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Reviews
STAR RATINGS EXPLAINED
Unmissable 5 Stars
Excellent 4 Stars
Good 3 Stars
Poor 2 Stars
Tragic 1 Star

FILM DETAILS
Certificate
12A
Cast
Rainn Wilson
Josh Gad
Christina Applegate.
Directors
Peter Cattaneo.
Screenwriters
Running Time
102 minutes

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The Rocker
Young, dumb and full of drum...


Plot
A failed drummer who is given a second chance at fame when he's invited to join a teen rock band.

Review
The Rocker

Rainn Wilson's first big-screen leading role sees him slip into tactical spandex as he plays sweaty rocker Fish (no relation to Marillion’s), who’s booted out of ’80s metal band Vesuvius just as they hit the big time. After 20 years of hurt, his nephew gives him a chance to relive his dream, by playing the drums in a high school rock band. Cue flamboyant fills, furious bouts of head-banging and a string of rather flat gags — like the floundering Fish playing his drums naked, unaware that the world is watching via video phone — as he bids for rock ’n’ roll redemption. Imagine a heavier School Of Rock, without the smarts and charm.


Verdict
Lightweight but likable.


Reviewed by Will Lawrence

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Your Reviews

Average user rating for The Rocker
Empire Star Rating

RE: School of Rock 2 - sort of...

Fish (Rainn Wilson) is kicked out of 80s rock band Vesuvius, Cut to 20 years later, where he is working a dead-end office job while his former bandmates have gone on to massive superstardom. Then his nephew band A.D.D needs a drummer to play and we see the rise of his new group A.D.D. I was expecting it to be good but it turned out to great fun. It's great to see someone other than Jack Black playing a role like this. Well done Rainn Wilson, Great supporting cast as well also the music rocks as... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by Starscream at 20:28, 18 October 2008 | Report This Post


School of Rock 2 - sort of...

This was the "surprise" movie at the Edinburgh Film Festival. It's okay but nothing that special, basically School of Rock 2 just with older kids and less of them. There's a few moments that will make you laugh aloud but most jokes will raise a smile and no more. It's pleasant enough, inoffensive stuff with a likeable performance from Rainn Wilson - even if he's just channeling Jack Black. The younger cast are fine but forgettable but Christina Applegate is good value as a Yummy Mummy (just don... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by Scruffybobby at 10:44, 19 August 2008 | Report This Post



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