rock busters
PLAY TO KILL! TEN CLASSIC USES OF AC/DC ON FILM…
1 ‘Back In Black’ IRON MAN (2008)
Statement entrance, or what? The MCU debut’s opening is owned by the primal thump and no-nonsense swagger of Australian rockers AC/DC. This 1980 monument marked the arrival of new singer Brian Johnson after the death of former frontman Bon Scott. 2 ‘Thunderstruck’ DEADPOOL 2 (2018)
The mouthy merc’s second coming makes devillish use of AC/DC’s 1990 stadium-shaker. If you want blood, you got it: the X-Force members meet messy ends to Angus Young’s RSIinducing hammer-on guitar and Johnson’s throaty terrace chants. 3 ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’ BRIDESMAIDS (2011) 4 ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ PRIVATE PARTS (1997)
Young’s cap flies off (and, er, a woman’s waters break) in excitement as AC/DC cameo in Howard Stern’s comedy. A joyous riff and a whip-keen rhythm section propel AC/DC’s lusty 1980 hit at a duck-walking clip. 5 ‘It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)’ SCHOOL OF ROCK (2003)
Bagpipes rule in AC/DC’s hands. Scott’s snapshot of the lean years is a glorious statement of rock’n’roll resilience, duly honoured by Jack Black in Richard Linklater’s comedy. “Rough and mean,” indeed. 6 ‘Big Gun’ LAST ACTION HERO (1993)
Big car chase, big star, big gun and a song called ‘Big Gun’? Bit much, no? It’s Arnold Schwarzenegger and AC/DC, of course it is. The video for this romping rocker featured big Arnie in Young-patented schoolboy clobber. 7 ‘Gone Shootin’’ BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD DO AMERICA (1996)
Scott’s portrait of a heroin addict is one of his sharpest lyrics. But it’s still AC/DC at their dirty boogie-rock finest, so naturally it goes well with
America’s at defecating first donkeys. morons sniggering 8 ‘Who Made Who’ MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE (1986)
In their choppy mid-1980s, AC/DC made Stephen King’s trucking flop almost salvageable. King wooed the band with a vocal take on ‘Ain’t No Fun (Waiting ’Round To Be A Millionaire)’: AC/DC responded with an 18-wheeler tune. 9 ‘Highway To Hell’ MEGAMIND (2010)
One of the most indelible riffs in rock kicks off 1979’s hit, issued shortly before Scott’s death. In DreamWorks’ superhero satire, Scott’s declaration of rock’n’roll faith backs the blue meanie’s ascendance impeccably. 10 ‘Shoot To Thrill’ IRON MAN 2 (2010)
Need music to skydive to (see also Deadpool 2/Shoot ’Em Up)? Let there be AC/DC. As fireworks pop, the hell-for-leather groove, staccato riff and explosive chorus of AC/DC’s big swinger fit Tony’s cocksure landing like a metal glove. Kevin Harley