Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny

Year: 2006
Running time: 93 minutes
Certificate: 15
Language: English
Screenplay: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, Liam Lynch
Director: Liam Lynch

Starring: Jack Black, Kyle Gass, JR Reed, Troy Gentile, Dave Grohl

JB sets fire to the mic. With awesomeness, presumably.

Jack Black is a funny man with an obsessive love of rock n’ roll, channelled to great effect in the riotous School of Rock. You get the feeling, however, that with Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny Black really savours being let off the PG leash. Tenacious D is a comedy rock band fronted by Black and his brother-in-rock Kyle Gass, who is one of those rare people who are hilarious even when doing nothing. Previously, The D had already released a successful album and now has its own movie in the form of this origin story. Pick of Destiny is stuffed to bursting with swearing and knob gags, which is fine for say, half an hour, but eventually it begins to grate something awful. While there are some genuine laughs (the young JB's (Troy Gentile) foul-mouthed rocking-out in front of his outraged parents near the start and the crotch push-ups gag are the two that, ahem, ‘stick out’ the most), the formula soon becomes tired, much like the album released previously.

JB (Black) leaves the home of his overly religious parents on a mission to form, to use a disagreeable modern parlance, the most awesome rock band ever. His quest leads him to KG (Gass) and the two form Tenacious D. JB learns the secret of all great rock guitarists; that they all used the supernatural pick of destiny, made from a piece of Satan's tooth which instills incredible guitar skills in all who use it. The two of them set out to steal said pick and much like a romantic comedy, split up briefly before getting back together for the ending. Of course most romantic comedies don't end in a rock-off with Satan (Dave Grohl), Karate Kid style.

Where was Ralph Macchio when you needed him?

Tenacious D has never quite realised its potential, with the possible exceptions of singles Tribute and Fuck Her Gently, and this is no different. Even the endlessly energetic and manically likable Black struggles with the sloppy material, which is a shame, because this had such a great deal of opportunity for comedy rock gold. Jack Black completists will be sure to get it, but for a more casual fan, there are two superior music-based roles in both the aforementioned School of Rock, and a show-stealing supporting role in High Fidelity.

Score: 4/10

It appears as though Mark at Dubo's Den is even less impressed than I am, but it seems to hit the spot for Alex at First Showing.