Phil Roberts 
Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition delivers an intimate, fun, and often hilarious ride that will delight fans and offer great insight into the band’s creative brilliance!
The music documentary genre is enjoying a resurgence of late. From Elton John to Michael Jackson, the biggest names in the music industry are being celebrated in Hollywood like never before. This week, James Cameron takes us behind the scenes of Billie Eilish’s World Tour to give us a greater insight into one of the world’s most iconic contemporary performers. And on the other end of the spectrum, a new feature exploring one of the UK’s greatest rock bands is headbanging its way into cinemas.
Malcolm Venville’s IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION is an intimate exploration of the rise, fall, and resurrection of one of Britain’s greatest ever exports. From their history-making performance behind the Iron Curtain to the band’s constant restructuring, the film promises to take fans behind the scenes and put them at the heart of the action. But is the film worthy of our adulation? Or is it just another empty documentary?
REVIEW
Fear not, readers, because Malcolm Venville’s IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION is a phenomenal exploration of the rise of Britain’s most iconic rock bands. It’s a pulse-pounding, hair-swirling roller coaster ride. Although the film sidesteps some of the more controversial moments in their rise, it delivers an intimate, fun, and often hilarious ride that will delight fans and offer great insight into its creative brilliance!
Alongside the band, the documentary features on-camera reflections from high-profile fans, including Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich, and Chuck D, each of whom discusses Iron Maiden’s influence on music, culture, and generations of fans worldwide. Even the creation of Eddie, the band’s beloved mascot, is explored, which stemmed from the band’s discomfort in front of the camera. All this, and more, transforms the film from a mere documentary into an invitation to embrace the band and its importance to the industry. It’s a treasure trove of intimate footage, anecdotes, and history-making moments that will delight Maiden-Heads everywhere.
THE RISE
We all have our own personal moments where we embraced the band in all its glory. Whether you’ve been there from the very beginning or are a newcomer, the fanbase is united in its adulation, and that unity is the documentary’s beating heart. We get to explore the power of the first two Paul Di’Anno–led albums, the golden age of the ’80s with Bruce Dickinson, and even the turbulent ’90s and their resurgence in the 2000s, all from the band’s hilarious perspective. Spanning five decades, the film takes us through the ups and downs alongside a brutally honest running commentary that keeps things light and breezy, sometimes to its detriment. It conveniently sidesteps some of the more controversial moments in the band’s career to keep the momentum lighter, but I would have preferred the warts-and-all approach.
What the film does well, however, is celebrate the fantastic music the band has crafted over five sensational decades. The film serves as a highlight reel of their greatest hits, taking us from the green room to the stage of some of the biggest performances of their careers. We feel the music and get to embrace it on a greater level than anything we have ever seen before, and I defy anyone not to rock out as the band plays their greatest hits!
THE FANS
As mentioned at the top of the review, the interviews with the band’s biggest fans are where the documentary’s true value lies. The passion oozing from each interviewee is tangible and resonates with every member of the audience. The love, dedication, and passion are projected through the screen and take us back to the roots of the band’s ascension. Their dedication is infectious, and it reminds us what Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Nicko McBrain, and Janick Gers have truly given to not only their fans but to music in general.
This is evident in the performance in Communist Poland, where Polish audiences, despite living under tyranny, found hope and joy in their music. Although flanked by military police, the energy of the crowds and the power of Maiden’s performance shone through, rising above the political turmoil gripping the country. It serves as a testament to the power of music and the resilience of the people who embraced the band’s philosophy of togetherness. It’s a wonderful message that cuts through propaganda and elevates the band beyond the sum of its parts.
THE BAND
Despite these wonderful moments, the band doesn’t actually appear on camera throughout the film. Instead, they contribute their memories, quips, and anecdotes about the events that made them through the often hilarious commentary that accompanies the imagery. Believe me, they don’t hold back, and their attitude towards some of the controversies is hilarious. Despite their passion for their legacy, their “don’t give a shit” approach is utterly rib-tickling and leads to some of the film’s best moments. Even criticizing each other’s ideas, decisions, and creative swings isn’t off the table, and it shows that their bond is stronger than petty rivalries and egos, which sums the band up in a nutshell. Despite all their differences, the revolving door of band members, and their reinventions, the band’s love never dims, and that is reflected in this film.
VERDICT
Overall, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition is a treasure trove of insight into the UK’s most beloved band. From its pulse-pounding musical performances to the adoring fans’ passion, the film is an invitation to embrace the band and its importance to the industry. The music is exceptional, the band’s commentary is hilarious, and its legacy is laid bare for fans to relive. This is a fan’s dream of a movie. More than a mere documentary, it is a celebration of music and a window into the mindset of the creatives behind it all.
Whether you’re a fan of the band or a casual viewer, there is something for everyone to invest in. So, dust off your Maiden T-Shirt, meet Eddie, the band’s iconic mascot, and rock out with a true icon of the industry!
Rock on, Maiden-Heads!
Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition is playing in cinemas now.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
