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Head, released in 1968, is an avant-garde musical comedy film featuring The Monkees - Peter Tork, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, and Michael Nesmith. Directed by Bob Rafelson and co-written by Jack Nicholson, it is a surreal and experimental film that breaks from traditional narrative tropes and instead creates a dreamlike, almost stream-of-consciousness experience.

The film begins with a rapid-fire montage of various images, including footage of war and violence, consumerism, and riots. The Monkees are then shown jumping off the famous "Hollywood" sign, leading to a wild and psychedelic journey through different settings and scenarios. Dialogue is sparse in the film, with the focus instead on visual and musical elements that create a disjointed and unconventional narrative.

The Monkees play themselves but are portrayed in a way that is far from their well-known squeaky-clean television personas. The film is a deliberate attempt to subvert their established image, and it does so with great success. There are references to drug use, hints of violence, and a general sense of rebellion against the status quo.

Throughout the movie, characters and scenes shift effortlessly and without explanation, creating a sense of surreality and unpredictability. There are appearances from legendary musicians Frank Zappa, Victor Mature, Sonny Liston, and Annette Funicello, among others, all contributing to the film's wild and unpredictable energy.

One of the film's defining features is its exceptional soundtrack, featuring original music from The Monkees as well as songs from various iconic musicians of the time, including Carole King, Harry Nilsson, and Jack Nicholson himself. The film's opening track "Porpoise Song" is particularly memorable, with its haunting melody and surreal lyrics setting the tone for the film's dreamlike atmosphere.

Despite its unconventional structure and themes, the film manages to touch on important issues of the time, such as the Vietnam War, consumerism, and personal identity. Through its use of satire and humor, it offers a biting commentary on these issues while also managing to entertain and engage its audience.

The film's unique style and themes were initially met with confusion and disapproval upon its release, with many critics and audiences alike condemning it as pretentious and incomprehensible. However, in the years since its release, it has gained a loyal cult following and is now considered a pioneering work of experimental cinema.

In summary, Head is a surreal and experimental musical comedy that subverts the image of The Monkees and creates a dreamlike journey through various settings and scenarios. Its disjointed structure and unconventional themes broke from traditional narrative tropes and offered a biting commentary on important issues of the time. Through its exceptional soundtrack, humor, and visual elements, it has become a beloved cult classic and an enduring work of experimental cinema.

Head is a 1968 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.