Customer Reviews

Rock Star [VHS]

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(55)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

First of all let me start off by saying that although Rock star didn't do very well at the box office, I thought it was a lot of fun and it made for an enjoyable hour and three quarters viewing. Loosely based on the life of Tim `Ripper' Owens, the office supplies salesman who replaced Rob Halford in Judas Priest, Rock Star combines satire, morality, romance and a good old fashioned rags to riches storyline.

So what's the plot? Salesman and ordinary working stiff Chris Cole (Mark Wahlberg) and wannabe rock star has been obsessed for years in his devotion to British heavy metal band Steel Dragon. As part of a tribute band, he is derided by his older brother who feels he should get a real job and his devotion to mimicry is so much that even his fellow tribute band members are sick of him, and they eventually dump him. Comforted by his patient and devoted girlfriend (Jennifer Anniston) Chris swears that he will prove them all wrong but he even he is shocked when he is invited to audition as the replacement singer in the band he adores. Of course he wins the gig and so begins a journey through the world of a rock idol, full of drugs, groupies, drink and general excessive behaviour.

I'm not quite sure why this movie wasn't that successful. Sure it's not the greatest movie you will ever see and it offers no original insight but there's also very little to dislike about it. Critics may complain that it's neither full on satire such as `This Is Spinal Tap' or that it is full of clichés but this is a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously and does not try to portray reality. Mark Wahlberg is perfectly cast as Chris Cole and Jennifer Anniston gives a very pleasing and likeable performance as Chris's loyal girlfriend, whilst some of the supporting turns (particularly from Timothy Spall as the seen it all before manager) are excellent too. Stephen Herek's direction is perfectly paced and unlike most modern movies it is not overlong and it feels shorter than it actually is. It has some truly excellent moments and you could do much worse than to check this out on a Saturday night.

For what it's worth, "Rock Star" is an enjoyable fantasy yarn about an aspiring musician who makes it to the big time, only to realize that it's not all about sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll. Sure, the concept is surely not fresh, and the lack of purpose that plagues the movie keeps it from truly soaring. But despite its flaws, it manages to entertain through its bright cast, wonderful execution, and delightful sense of humor.

Carrying the lightweight story on his shoulders like a guitar case full of memories is young Chris Cole (Mark Wahlberg), a twenty-something grunge rocker who still lives with his parents, and gets his jollies by recreating the sense of excitement an audience gets from attending a Steel Dragon concert. Insisting that his band is a "tribute band" rather than a cover band, Chris idolizes the band, particularly the lead singer, Bobby Beers, whom he looks, sounds, and acts like on stage.

With the support of his mother and father, as well as his longtime girlfriend Emily (Jennifer Aniston), Chris finds comfort in his fanaticism, perhaps too much comfort. His drive to recreate each song specifically and correctly makes him overbearing in the eyes of his band members, who, after an on-stage brawl, decide it's time for Chris to walk.

In any other movie, this would be the complete story, ending with reflections by each of the characters on how their experiences together shaped the rest of their lives. But in the world of "Rock Star," this is only the beginning. Just when Chris begins to give up his dreams, he gets a call from none other than Kirk Cuddy, one of Steel Dragon's guitarists, offering him a chance to audition as the new lead singer. He heartily accepts, flies out with Emily to meet the band and begins to get into the life of a rock star, all the while paying little notice to his past life, which slips away more and more each day.

This cautionary turn of events that begin to cloud the jubilance of Chris's lifestyle is a well-known tactic used by many other films that bear the routine grass-isn't-always-greener-on-the-other-side warning. The film shows us both the glamour and the depression of this lifestyle, from the excessive drinking and parties where Chris is surrounded by adoring female fans, to a scene in which Emily is told by the wife of another band member that since Chris is a rock star, "the normal rules don't apply." At times, however, I got the feeling that the movie is warning against the rock-and-roll way of life it has been embracing all along.

So what is the film's position? Neither, really; its inability to take a stand for or against this lifestyle is bothersome only if you allow it to be. If you can put this inconsistency aside, you'll find that there's a whole lot of fun to be had with the movie. Some impressive work is done in creating a fictional 80's rock band, complete with long, tossed hair and mascara during performances, screaming guitars and singing that resembles a screeching tire. It may not be as authentic a recreation as, say, the era of "Almost Famous," but it gets the job done with fashionable results.

