Is I Should Have Been Dead Years Ago Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2024)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

In the evolving tapestry of Documentary, Music cinema, the 2024 release of I Should Have Been Dead Years Ago stands as a landmark endeavor that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Exploring the life, music, & artistic output of Stuart Gray (AKA Stu Spasm), the notorious underground rocker who created the most psychotronic group to ever emerge from Australia – the legendary Lubricated Goat. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Documentary, Music are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Exploring the life, music, & artistic output of Stuart Gray (AKA Stu Spasm), the notorious underground rocker who created the most psychotronic group to ever emerge from Australia – the legendary Lubricated Goat. Shot over 20 years, featuring archival footage, photos, interviews, Gray’s sculptures and paintings, live performance footage including Gray’s current band, The Art Gray Noizz Quintet. The odyssey of a compulsively creative iconoclast who finds his artistic redemption outside the realm of commercial success. "An amazing personal journey -- 20 years in the making -- with one of noise rock/grunge's most unjustly unsung visionaries.” -Mark Prindle"

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Stuart Gray does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Jason Axel Summers is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 101 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is I Should Have Been Dead Years Ago truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Documentary, Music, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, I Should Have Been Dead Years Ago explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2024 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Jason Axel Summers respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, I Should Have Been Dead Years Ago is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Stuart Gray or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, I Should Have Been Dead Years Ago is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.