Jack Black and Kyle Gass first met in the early 90's while performing in Tim Robbins' ensemble theatre troupe, the Actors Gang. The two bonded over a shared love for the excesses of 1970's Rock bands, and quickly set to work creating the Greatest Band On Earth. Tenacious D have been plying their trade ever since, unleashing their own brand of surreal, foul-mouthed Rock n' Roll to an ever-increasing fan-base. Now they hope to spread the word to a wider audience, in the form of their first movie, Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny.

The film, which charts the origin and rise of the duo, begins in the suburban childhood home of Lil' JB. While the straight-laced family sits down to eat, the 10 year old serenades them with an outrageous self-penned ditty entitled "Kickapoo". JB's father (Meatloaf) punishes the 10 year old severely for his love of Rock n' Roll, which flies in the face of the old man's Christian ethics. Later that night, an apparition of rock legend Ronnie James Dio appears in Lil' JB's bedroom, urging the young lad to run away to Hollywood.

After years of travelling in the wilderness, an older JB (Black) finally rocks up in Hollywood, California. It is here that he meets failed busker KG (Gass), and the  Tenacious D legend is born. After a muted response at the Open Mic Night at Al's bar, the newly formed D realise they are missing something; an essential ingredient that will make the band truly great. This desire for greatness leads them to one of Rock n' Roll's darkest secrets; The Pick Of Destiny. The pick � a long lost shard of a demon's tooth � gives its owner magical powers, and has led to some of music's biggest successes. JB and KG decide to travel down to the Fort Knox confines of Rock n' Roll History Museum, to steal the Pick and claim its demonic properties as their own. Little do they know they are about to unleash the force of the Pick's original owner.

This is a lovingly crafted slice of absurdity, driven by frenetic performances by Black and Gass, and a rock opera theatricality that would give Tommy a run for its money. From beginning to end, it refuses to take itself seriously, but never comes across as lazy. The plot is somewhat incoherent, but this doesn't do any real damage to the film. Like a Cheech and Chong movie with better gags, you just have to go along for the ride. Even if stoner humour and 70's Rock aren't quite your cup of tea, there's always a car chase, a run in with the mythical Sasquatch and a  musical face-off with a malevolent demon to keep you happy. Cameos from legendary rockers Meatloaf, Dio and Dave Grohl, along with appearances from Ben Stiller and Tim Robbins, add further aplomb to the proceedings. Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny is an enormously enjoyable shaggy dog story with a rocking soundtrack; perfect distraction for a cold winter night.