Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (SPOILERS)

Finally sat down and watched the Weird Al biopic and had a blast. I could clearly tell it was a passion project for Al and it looked like everyone involved had a great time. I already gave a short review on Letterboxd, but seeing as my page here is half Weird Al themed, I think its appropriate to go more in-detail here.

From the start, this movie is incredibly over-the-top. Starting from the fictionalized version of Al's childhood, he takes the tired musician biopic trope of unsupportive parents and takes it to a hilarious extreme. The whole deal with Al's dad wanting him to work in The Factory cracked me the fuck up. Loved to see that some true details were kept, though, like the door-to-door salesman. The polka party bust and the dramatic destruction of Al's accordion absolutely killed me, too.

Daniel Radcliffe is an inspired choice to play Al, especially in a movie this non-serious. Looks nothing like him, but is still sort of a weird, nerdy heartthrob (I say weird and nerdy with all the love in my heart, of course) that can carry the correct energy. Al himself said Dan was perfect for the role due to his proficiency in both comedic and dramatic acting, and I completely agree. Dan perfectly played everything straight. It's also nice to see Al's band represented in this movie! They're all too often overlooked by the general public and really added to the comedic aspect as well as provided great parody of band biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody. The scene where they all hear My Bologna on the radio for the first time was hilariously overblown. Also insane that Al's first single really was recorded in a public bathroom, and that wasn't a gag. Rainn Wilson is also perfect to play Dr. Demento.

Seeing real Al in this movie was fun, too! Seeing him without his normal hair is always a little strange, though.

The character of Madonna worried me for a bit, because I was a little afraid people would start thinking she was actually like that, but then the movie had her take over Pablo Escobar's drug empire and I realized someone would have to be a grade-A idiot to think any of her characterization was real.

The parody of the often glamorized and crass way biopics depict addiction and violence was really funny. I understand the point of the movie was to portray Al, a generally unproblematic celebrity, as a total washed-up rockstar with a redemption arc, but it's just pulled off so well. The writing and Dan Radcliffe's acting just really sell it. It's hilarious. The gag where Eat It was an original song that MJ parodied with Beat It was also pretty great.

The best part, however, is the ending. The idea of Al pissing himself on live TV before being blasted into oblivion by an assassin sent by Madonna was funny enough, but the obviously photoshopped images of him actually being shot and the subsequent memorials absolutely sent me into hysterics. I've already started sending the picture with President Ronald Regan (may he rot in hell) paying tribute as a joke to friends. Pure comedic genius.

Overall, I think the movie was really fun. Perfect? No. I don't think all the jokes landed. But it's probably one of the funniest things I've seen in a while. Definitely buying a copy of it on DVD/Blu-Ray if its released in such formats.

LMK what y'all thought!