By Robert Scucci | Published
Tenacious D first gained attention as an up-and-coming group in 1996. Bio-Dome. Their brief appearance on a college campus, shouting about saving a few fucking trees, was just background fodder with potential.
A decade later, after gaining mainstream fame through comedy-rock songs and ballads like “Tribute” and “Wonder Boy,” the duo finally landed their own buddy comedy feature film, Tenacious D in The Choice of Destiny. This time, they don’t sing about the trees; they smoke them. Lots of them.
Playing like a rock opera with a companion album perfect for blasting on your morning commute, The choice of destiny was never built for critical acclaim or commercial success. It flopped at the box office but found a second life on DVD and streaming, where it became a certified cult classic.
It’s easy to see why: it’s a musical fantasy, a buddy comedy, a rock opera driven primarily by stoner humor. It’s not really a mainstream release. However, if you are the target audience of The choice of destinyyou will feel at home.
Can’t you see it’s him, let me hear you applaud!
Jack Black is Jack Black in The choice of destinyplaying a fictional, exaggerated version of himself, or maybe just himself on a normal day. His larger-than-life personality blurs the line between actor and character, so it’s sometimes hard to tell.
Kyle Gass, who also plays himself, embodies the role of “riding Jack Black’s cocks,” as he proudly admits whenever he insists. Together, they form Tenacious D, the self-proclaimed “the most rock group in the world”.
Jack ran away from home as a child when his religious father, Bud (Meat Loaf), forbade him from listening to metal because of its satanic imagery. On the street, Jack meets Kyle, a guitarist who is both talented and stoned. With Jack’s powerful vocals and Kyle’s riffs, they formed Tenacious D and began playing open mics to mixed reactions and rowdy crowds.
When they discover the legend of the titular Pickaxe of Destiny, said to be forged from Satan’s tooth, they set out in search of it, believing it will make them gods. The power of choice brings glory, ego and tension between the two as they struggle with their dreams, their pride and figure out how to pay their rent.
The best way to visualize the choice of destiny
Basically, The choice of destiny flourishes thanks to his music. When I received the companion album a week before the film’s release, I was disappointed when I finally went to see it. Like most good musicals, the songs reveal the rhythm of the story, so I already knew how things were going to end. The idea may have been for audiences to sing along in theaters, but judging from the blank stares around me, most people were expecting a standard Jack Black comedy.
The choice of destiny works best on repeated viewings. Once you are familiar with the songs and their transitions, the story becomes more difficult. “Storm the Gates” is hilarious as an audio track of Jack recounting his heist plans in real time, but watching him execute it on screen makes it special.
Dave Grohl’s cameo as the Devil is also pure joy. Watching him shred on one of the coolest drum kits ever filmed is worth the price of admission alone.
Streaming The Choice of Destiny
The choice of destiny Don’t try to be clever or sophisticated. It’s raw, loud and proud of it. Every song, joke and performance is delivered with a reckless confidence that only Tenacious D could pull off.
The dialogue may not win any prizes, but that is not the point. This movie exists purely for fun and it delivers on that promise. Love it or hate it, at least one song will stick in your head long after the credits roll.
The choice of destiny is streaming for free on Tubi.
