IRON MAIDEN Celebrate Their “Burning Ambition” With Career Spanning Documentary: REVIEW

"Burning Ambition" is out now [photo: Iron Maiden]

There's no band quite like Iron Maiden. Among other things, they were my gateway into rock and my first "proper" metal gig, perhaps the only band I can say has been with me my entire life. This is a band that have truly stood the test of time, now knee deep in celebrations for their 50th anniversary. It started with a tour, it's continuing with a tour, but not before a quick stop at the silver screen.

With feature documentary "Burning Ambition", Universal Pictures lifts the lid on the band's journey, not just in their words, but also the people who have been with them through it all: the fans.

As a band, Maiden have always been about the visuals just as much as the music. This is evident straight away in the documentary, with several animated sequences featuring the band's immortal mascot, Eddie. It's a nice evolution from the video backdrops used in last year's Run For Your Lives tour, with scenes bringing the album artwork to life (particular standouts include Killers and Powerslave).

The rest of the film is built around archival footage, a combination of gig footage and old interviews with band members. This offers a chance to have insights from late drummer Clive Burr, as well as a brand new interview from the band's former vocalist, Paul Di'Anno (a touching moment following his passing). New interviews with the band are audio only, playing over the archival footage, offering a nice retrospective look as members old and current reflect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD_H2u79tp0

Trailer for "Burning Ambition" [cred. Universal]

It's in the fan interviews (which are done "talking head" style) that the documentary really comes to life, a reminder that this is a band that means so much to so many people, in so many different ways. During one animated sequence, a fan talks about how terrifying Eddie is. It's moments like this that add a relatable edge - memories of me cowering under a blanket as Eddie smashes his hand through the glass in the Visions of the Beast intro (terrifying stuff for a 4 year old). It's where this documentary shines, tapping into a fanbase that has so many entry points.

It's a feat in itself achieving this milestone. It's another to condense this sprawling history into a sub two hour documentary, still managing to cover fair representation of each era of the band. The post Brave New World era feels slightly rushed in comparison to Maiden's turbulent rise in the 80s, but the documentary still manages to feel fresh, ending with live footage from last year's London Stadium show.

[photo: John McCurtie]

Whilst the result might not have much new to offer for diehard Maiden fans, it's hard to doubt the heart that's been put into this project. And it's true - Iron Maiden's going to get you, no matter how far.

"Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition" is out now in cinemas