“Super Duper Alice Cooper” is the first full length movie on Cooper’s life that is now currently available on DVD format. Courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment and produced by Banger films, the movie is a detailed orientation of the original pioneer of shock rock. The film depicts a Jekyll and Hyde saga. The shockumentary (as Cooper himself dubs it) is authorized by him and starts from his humble beginnings, at the place of his birth, Detroit MI. At an early age, the family moved west to Arizona due to Alice’s chronic upper respiratory issues. The story continues, and takes us through his former bands; Ear Wigs, The Spiders, an eventually Alice Cooper. Here’s some trivia; the band name was taken from a Ouija board outcome one particular night. However, could the Ouija have predicted that Coopers involvement with the GTO’s (an organized gaggle of groupies led by Pamela Des Barres) would lead Alice to a meeting with Frank Zappa , who in turn, signed them to his record label? Perhaps it was written in the stars. Moving ahead, the band itself found its manger in Shep Gordon. In fact, Shep is still managing Alice today. More interesting insight revolves around how Vincent Furnier adopted the name Alice Cooper and constructed a persona around it. This persona likely contributed to the band being labeled as the first “villains” of rock. What do Mae West, Groucho Marx and Salvador Dali have in common? They were all huge influences on what became the group’s theatrical stage show, and it is all depicted in the movie.
The bulk of the documentary chronicles Alice’s drug and alcohol abuse along with the making of the first few albums. The movie was well done, as it is narrated by Alice with commentary by Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) and longtime friend Bernie Taupin (Elton John collaborator), in addition to former band members. It also includes how his wife Sheryl came into his life and what it took for her to help him get sober.
My only complaint is the movie just ends circa 1986 or 1987, coincidentally right when Alice returns from his 5 year absence, transformed into the new and sober Alice. It should have included more of what had happened until present day. However, Bangor films did do a nice job describing the story with that era’s photos and narration.
There are bonus features that are not included in the movie, which include deleted scenes where Alice talked about having to practice in the Arizona desert because they were so loud. It also reflects on how they met their managers and their love of Detroit. Other clips focus on the meeting of Salvador Dali, Alice’s “hiatus” from being “Alice,” and his marriage to Sheryl. In addition, there are other various clips which total over 20 minutes. The rare footage, which is also part of the bonus footage, includes 11 minutes of varied interview clips. The third part of the bonus feature includes the interview conducted for the VH1 Classic Metal Evolution series, however these clips did not make it to the final airing of the documentary. This part totals over 11 minutes also.
Fans of rock, and especially Alice Cooper, will enjoy the hour and 40 minute story of the legendary Coop. If interested, fans can already purchase the movie by going to Super Duper Alice Cooper Movie.
