A-ha: The Movie

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A-ha: The Movie

2022

1h 49m

Documentary

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

When a-ha's breakthrough hit Take On Me shot to 1 on the Billboard charts in 1985, it turned its three young band members into global superstars overnight. While the iconic song and its groundbreaking music video remain ubiquitous to this day, the story of a-ha didn't end there. After 35 years, a deep catalog of 11 studio albums and 55 million units sold -- despite controversies and disagreements -- a-ha continues to record music and play to packed arenas around the world. Following Mags, Morten and Pal over a period of four years, a-ha: The Movie provides unprecedented access to the inner workings of the band as well as a career spanning look at one of the most enduring and beloved acts in pop music history.

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Critics Consensus

a-ha: The Movie offers an absorbing, unvarnished account of the often fraught creative dynamic between the veteran pop trio.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

A-Ha: Blah blah blah.

Jan 9, 2024

Full Review

Edward Porter

The Times (UK)

It’s not, however, one of those music documentaries with enough drama to entertain general viewers.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 24, 2022

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

There’s a notably maudlin tone here that complements the film’s central idea, which is that A-ha still have huge potential. If only they could stop fighting.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 2, 2022

Full Review

Jared Mobarak

Hey, Have You Seen ...?

Add numerous conversations about image, evolution, and mistakes and the film provides an informative portrait that excels despite its lack of stereotypical Drama. As they say, no one cares about the arguments but them. The songs are what get remembered.

Rated: 7/10

Mar 31, 2023

Full Review

Chris Wasser

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

Stubbornly sketchy.

Rated: 3/5

May 25, 2022

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Victoria Luxford

City AM

It may have been better put across in a shorter runtime (nearly two hours will be testing for non-fans), but it’s an illuminating look at pop royalty that will leave you better informed and humming that famous opening riff.

Rated: 3/5

May 25, 2022

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Julian S

There’s a restraint here that invites reflection, but in the end, it reveals just two things: A-ha are more musically gifted than they’re often credited for—and they’re likely not on good terms.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/20/25

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David F

This documentary about the well known one-hit-wonder from the 80s starts strong, with a biographical view of the origins of the band and their big hit - Take On Me - but then it just got lost in the weeds of backstage footage, reunions, autograph signing, and tangential hobbies pursued by the band members in their dotage. This is really for true fans only.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/27/24

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Mars

Im not so much rating he movie here - which was quite miserable in tone - but rather the band members. As a lifelong fan it was a hugely exciting to finally get a sustained look at them. Entitled, embittered, resentful - parricularly Harket - of fans. Its ruined A-ha for me. I can no longer hear the music ive loved in the same way. I hope the film was umrepresentative of the band. They approved it however.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

11/04/23

Full Review

dave d

If every documentary on musicians was as honest and showed the warts with the good I'd be into these fluff docs. However, when it comes to the full story of A-ha, the documentarian takes a detailed and insightful approach. The issues that were brought up made sense and made the film feel real which is rare in films of this type. I wasn't a fan of the subject, but am of music and pop. The bottom line is this is an interesting film and well worth watching. Final Score: 8.7/10

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved it! it's easy to forget just how big A-ha were back in the 80s, and they are still touring to this day. Wonderful back catalogue of fantastic music - this film is a must-see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Chris H

My Favorite band of all time, great music , great talent , seen them live 3 times and I live in New Zealand - been a fan since 1985 and this movie is an epic tale of this great band.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/22

Full Review

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Thomas Robsahm

Director

Aslaug Holm

Director

Morten Harket

Self

Magne Furuholmen

Self

Pål Waaktaar

Self

Aslaug Holm

Co-Director

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Synopsis

When a-ha's breakthrough hit Take On Me shot to 1 on the Billboard charts in 1985, it turned its three young band members into global superstars overnight. While the iconic song and its groundbreaking music video remain ubiquitous to this day, the story of a-ha didn't end there. After 35 years, a deep catalog of 11 studio albums and 55 million units sold -- despite controversies and disagreements -- a-ha continues to record music and play to packed arenas around the world. Following Mags, Morten and Pal over a period of four years, a-ha: The Movie provides unprecedented access to the inner workings of the band as well as a career spanning look at one of the most enduring and beloved acts in pop music history.

Director: Thomas Robsahm, Aslaug Holm
Producer: Tore Buvarp, Thomas Robsahm, Yngve Sæther, Esther van Messel
Screenwriter: Thomas Robsahm
Distributor: Lightyear Entertainment
Production Co: Deutscher Filmförderfonds, Amarcord, Nordisk Film & TV-Fond, Kinescope Film GmbH, NRK, Nordmedia, Neue Impuls Film GbR, Fenris Film, Arte, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, Norsk Filminstitutt, Motlys
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 8, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 29, 2023
Runtime: 1h 49m

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