Rock & Rule

I was never fortunate enough to catch this film on the big screen. However, I did see it on cable in '86 and have been keeping my eyes open for a copy ever since. Having found an old bootleg recently, I was pleased that the animation is still truly amazing and has held up well over the years. The soundtrack is equally fine. Being a fan of stories with an apocolyptic bent, I really enjoyed this particular film. My friends and I still quote various parts of the film even after all this time. While the story is a little short, I feel it captures some of the frustration of being in a small-town band that is trying to break out. That and the fact this band must battle a vast evil is an interesting angle. Please won't someone re-release this diamond in the rough?

A very well made animated film that has garnered a cult following. The animation was groundbreaking for its day. The film features music by Cheap Trick and Blondie but the songs never seemed particularly awe inspiring to me. I enjoyed the storyline, and the post-apocalyptic style of the film worked well and fit with some of the humor in the film. The animation is very psychedelic in the way it is presented, and this unique added a lot to my enjoyment of the film. Overall, I thought it was a very fun film.

I have to say, I was very excited when I learned that this movie was going to be released on DVD. I vaguely remember seeing this as a 10 year old in the 1980s and being impressed (granted, as a 10 year old).

So I rented it last night and was overall disappointed, but I must say its probably because I had over-hyped it with my own cloudy memories. I found the animation and the general artwork to be very impressive. The songs were fantastic, especially "My Name is Mok", but I found the characters to be generally annoying and the story lacking much development. Mok was the only character who was interesting and entertaining. Omar was a self-absorbed narcissist who doesn't give the audience a reason to empathize. Omar's companions were overly juvenile as were Mok's assistants.

The story has a great basis--dangerous post-apocalyptic world of mutants. But we don't really get much of a feeling for this world beyond the initial set-up. Also, we know that Mok wants to raise a demon, but why? Did I miss it or is it never really stated? I assume he wants to dominate the world, but it seems to me that he pretty much does already.

Overall, the movie is lacking character development and follow through on the story. The music is fantastic and the animation is great. Its kind of a mixed bag. I only wish it had lived up to my expectations.

It's 'Fritz the Cat' meets 'The Devil and Daniel Mouse' meets 'Heavy Metal' I was astounded at the level of animation and love that went into this film. I can't even believe that I had never heard of it before watching it now in 2016. It is absolutely 80's "retrotastic", with the soul of 'Fritz the Cat', the animation and story of 'The Devil and Daniel Mouse' and the atmosphere of 'Heavy Metal'. Anyone who loves the 80's and the animation it brought, of the likes of, Don Bluth, Ralph Bakshi and the team of animators from 'Heavy Metal' and the Nelvana animation production house, will love this film.

Also, with Don Francks (Dr. Claw on Inspector Gadget 1983) as Mok; and Lou Reed as the singing voice in "My name is Mok", is freaking awesome.

Cheap Trick also played many of the heavy tracks of the film which seals the deal with this film's immortality, and makes it a "must own" for 80's lover's. Gotta say if you love the 80's and have never seen it, why are you not watching it now. Seriously, wth are you waiting for.

Ah, my childhood in the 80's. I recall staying up until dawn watching the marvel we've come to know as CABLE TELEVISION (which I was still exploring at the time). And THIS was one of those unforgettables they showed at 2am on Showtime (which was actually quite good).

Music fans will embrace this movie for the soundtrack - Lou Reed, Cheap Trick, Blondie, even Earth Wind & Fire! The songs are catchy and upon a couple of listens WILL stay in your head! ***Funny enough, R&R would come off like something you'd hear as a reference in a cartoon like Family Guy (who are FAMOUS for its numerous 80's and pop culture references disguised as "private jokes" for those who "were there.") Peter Griffin (sifting through video collection: "Let's see - Electric Dreams... Heavy Metal... Animalympics... Space Camp... HERE WE ARE - Rock & Rule!"*** Even the film itself has references to Rock & Roll, such as the sinister MOK, who is the "what-if result if you threw Iggy Pop, Mick Jagger, and David Bowie into a blender." EVIL INDEED! :) I won't say it was a 10 though... it's a basic guy-saves-girl story, but one with a rolling plot, gritty animation, and (like I said before) a great soundtrack! I will say it was the better of "midnight movies" I've seen, and I-CAN'T-WAIT for a DVD release (which is rumored to be available in 1st Qtr. 2005)! I hope you get to see Rock & Rule and join us many breakroom "insider jokes" to come (Hot dogs and sushi? You're not my kind).

-Jes'