Guns N' Roses: Appetite for Destruction (1988) Review in 2025
Guns N' Roses: Appetite for Destruction is a live concert film that captures the energy and raw power of one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
Not recommended for young children due to explicit language and mature themes.
CineReview Recommendation
This film is a must-see for any rock music fan. It's a raw and unbridled take on Guns N' Roses' debut album, and the band's energy and intensity are palpable. However, it's not suitable for young children due to explicit language and mature themes.
Spoiler Alert!
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The film features the band performing their debut album in its entirety, with blistering guitar riffs, pounding drums, and Axl Rose's signature vocals. The performance is intense and unbridled, with the band delivering a raw and unpolished take on their classic songs.
Review Details
story8.00/10
The film's story is simple, but effective. It's a live concert film that captures the energy and raw power of Guns N' Roses' debut album. The band performs each song with passion and intensity, making for an exhilarating viewing experience.
acting9.00/10
The band members deliver strong performances, with Axl Rose's vocals being the standout. The rest of the band members also deliver solid performances, with Slash's guitar riffs and Duff's bass lines being particularly noteworthy.
characters9.00/10
The band members are the main characters of the film, and they deliver strong performances. Axl Rose's vocals are iconic, Slash's guitar riffs are blistering, and Duff's bass lines are infectious. The chemistry between the band members is palpable, and they feed off each other's energy to create something truly special.
direction9.00/10
Bruce Weber's direction is straightforward and effective. He captures the raw energy of the band's performance, and the camera work is slick and polished. The editing is also well done, with each song flowing seamlessly into the next.
cinematography8.00/10
The cinematography is good, but not great. The camera work is often straightforward, and there are times when the lighting could be better. However, the overall visual style of the film is effective in capturing the energy and intensity of the band's performance.
Pros and Cons
Pros
The film's raw energy and intensity are palpable, and the band's performance is exhilarating. The chemistry between the band members is also noteworthy, and they deliver strong performances.
Cons
The cinematography could be better, and there are times when the lighting could be improved. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent film.
Notable Quotes
"Nightrain, it's my best friend"
"Paradise city, we're livin' here"
"Welcome to the jungle, it gets worse here"