Mark Wahlberg has always been a versatile actor, and proves his worth with this role. As Chris, he manages to convincingly segue from a controlling perfectionist obsessed with precisely recreating Steel Dragon, to a legend at the top of his game and the bottom of his personal life. It's nothing stellar, but he carries it so well, with all the brazen charm of an 80's rock idol/sex symbol. Of the band members, Timothy Spall's character is the most memorable, a humorous mix of wit and longing for the stability of his past. Jennifer Aniston practically steals every scene she walks through, crossing moments of real emotion with some of the film's funniest one-liners. At one point, a groupie begins talking about G-strings gaining more respect for exotic dancers, to which Aniston replies, "Nothing says 'respect' like cramming a strip of Lycra right up your a--."

There's an air of familiarity that hangs over the movie that is hard to ignore, but what keeps it from becoming too formulaic are its wonderful cast, its comedic wit, and its interesting premise. There's nothing totally hardcore about it, but it hardly matters, since we already know this is going to be an uplifting movie rather than a downbeat adventure of self-discovery. As a cautionary fantasy, "Rock Star" is too routine to remain with one for long, but while you're there, it's quite an experience.

This movie is a must for your collection, especially if you're fan of BIG HAIR ROCK. I grew up with the type of music this film is based on. I thought Mark Wahlberg did an amazing job of capturing the essence of a Heavy Metal frontman. He had the perfect swagger and look. Even if you aren't a huge fan of Metal, I'm sure at one time you've fantasized about being a rock star or some type of entertainer, right? I'm sure you'll be able to relate to the story of a guy who sings for a tribute band of his heroes, eventually getting the call to front the ACTUAL band. Jennifer Aniston and the cast of real life rockers like guitarist Zakk Wylde and Third Eye Blind's Stephan Jenkins are all great too. Oh and by the way... the soundtrack CD is also excellent, with original music from the film's band, Steel Dragon and classics from KISS, Bon Jovi and others. For a fun film ride I enthusiastically recommend ROCK STAR! Enjoy!!!

Many other reviewers have described the plot of this rags-to-riches parable set in the world of 80s rock and roll. It's best, as many have mentioned, to take the film for what it is, and to enjoy its many positives.

Key among these positives is the skill of Mark Wahlberg, who, in this reviewer's eyes, has never let a movie down. Wahlberg plays the hard-rock naif whose ultimate fantasy comes true when he is tapped as lead singer of his favorite band, Steel Dragon. From his initial audition, where he is so frightened and awed that he is unable to sing for several minutes, to his first concert, where he falls down a dramatic staircase on stage, to his wide-eyed first encounter with a hotel room full of willing groupies, he makes us believe. And that talent allows him to rise above the predictable script and to shine.

Jennifer Aniston plays his devoted manager/girlfriend, and she, too, gives a good performance within the impossible confines of her character. She is likeable and appealing as she watches her man drawn away from her into the evil world of sex, drugs and rock and roll, unable to get him back and unable to make him see what is happening to him as a man and an artist.

The movie plays well, the band is pure 80s, from the sound to the hair to the wretched excess, and the music is fun. There is nothing profound or memorable in the script, but as a viewer, I have to quote Mick Jagger: "It's only rock and roll, but I like it!" Check your mind at the door and enjoy.

The way people are ripping this movie is ridiculous. This movie is GREAT!

I don't understand why people go on and on about it being "predictable" etc. etc. To expect something totally unpredictable is not appropriate for this movie. This movie is intended to show an accurate look into the rock and roll lifestyle of the mid 80's. There were many mid 80's rockers that were consulted for this movie, so it does come out to be fairly accurate.

You have to take this movie (or any movie for that matter) for what it is and what it intends to portray. So many people on here are going off ripping this movie because it didn't give them what they "wanted" or "expected" or didn't align with their "personal preferences". Such shallow perspectives shouldn't even be considered when evaluating this movie.

Definitely WATCH this movie and ENJOY it! The music is great too...

As you can tell from the previews, "Rock Star" is a movie about a hard core fan who gets to live out his fantasy by replacing the lead singer of his favorite band. Who would have thought that Mark Wahlberg could pull off the role of the main character, a long haired, "devil-sign" gesturing, head banging, rocker? Well he did, even the dubiously cast Jennifer Anniston made a pretty good rocker chick.

