Rock & Rule

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'

The re-dubbed American cable edit is absolutely horrible. It rips the heart and soul out of the movie - right from the intro where Mok's code isn't referred to as "satanic", to the removal of almost all of the drug references, and the absolutely horrible replacement voice for Omar (the guy doesn't hold a candle to the original voice actor). Get the 2 disc version from Amazon with the uncensored Canadian version, you won't regret it.. the original movie, as intended.

I think the problem with this movie, ever there ever really was a problem, is that it isn't a kids movie, nor is it particularly well written or clever to be much of an adult's animated feature, but it works well for teenagers (as I was one when I first saw it, many years ago on the CBC late night movie). Given the time the movie was made animation was still thought of as "kid's stuff", or simply dirty (Say Fritz the Cat), and this movie really falls into the grey area between those extremes. Poorly marketed, no doubt, but the American cable edit exists because of this failure to the realize the market.

I first saw this movie back in '85 on HBO and I LOVED it! (I managed to tape it, but someone stole it from me!) The art is great, the music superb, and the storyline is intriguing! I've managed to find some of the songs online (with alternate lyrics) I agree that its a shame that Nelvana doesn't seem to think releasing this on DVD is worthwhile. I managed to find a genuine VHS copy at a flea market (for $3) back in '94 and I've held on to it ever since!! :) the box is very worn and slightly damaged, though. Rock and Rule is on a par with some of the best Anime on the market today! I showed it to a local Anime club, and they loved it and asked where they could acquire a copy as well...See Nelvana? You could still have a moneymaker there.....

In a post-apocalyptic future, (or if you watch the Candian version, "Another time...Another place) Mok, a legendary megolaniacal rock superstar who appears to have fallen somewhat, but not totally out of flavor, kidnaps Angel, a new female rocker, to sing for him to open a portal into a darker dimension. It's up to Angel's band mates to save her from Mok's evil clutches in this Canadian produced animated sci-fi musical. The story and plotting seem a bit on the archaic side, but the music is superb (escpecially from Lou Reed and Debbie Harry) and the animation is pretty good. That's enough to make me recommend this film, but I still believe that the earlier "Heavy Metal" is a better overall experience.

My Grade: B-

DVD Extras: Disc 1) 77 minute version; Commentary with Directory Clive Smith; 24 and a half minute Making of; Character sketch Gallery; Restoration Comparisons Disk 2) 81 minute CBC version; "The Devil and Daniel Mouse" short; a Making of said short; "Drats" work print; Rock and Rule Title Workprint; more sketch galleries; Theatrical Trailer; and Trailer for "Electric Dragon 80000V"

DVD-Rom content: the original screenplay in .PDF format

Well, I can see that here is about the same as in the real world, about three people have ever heard of this movie. That's a shame too, the Cheap Trick songs alone make it worthwhile. I would have to say if you stumbled upon this and have never seen it go try to track it down if you are into animation or good ol' Eighty's rock. Great story, great animation, great voiceovers, great songs = great movie. In my opinion, I would have to put this movie above Heavy Metal in comparison with viewability. This movie I could watch over and over, Heavy Metal always puts me to sleep near the end now. That is probably because this is one complete story instead of some short stories put together for a movie.

10 out of 10 here... By the way, to all you aspiring animators out there; can you guess what they used to give the Creature that gelatinous look? (Yeeech, you probably don't want to know)