Various

Release The Bats DVD (2005)

Matt_Whelihan

Release The Bats consists of video footage that was "deemed unfit for Fall Out Boy's My Heart Will Always Be The B-Side To My Tongue" and combines "Jackass"-styled pranks, stunts, and skits, with some musical performances.

Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy is responsible for most of the film. He directs, films, and participates in most of the action. The other members of Fall Out Boy aren't seen very often, but instead Pete's friends take up most of the on-screen time with CKY-like antics.

The film gets slow at points, but packs plenty of hilarious (as well as cringeworthy and nauseating) moments. You get to witness everything from Wentz drinking his own piss and a friend eating his own vomit to a group of people shooting fireworks at a guy on a mini-bike with a knight's helmet on his head, exploding tennis balls, horrible stage dives, and mischief with a paintball gun.

What are really disappointing here are the musical performances. Besides Fall Out Boy's short clips in Japan and Detroit, the other bands all have the album version of their songs playing over the live footage. So instead of getting a live performance you get what looks like a cheap music video for bands like Gym Class Heroes, Armor For Sleep, and Underoath. Even Fall Out Boy's performances, which utilize the actual live sound, don't fare much better thanks to a poor vantage point on the side of the stage.

If you are looking for some laughs check this out, but if you are looking for live performances, you will be disappointed.