce McDonald, Dillon finally agreed to play the part after McDonald promised him creative input. Drawing upon his own experiences touring, Dillon creates a fascinating and sympathetic anti-hero. Joe Dick is not a good guy, as we realize in the course of the film. He is, however, totally committed to his dream and admirably gives his all in an attempt to realize it. Callum Keith Rennie brings a lot of subtlety to his role of Billy Talent, the above-it-all lead guitarist who humors his old friend while courting fame elsewhere. While the mentally unbalanced John Oxenburger and the flat-out stupid Pipefitter are both well-played, they stay in the background, giving excellent support to the unfolding dynamic between the two main characters.
While Hard Core Logo is shot in documentary style, McDonald frequently strays from this for dramatic effect, for example, the acid trip scene. This combined with limited input or reference to the documentary crew makes for what is more of a straight-up drama than a mockumentary. The genre just provides some opportunity for interesting editing, such as the four-way split screen scene that would be difficult to fit into a conventional style film. Another example is a scene in which the band has a roadside argument in the early morning. All of the actors are seen in silhouette, preventing us from seeing their faces during an important and emotional scene. Such a stylistic choice would be hard to fit into a conventional film, but can be excused in the context of a documentary.
Although this film, and all other rock-and-roll mockumentaries, will always beg comparison to the high standard, This is Spinal Tap, there really is no comparing them. Where Spinal Tap is slapstick and goofy, Hard Core Logo is smartly funny and primarily dramatic. Where Spinal Tap is over-the-top, Hard Core is small and real. Most importantly, where Spinal Tap is boring and unfunny, Hard Core is a fantastically well-written and acted look at strained friendships and dreams that will never come true.
The four main characters, members of the has-been rock band Hard Core Logo, are each fantastic to watch, and could not be more different from each other. The mean-spirited and self-destructive lead singer Joe Dick is played to perfection by Dillon. After being aggressively pursued for the part by director Bruce McDonald, Dillon finally agreed to play the part after McDonald promised him creative input. Drawing upon his own experiences touring, Dillon creates a fascinating and sympathetic anti-hero. Joe Dick is not a good guy, as we realize in the course of the film. He is, however, totally committed to his dream and admirably gives his all in an attempt to realize it. Callum Keith Rennie brings a lot of subtlety to his role of Billy Talent, the above-it-all lead guitarist who humors his old friend while courting fame elsewhere. While the mentally unbalanced John Oxenburger and the flat-out stupid Pipefitter are both well-played, they stay in the background, giving excellent support to the unfolding dynamic between the two main characters.
While Hard Core Logo is shot in documentary style, McDonald frequently strays from this for dramatic effect, for example, the acid trip scene. This combined with limited input or reference to the documentary crew makes for what is more of a straight-up drama than a mockumentary. The genre just provides some opportunity for interesting editing, such as the four-way split screen scene that would be difficult to fit into a conventional style film. Another example is a scene in which the band has a roadside argument in the early morning. All of the actors are seen in silhouette, preventing us from seeing their faces during an important and emotional scene. Such a stylistic choice would be hard to fit into a conventional film, but can be excused in the context of a documentary.
Although this film, and all other rock-and-roll mockumentaries, will always beg comparison to the high standard, This is Spinal Tap, there really is no comparing them. Where Spinal Tap is slapstick and goofy, Hard Core Logo is smartly funny and primarily dramatic. Where Spinal Tap is over-the-top, Hard Core is small and real. Most importantly, where Spinal Tap is boring and unfunny, Hard Core is a fantastically well-written and acted look at strained friendships and dreams that will never come true.