Mötley Crüe: The End tells the story of the glam-metallers’ Crue Year's Eve farewell performance. The last night of their final tour, which took place on December 31 last year at the Staples Center, just a few miles from the Sunset Strip in the band's hometown of Los Angeles, brought things full circle to where it all started 35 years ago.
Screened in the United States in June and about to make its bow in the UK, the documentary captures the magnificent spectacle of the band's theatrical show, including the ringing in of the New Year on stage, interspersed with behind-the-scenes footage and some surprisingly candid interviews with each Crüe member.
Long-time fans will find it bittersweet viewing as Vince Neil, Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars and Tommy Lee pull off a hair-raising swansong while weighing in on exactly why they split up after decades of high-octane rock ‘n’ roll.
Hearing Sixx say of his bandmates “we’re not enemies, but we’re not friends” before revealing he'll “probably never see them again, except in passing,” is shocking, but the brutal honesty from all four members keeps the viewer hooked. You can’t accuse them of holding anything back.
During their heyday, Crüe were the living embodiment of '80s rock excess and, as expected, their final performance is massively over the top. From the opener, Girls, Girls, Girls, through to an emotional encore rendition of Home Sweet Home, which the band perform from a second stage riser surrounded by fans in the centre of the arena, it’s a grand spectacle. A few lyrical blunders from Neil, and a cringey resurrection of Gary Glitter’s Rock and Roll Part 2, aren’t enough pull you from a totally immersive experience.
While the band cross off all the classics one final time, amid explosions and stage stunts, including Sixx's flame-throwing bass and Lee's insane Cruecifly rollercoaster drum set, some may argue that the spoken segments occasionally ruin the momentum of the show. But the honesty and openness from the band and crew keep you looking for more.
“These guys are going in four different directions,” their tour manager says. “They’re on four different buses, most of the time they’re staying in different hotels from each other...some days they like each other, some days they don’t. Most days they don't.” It's bizarre that a band so out of sync with one another came together for such a breathtaking finale.
After over 30 years, millions of albums sold and more than one dance with death, the grand exit of the rock band once dubbed the world's most notorious is essential viewing for any fan and an apt final page in a history book soaked with excess and debauchery.
Mötley Crüe: The End hits select UK cinema screens tonight, October 13, for one night only. For further details and ticket information head to motleyincinema.com.
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