Rock Star

2001

Action / Comedy / Drama / Music

44
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 59% · 128 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Spilled 59% · 50K ratings
IMDb Rating 6.3/10 10 46861 46.9K

discontentedness and displeasedness rock star success heavy metal relationship problems

Plot summary

A wannabe rock star who fronts a Pennsylvania-based tribute band is devastated when his bandmates kick him out of the group he founded. Things begin to look up for Izzy when he is asked to join Steel Dragon, the heavy metal rockers he had been imitating for so long. This film is loosely based on the true story of the band Judas Priest.

Director

Stephen Herek Photo
Stephen Herek

Top cast

Mark Wahlberg Photo
Mark Wahlberg as Chris 'Izzy' Cole
Valerie Landsburg Photo
Valerie Landsburg as Concert After-Party Guest
Jennifer Aniston Photo
Jennifer Aniston as Emily Poule
Michael Shamus Wiles Photo
Michael Shamus Wiles as Mr. Cole
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
807.31 MB
1280*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 45 min
Seeds 2
1.64 GB
1920*1080
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 45 min
Seeds 30

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by t_atzmueller 5 / 10

„Boogie Nights" for Metalheads (despite "Boogie Nights" being a way better movie)

When singer Rob Halford announced that he would leave his band, „Judas Priest", many a Heavy Metal fan felt that the end of the world was nigh. After all, "Judas Priest" was one of the most influential Metal bands, having determined what Metal looks and sounds likes, even today. Halford claimed, after twenty years, the music (for him) had stagnated, that he wanted to find a new sound and that he was sick and tired of having to hide his homosexuality (which surprised very few fans, for whom Halfords sexual orientation has always been an unspoken secret). "Judas Priest" hired young, aspiring Tim "Ripper" Owens, an impressive singer in his own rights and lifelong "Priest"-fan.When "Rock Star" arrived at the cinema, many "Judas Priest" fans where ecstatic: the movie was rumored to have been based on Tim Owens short-lived career as "Priest"-singer.Essentially the movie is about every music-lovers dream come true: what would happen if you'd become the singer of your favorite Rock band? Unfortunately, to the clear of mind and reason, the answer would be painfully obvious, even blatant: euphoria and disillusion would go hand in hand, many drug-fueled parties would be followed by many painful hangovers, tour-life would take it's toll on personal relationships, and in the end one question would raise it's ugly head: is it all worth it? The film "Rock Star" is as blatant, streamlined and obvious as reality.As to the acting: Mark Wahlberg does a convincing job, despite actually having a Pop / Hip Hop background; Jennifer Aniston plays her role as boring and mediocre as we'd expect from her and Dominic Wests limited range stands in stark contrast to Wahlbergs performance.It doesn't help much that part of "Steel Dragon" consists of real musicians (ex-Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, Jeff Pilson and Jason Bonham, the son of legendary "Led Zeppelin"-drummer Jon Bonham). Most musicians (and their fans) come across as the most stereotypical Metalheads since "Spinal Tap".Speaking of Metalheads: the Heavy Metal scene is extremely complex, with many sub-categories, ranging from Melodic Metal over NWoBHM, Crossover to Thrash-, Black- and Death Metal, etc. The average Metalhead would identify "Steel Dragon" as an arch-typical US-Hair-Metal band, sound and appearance owing more to bands like "Ratt" or "Motley Crue", rather than a "True Metal"-band like "Judas Priest". Even the name "Blood Pollution" would be something adopted by a Death Metal or Grindcore band; but rather unlikely for a band depicted in the film. A little more research would have obviously benefited the picture.Even though it's an enjoyable hour and a half but offers little-to-no fresh revelations or insights into scene, industry or even the musicians themselves. The film will essentially disappoint the average European Metal-fan – especially the fans of "Judas Priest". Hence, a mediocre 5 points from 10.
Reviewed by Platypuschow 6 / 10

Rock Star: I should have liked this more

Rock Star tells the story of the lead singer of a tribute band who get's to live out his dreams on a much grander stage. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Aniston, Timothy Spall and Timthy Olyphant it certainly doesn't lack star power.As you'd imagine being a movie about classic/glam rock the soundtrack is fantastic, right up there among the best of them though shatter any illusions you may have that it was Wahlberg singing.It's big, it's stylish and to my knowledge it's pretty damn accurate so why am I not rating this higher? I like the cast, I'm an old school rocker myself and on paper this should be a guaranteed tick in the win column from me.The construction of a movie is simple, you need a beginning a middle and an end and Rock Star has that but in a rather disjointed way. The films construction is my biggest grip, it comes across more like a Behind the Music episode than an actual movie. The protagonist walks away having learned several life lessons but the viewer (Or rather in this viewers case) it felt more empty than it should have.Rock Star is an interesting enough look at a subject rarely touched upon by the mainstream Hollywood movie industry but perhaps needed an additional 30+ minute to really flesh it out.The Good:Great castAwesome soundtrackSome brilliant visualsFirst movie ever to make Timothy Spall a successful "Good guy"The Bad:Olyphant feels wastedOddly builtI struggled to feel for our leadsThings I Learnt From This Movie:Jennifer Aniston holds the secret of eternal youthThey could/should have found Wahlberg a better wigBallet is where rock stars go to die
Read more IMDb reviews

6 Comments

Be the first to leave a comment