The Rocker
for drug and sexual references, nudity and language.
Reviewed by: Thomas Golden first-time reviewer
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Offensive |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Adults Teens |
| Genre: | Comedy Romance |
| Length: | 1 hr. 42 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2008 |
| USA Release: |
August 20, 2008 (2,700 theaters) DVD: January 27, 2009 |
| Featuring | Rainn Wilson, Josh Gad, Steve Adams, Brittany Allen, Scott Anderson, Aziz Ansari, Christina Applegate, Nicole Arbour, Fred Armisen, Jessica Barrow, Tanya Bevan, Jon Cor, Laura DeCarteret, Ennis Esmer, Mark Forward, Jeff Garlin, Teddy Geiger, Keir Gilchrist, Patrick Hagarty, Howard Hesseman, Ellie Knaus, Jane Lynch, Jonathan Malen, Demetri Martin, Wesley Morgan, Rebecca Northan, Jenna Rocca, Lonny Ross, Talia Russo, Vik Sahay, Simon Sinn, Nick Spencer, Emma Stone, Jason Sudeikis, Richard Wadham, Samantha Weinstein |
| Director |
Peter Cattaneo |
| Producer | Stephen R. Campanella, Shawn Levy, Lyn Lucibello, Tom McNulty, Billy Rosenberg |
| Distributor |
 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company |
“A comedy for the rockstar in all of us”
Well now. My first review ever is on “The Rocker” which could probably better be titled “The Rock,” because it more or less just sits there on the screen.
Rainn Wilson best known for his perfect comedic timing on “The Office” plays Fish, a washed up rock and roll drummer. After being recruited by his nephew to fill in as a drummer for the prom, Fish and the band manage to gain stardom through a YouTube video. As is required of any rock-and-roll themed story, the band has a falling out and have to fight it out with an overbearing music industry executive.
The laughs are pretty forced. One begins to wonder if everything in this genre of silly humor has been exhausted.
Parents should be on the lookout for Rainn Wilson's backside, not essential to anything and really only there for shock value. I believe this is the only nudity to speak of. There is mild language throughout, basically what would be expected of a PG-13 movie. The use of alcohol and some drug references may also offend, but overall this film is mild on all fronts.
The rock-and-roll lifestyle is an indulgent one. There are almost no recording artists out there without a story of how their life got out of control, and they had to start over again after the drugs and alcohol. Parents should talk to their children about living a Christ-centered life. The rock lifestyle is one of distraction from what is holy and concentration on what is “fun.” It looks to the here and now and never to the hereafter.
Another theme, not necessarily in the plot of the movie but surrounding the film itself, is that of greed. We see more and more that Hollywood produces, film after film, that have no real merit to them. Will there be a “Rocker 2”? Perhaps, because content is second to cash for most producers. If it will bring in a modest profit, they will make it. This is not what any art is supposed to be about. Again, this comes down to a Christ-centered existence, in place of a life focused on personal gain.
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions’” Luke 12:15.
I was hoping to write a very exciting review on this film, since it stars some very good actors. Christina Applegate moves up my list of talented actresses every time I see her perform. And the very funny Will Arnett (“Arrested Development”) and Tony winner and “30 Rock” star Jane Krakowski also appear.
I would straight up advise people to steer clear of this. Unfortunately, the film itself is without solid content and leaves the viewer very little to talk about at the end of the day.
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
none
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½