McGilligan dismisses it as a comedy that isn't funny, which I disagree with (e.g. 'waitress' to The Monkees - "Well, if it isn't God's gift to eight year olds"; later Peter Tork punches 'her' in the face) but also I think he misses the point - the film was supposed to appeal to stoners and acid heads, and was likely well received by that fraternity (co-writer Jack Nicholson and Rafelson had experimented heavily with both). In fact some of the ideas were composed by the boys themselves - Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz - over "a ton of dope", though they weren't credited. They are as engaging as ever. And whilst it's impossible to sustain, and does ultimately disappear in a fizzle, there are plenty of eye-catching moments to a good soundtrack - notably the amazing black / white scene of Davy Jones, superbly choreographed to a Nilsson song and stunningly edited between the takes by Michael Pozen.
Some of the archive Vietnam / old TV edits work really well also. Also it's amusingly anti-Monkees - the band are mobbed and pulled apart by fans but turn out to be plastic dummies (as well as anti-corporate, anti-war etc.)
And following all the comments about being manufactured it's nice to see them actually performing live.
It was a total flop; was rediscovered at film retrospectives, and on TV, video and DVD, lately having had a Criterion reissue. I first saw it on TV in 1986 (Channel 4).
I have to say through that the films' montage to the Carole King / Toni Stern number 'As We Go Along' isn't as good as my own.
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