We admit it: We still like Motley Crue. And so does Sam Dunn, the filmmaker responsible for the surprisingly charming documentary “Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey.” We were lucky enough to see the film on its recent stop near YuppiePunk World HQ, but no self-respecting metalhead should miss it if it makes the pilgrimage to their dirthead-friendly city.

The film is a crash course in all things metal, running the gamut from its British origins in Deep Purple and Black Sabbath to the segregated sub-genres of modern metal and Slayer, Slipknot and Emperor. But above all else, the film is a love letter to Dunn’s favorite kind of music. Along the way, he interviews loads of metal icons like Tony Iommi, Alice Cooper, Bruce Dickinson, Rob Zombie, Lemmy, Ronnie James Dio and a slew of others.

The doc also has segments on metal fashion, the PMRC, groupies, and a fascinating glimpse into Norwegian black metal, complete with church burnings, Satan worshippers and intra-band murders. It does a good job exploring the vast landscape of metal, but that’s also the movie’s downfall. In attempting to be all things to all metal fans, it draws itself a little thin; frankly, we would have enjoyed watching a documentary on nearly any of the chapters within the film. But ultimately this paints a loving portrait of a much maligned genre. Metalheads will enjoy the stroll while non-metal types will undoubtedly learn a thing or two.

It’s currently making its way across the country. Find out whether it’ll be hitting your town here, and if it is, put on your leather jacket, squeeze into your spandex and throw a pair of metal signs into the air.

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