Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara: Movie Review

Director: Kent Belcher

Filmed over years of heavy metal band Alien Weaponry's young life, director Kent Belcher's documentary digs into their past, but not deeply enough to feel like it's vital viewing.

To the uninitiated, Alien Weaponry are brothers Henry and Lewis de Jong, a pair of brothers, who have been singing heavy metal in the Māori language since the group's formation in 2010. From early appearances at New Zealand competition Rockquest through to headlining European festivals, Belcher's piece - along with footage from the boys' parents - builds a portrait of a group that passionately believes in itself and its message of keeping the indigenous language going.

But at no point during Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara is it ever fully expanded on why the brothers were so resolute to write and produce music in this way. It's a given for them probably due to background and parenting, yet when assumptions have to be made in a documentary it's frustrating.

Equally frustrating is Belcher's desire to avoid the conflicts within the group and the more emotional moments that would have resonance outside of these shores. The ramifications of a serious cancellation of one of the group's biggest ever concerts are simply tossed aside as a dramatic moment and sidelined with a months later catch up with the group before they head to Europe for a tour. (Equally Covid complications over recording are simply notched up as a petulant moment for a teenager having a tantrum).

It's baffling to see and while it may go against Belcher's desire to present a very chilled-out documentary, it does speak volumes as to why this movie possibly won't go any further than these shores - or within the band's extensive fanbase.

That's not to say Henry and Lewis don't make for watchable bedfellows throughout. Indeed, there's something heartening and inspiring for youngsters to see those who have the belief and passion are rewarded on a global scale - and certainly the message to others is a commendable one.

It's just that Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara clearly doesn't quite have the passion for a full-length documentary, or enough desire to commit to the warts'n'all approach needed. It may have insights from the likes of Lamb of God's head, and it may be the boys are too young as a group to have endless conflict, but Belcher's piece, while well-intentioned and handsomely-helmed, unfortunately lacks the kick and hook of a truly great doco.

This film is playing as part of the 2024 Whanau Marama New Zealand International Film Festival. For more details, visit nziff.co.nz