So here's the story: Chris Coles (Wahlberg) LOVES the band Steel Dragon and the lead singer Bobby Beers....so much so that Chris dresses like Bobby and even sings in a popular Steel Dragon tribute band. Chris is very talented and can mimic Bobby precisely. Anyway, Bobby leaves the band, Steel Dragon calls up Chris for an audition (they saw a tape of his cover band and were impressed), Chris gets the jig, and now he is living out his fantasy-- to be a rock star.

But Chris got a little more than he bargained for-- he didn't think about all the drugs, booze, and women that came along with the deal. His longtime girlfriend and manager, Emily (Jennifer Aniston), didn't account for all the drug orgies either and eventually she leaves Chris to pursue a career of her own. Emily leaving starts the ball rolling and Chris begins to realize that being a rock star isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Even though "Rock Star" was a typical and fairly predictable rags-to-riches story it was still very enjoyable. It was delightful seeing Mark Wahlberg rock out and scream/sing power ballad lyrics...if he was really singing then I'm doubly impressed. The soundtrack for this movie was incredible-- I had a hard time sitting still and not rocking out in my seat, heehee. I thought the movie had a fairly good message, find your own voice and be true to yourself, and I really enjoyed it.

Yeesh, just awful. Someone at the movie studio woke up one morning and said " I have an idea, that Ripper Owens story would make a great movie! Let's hire a lead 'actor' who is famous/infamous for being a cheezy disco/rap sissy, Trevor Rabin who has never played metal before in his life to write the soundtrack, hire a writer who admittedly knows nothing about the 80's metal scene..." well, you get the idea. A film that knows it's subject can really be effective at transporting you to a time and place, Dazed and Confused or Almost Famous for example. The whole thing feels real, because the director feels a real affection for the subject. This film is merely a lame soap opera with a very unrealistic 80's metal scene as it's incidental setting. I was in bands in those days, and let me tell ya, this movie is about as authentic as an ebay autograph. It's more than obvious that the filmakers had nothing but contempt for the whole affair, as was evidenced by it's god-awful ending. You know, the part where Marky-mark decides to eschew all the superficial shallowness of the stadium metal scene to become a "relevent. honest alterna-hippie". He is convincing as neither. The nadir of dreadful moviedom. Jennifer looks terrific in black leather miniskirts though.

Not even the talented Mark Wahlberg can make this mess worthwhile. It seems like movies like this are always written by guys who have never been in a band who merely attempt to guess what it must be like. You couldn't find a more cardboard story if you tried. Predictable from beginning to end with dialogue so bad that it's almost fascinating. The cliches are strung together much like a children's "connect the dots" coloring book and the songs only add to the laughfest. Imagine (God forbid!) If Quiet Riot recorded an entire movie soundtrack. There are standard speeches on how "dreams do come true" and "believe in yourself" and "love is more important than fame or fortune". There is one surprisingly good moment in the film however where Mark Wahlberg is in the audience singing louder than the lead singer himself which surprises the entire band. A good moment indeed but otherwise this belongs in the 99 cent pile. A generic title doesn't mislead. At least cornball movies like Flashdance make you want to dance. The 80's hard rock hayday deserves a better treatment than this.

I remember seeing the preview to this movie at the theaters months before its release. I got goosebumps. The music sounded great, and the content looked good, but when the preview was over, I expected the movie to cater to only a small percentage of the population. I also expected it to suck.

When I finally saw Rock Star, I couldn't believe how much I liked it. Yeah, I was a head banger in the 80s, and becoming a rock star was my dream, but this was, by anyone's account, a good movie. It basically has everything: good actors, a great soundtrack, and a plot that will put a smile on anyone's face.

One might expect the movie to get "ugly" simply based on the content, but there really was no downside. It was actually quite uplifting.

If you like fun movies, consider this movie. If you like 80s rock, this is a must have!

I can't believe some of the generous reviews below towards this movie... After watching it, it became completely clear to me why Judas Priest did not want to get its name associated with this thing...

The movie is a parody, but abad one. Let's see why:

1) WHy on Earth they included RAinbow's LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL and Def Leppard's ROCK ROCK as being STEEL DRAGON's originals, if you had the great Trevor Rabin taking care of the music????...
2)Why always only the singers in STEEL DRAGON get fed up with the rock and roll lifestyle and the other four member don't?
3) Why they chose to portray a POP METAL band, and not a straight ahead metal band like Iron Maiden or Motorhead??

Well, enough. AS with racing driver movies, producers just can't get to know how to sht a movie dealing about rock / metal (exception: ALMOST FAMOUS, that simply blows ROCK STAR apart!...)