There are rock documentaries, there are metal documentaries, and then there are survival stories told at full volume. Kicked Out, Cranked Up – The Dave Mustaine Story & The Ruthless Rise of Megadeth belongs firmly in the last category. This Netflix Original doesn’t just chronicle the rise of one of thrash metal’s most enduring bands—it captures the volatile mix of ambition, betrayal, addiction, and obsession that forged Megadeth into a global metal institution.This is not a redemption story wrapped in a neat bow. It’s louder, uglier, and far more honest.—The documentary opens with the moment that changed metal history forever: Dave Mustaine being fired from Metallica in 1983. The film doesn’t sensationalize the incident—it lets it simmer. Through archival audio, raw interviews, and Mustaine’s own unfiltered recollections, we see a young guitarist humiliated, angry, and stranded. But what follows is the central thesis of the film: rejection didn’t break Mustaine—it ignited him.Netflix smartly avoids re-litigating Metallica’s success. Instead, it focuses on Mustaine’s internal reckoning. The bus ride back to Los Angeles becomes symbolic—a long, furious journey where the idea of Megadeth is born not out of revenge alone, but out of a burning need to be faster, heavier, and more precise than anything that came before.—The rise of Megadeth is portrayed as anything but linear. Early lineups collapse as quickly as they form. Substance abuse, ego clashes, and Mustaine’s own perfectionism turn the band into a revolving door. The film doesn’t excuse this chaos—it confronts it head-on.Former members speak candidly, sometimes painfully, about working under Mustaine. Their stories paint a picture of a bandleader who demanded excellence at all costs, often sacrificing relationships in the process. Yet, the documentary balances this with the undeniable results: albums like Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? and Rust in Peace didn’t just push thrash metal forward—they redefined technical metal songwriting.Through studio footage and isolated track breakdowns, Netflix highlights Megadeth’s precision: complex time signatures, razor-sharp riffs, and politically charged lyrics delivered with venom. This wasn’t chaos for chaos’ sake. It was controlled aggression.—One of the film’s strongest segments addresses Mustaine’s long battle with addiction. Rather than romanticizing the excess, Kicked Out, Cranked Up presents addiction as the constant antagonist—undermining relationships, sabotaging tours, and threatening the band’s survival.Mustaine speaks with rare vulnerability about the cost of control—how his need to dominate every aspect of Megadeth mirrored his dependence on substances. The documentary doesn’t offer easy absolution. Instead, it shows recovery as an ongoing process, filled with setbacks and hard truths.This honesty elevates the film beyond fan service. It becomes a study in leadership, accountability, and the personal toll of relentless ambition.—By the 1990s, Megadeth had become a worldwide force. The documentary captures this era with kinetic energy—sold-out arenas, international tours, and Mustaine finally achieving the recognition he once chased from the shadows.Yet even at their peak, conflict never disappears. Creative tensions, lineup changes, and industry pressure loom large. Netflix resists the temptation to frame success as the end of the struggle. For Megadeth, success only raised the stakes.The film’s pacing mirrors the band’s music: fast, sharp, and occasionally overwhelming—but always deliberate.—In its final act, Kicked Out, Cranked Up turns reflective without softening its subject. Mustaine acknowledges his influence on metal culture, from shaping thrash’s sound to mentoring musicians who would go on to define the genre. But the film refuses to crown him a hero.Instead, it leaves viewers with a more compelling truth: Megadeth exists because Dave Mustaine refused to disappear.The closing scenes—Mustaine on stage, older but still razor-focused—underscore the documentary’s core message. Legacy isn’t about being liked. It’s about being relentless.—Kicked Out, Cranked Up – The Dave Mustaine Story & The Ruthless Rise of Megadeth is a must-watch not just for metal fans, but for anyone fascinated by creative obsession. It’s messy, confrontational, and unapologetically loud—just like the band it chronicles.
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