MOVIE REVIEW - "IRON MAIDEN: FLIGHT 666"

    This week, I had the opportunity to experience a very rare movie event with the release of "Iron Maiden: Flight 666" (ironmaiden.com/flight666), a rockumentary about one of the biggest British heavy metal bands in the world! This film documents Iron Maiden's "Somewhere Back In Time Tour" 2008 in which Iron Maiden toured 13 countries, travelling 50,000 miles while in their very own airliner called "Ed Force One" and piloted by none other than the band's singer Bruce Dickinson! Written and Directed by Sam Dunn and Scot McFayden ("Metal: A Headbanger's Journey" (2005) and "Global Metal" (2008)) "Flight 666" is a unique experience for any heavy metal fan as we get a behind the scenes look at Iron Maiden during their biggest and most ambitious tours ever. Not only do we get to see the band perform many of their most beloved hits but watch as the literally travel across the world to such locations as South America, Tokyo, Australia and even Papua New Guinea.
    Although it's not just about the tour as we get to see a little more of a personal side to the band as they play golf and tennis in their spare time, even touring Mexican pyramids or just taking their families along. The most impressive aspect of the film is seeing the incredibly multi-talented Bruce Dickinson himself (in uniform) pilot an enormous airplane full of band members, crew and all of their equipment.
Another aspect of this film also shows how a metal band that were in the height of popularity in the 1980's is still going string and how their music means so much to people all over the world both young and old. And to any fan (old school or new) can come together and enjoy a truly awe inspiring musical experience.
    I must admit, upon first hearing that the movie which would only be released only in select theaters until its intial DVD release later in June, would come to my local theater in a one time only showing on a Tuesday night I half expected to be one of maybe less than a dozen fans in attendance but it wasn't long before the theater was almost packed with fans both young and old, and the majority wearing various Iron Maiden T-shirts and even one diehard fan who donned a full-headed "Eddie" mask. (And if you don't know who Eddie is, why are you even reading this?!
    Along with "Live After Death" and "Rock In Rio" This is one of the best live Iron Maiden shows ever! If you're an Iron Maiden fan or heavy metal in general, this is a must see, and totally worth seeing on the big movie screen before it comes out on DVD. I also recommend "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey" for a little Metal 101!