Blu-Ray Review: "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne"

The life of John Michael Osbourne, better known as "Ozzy," has been chronicled on film numerous times.

From the 1991 documentary "Don't Blame Me" to VH-1's "Behind The Music" and 52 episodes of the mega popular MTV reality series "The Osbournes."

With so many hours of Ozzy you would think that there would be nothing left to know about this legendary rock icon. Well that's what I thought as well until I watched "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne."

This new direct to home video release is a revelation and gets deeper into the mind and career of Osbourne like no documentary I've seen before. The film was produced by Osbourne's son Jack but by no means is this a loving portrayal of dear old dad. "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" pulls no punches and Ozzy's family members are more than willing to tell you that Osbourne was not always a good father or husband. Tales of physical abuse inflicted upon wife Sharon and Ozzy's lack of parenting skills during all his children's formative years are discussed at length with Osbourne himself confirming that the stories are in fact sad but true. Osbourne has regrets about his past actions but makes no excuses for his past behavior and freely admits that he was in a bad place for much of his life.

The story of Ozzy Osbourne's rise, fall and rise again are told through interviews with everyone from his former (and current) Black Sabbath band mates to his siblings and children. Even Aimee Osbourne, Sharon and Ozzy's eldest daughter, who refused to take part in "The Osbournes" television series and is rarely seen on film or in pictures makes her screen debut. Aimee is obviously the "Marilyn" of this "Munsters-like" clan and provides a calming presence to this otherwise wild family with her many insightful and intelligent comments.

Highlights of the film include Ozzy going back to England and seeing the home and tiny bedroom where he grew up and Ozzy's hysterical pre-concert regimen which includes a whopping "5 minutes of physical exercise."

Now obviously any documentary about Ozzy Osbourne is going to include stories of drugs, more drugs & rock'n'roll but for me the one downfall of this documentary is the inclusion of Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee.

Tommy Lee tells a thoroughly gross story of Ozzy's drug induced debauchery that takes place in a hotel room. It's not the fact that Lee "tells" the story it's "how" he tells it. Lee's gleefulness in telling a story that is 20 years old was disgusting. You would think that a 50 year-old man would realize that the events of Ozzy's past should be looked at as sad and not with a sense of giddy pride! Instead, Lee tells his tale like a stupid Fratboy in his freshman year of college. I so wish the producers would have left this knucklehead on the cutting room floor and out of this great film. Do yourself a favor... when Lee appears on screen hit the FF button of your remote.

I also would have enjoyed more behind the scenes information on the making of Ozzy's post Randy Rhoads albums and heard from some of the musicians who contributed to those recordings but that is a minor quibble.

The Blu-Ray also includes a bunch of great bonus features such as deleted scenes, a visit to the Tribeca Film Festival and a Q&A with Ozzy and his son Jack.

All in all a great documentary that concludes with Ozzy clean, sober, driving and even praying... "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" indeed!

Drumroll please... 8 out of 10 headless bats!!!