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WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story centres around, as you’d expect, ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, someone I mostly remember from the ’80s, with his song “Eat It“, spoofing Michael Jackson’s Beat It, that had come out not long before.
We first see Al – played by Daniel Radcliffe (Escape From Pretoria) – in hospital suffering from cardiac arrest, and classed as having died… but obviously hasn’t yet. So, we go back to when he was a kid, listening to Dr Demento (Rainn Wilson – Utopia (2020)) on the radio. Al’s Dad wants him to follow in his footsteps and work in the factory when he grows up – despite it being dangerous and caused him to lose a hand, while Al would rather write songs, such as changing ‘Amazing Grace‘ to ‘Amazing Grapes‘.
He’s introduced to the accordion as a child, albeit in an unconventional way when the salesman rather upsets his father, presuming what we see is to be believed. And that rather forms the basis for this film, since whilst meeting a number of famous people at a pool party including Queen’s John Deacon and getting the chance to go on stage and perform with them at Live Aid – making me wonder just how much of this is true, since he wasn’t there… was he even offered this?
Well, given that we learn Michael Jackson is making a parody of “Eat It“, but as “Beat It“, I think that answers the question.
I liked certain sections of this, such as Al getting inspiration for his songs, such as My Sharona becoming My Balogna. Plus, Evan Rachel Wood is superb as the ’80s Madonna, apparently having a relationship with Al… so, definitely a parody!
In addition with a scene where Daniel Radcliffe spoofs Jim Morrison in his drinking phase – whilst talking back to the audience, I’m not sure I wholly got this parody of the parody of Al’s life. As such, WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story is worth a look, but don’t expect anything long-lasting.
WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story is on the Roku Channel now, but isn’t yet available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 108 minutes
Release date: November 4th 2022
Studio: Apple TV+
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Rating: 5/10
Director: Eric Appel
Producers: Eric Appel, Lia Buman, Mike Farah, Joe Farrell, Tim Headington, Whitney Hodack, Max Silva, Al Yankovic
Screenplay: Al Yankovic, Eric Appel
Music: Leo Birenberg, Zach Robinson
Cast:
Weird Al Yankovic: Daniel Radcliffe
Madonna: Evan Rachel Wood
Young Al Yankovic: Richard Aaron Anderson
Dr. Demento: Rainn Wilson
Mary Yankovic: Julianne Nicholson
Nick Yankovic: Toby Huss
Grizzled Narrator: Diedrich Bader
Doctor: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.