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The Rocker

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The Rocker (2008)

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Reviews Counted:117

Fresh:46

Rotten:71

Average Rating:5.1/10

Consensus: With a predictable and lightweight story, the earnest efforts of the cast are squandered by The Rocker's bland script.

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Comedies

US Box Office: $6,339,401

Synopsis: Slovenly drummer Robert "Fish" Fishman (THE OFFICE's Rainn Wilson) is booted out of his 1980s hair metal band, Vesuvius, right as they're signed to a big label, crushing his dreams and leading to a... Slovenly drummer Robert "Fish" Fishman (THE OFFICE's Rainn Wilson) is booted out of his 1980s hair metal band, Vesuvius, right as they're signed to a big label, crushing his dreams and leading to a 20-year stretch of office park employment. A second chance comes in the form of his overweight teenage keyboardist nephew (Josh Gad) who needs an emergency drummer for his band's gig at the prom. It's an odd match--an '80s metal guy in a teen emo-lite band (their name is A.D.D.)--but he's soon offering fatherly counsel to fatherless boy singer Curtis (Teddy Geiger), giving hair gel tips to the foxy bassist (Emma Stone), and working to get the band a club gig. Soon A.D.D. is signed to the same label as Vesuvius, poised for major MTV-stardom, all leading to a big arena spot as the opening band for the dreaded Vesuvius. Fish needs to overcome his tantrum-throwing ways and step up to the kit, if he wants to impress Curtis's hot mom (Christina Applegate) and outrock his former colleagues. A cross between rock star fantasia à la SCHOOL OF ROCK and the Will Ferrell School of man-child comedy, THE ROCKER benefits from tight editing and pretty decent songs. Real-life musician Geiger saves some rough stretches with his easygoing charisma, while Peter Best (the drummer dropped from the Beatles and hence the quintessential "dumped drummer") makes a cameo. It's directed by Peter Cattaneo of THE FULL MONTY [More]

Starring: Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Jeff Garlin, Teddy Geiger

Starring: Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Jeff Garlin, Teddy Geiger, Emma Stone, Josh Gad, Jane Lynch, Jason Sudeikis, Howard Hesseman, Bradley Cooper, Lonny Ross, Will Arnett, Fred Armisen

Director: Peter Cattaneo, Anthony B. Richmond

Director: Peter Cattaneo
Screenwriter: Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky
Story: Ryan Jaffe
Producer: Shawn Levy, Tom McNulty
Director: Anthony B. Richmond
Composer: Chad Fischer
Studio: Fox Atomic

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for The Rocker

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Delivers what it promises and satisfies the filmmakers' objectives (even if it isn't my kinda movie), and despite its many predictable elements, has enough entertainment value to have elicited applause from the preview audience

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/04/08
Andrew L. Urban
Andrew L. Urban
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Just the feelgood movie that everyone needs at the moment.

Full Review Source: Sun Online | comment Comment
10/17/08
Sun Online

Worth your hard earned money if you’re looking for some entertaining light entertainment.

Full Review Source: Heart 106.2 | comment 1 Comment
10/17/08
Heart 106.2

may not rock your world, but it's a sweet little fable that doesn't trouble itself with reality

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
08/19/08
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

The plot is ultrapredictable, but under the gentle direction of Peter Cattaneo the movie somehow works.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
08/20/08
Andy Spletzer
Andy Spletzer
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Director Peter Cattaneo will probably never repeat his Full Monty success, but even in its mediocre patches one senses a renewed eagerness to entertain.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
10/17/08
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

How much you ultimately like The Rocker will inevitably depend on how much you like Wilson. And a little goes a long way.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
08/20/08
Bill Goodykoontz
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic

Predictable, but fun.

Full Review Source: Illinois Times | comment Comment
08/24/08
Charles Koplinski
Charles Koplinski
Illinois Times

There's enough innocent charm and dumb optimism here to pad the movie's lighthearted pokes at humor.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
07/27/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

...an agreeable, sporadically hilarious comedy that benefits substantially from the almost uniformly strong performances.

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
02/06/09
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

The Rocker is certainly not This Is Spinal Tap, but it is fair to moderate entertainment and Rainn Wilson holds it all together energetically.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
10/17/08
Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm
This is London

Makes up for a lack of gut-busting moments simply by being genial and smartly written. The Rocker is a minor, feel-good entertainment. It's not rocket science, but its heart is in the right place.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
08/19/08
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

A great cast, solid writing, some poppy head-bopping tunes and a story full of warmth and laughs often makes up for its sometimes predictable high concept plot.

Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
08/18/08
Edward Douglas
Edward Douglas
ComingSoon.net

Essentially covering the same playlist as Jack Black’s School of Rock, The Rocker is a good-natured, live-the-dream lark in which the one-liners score hits but the slapstick continually misses.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
10/17/08
Elliott Noble
Elliott Noble
Sky Movies

It's modestly entertaining, occasionally funny, and generally agreeable. I just don't think Wilson should quit his day job yet.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment 3 Comments
06/17/08
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

This satire about an aging heavy metal drummer finds a good comic rhythm.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
07/28/08
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter

I'm a drummer. Drummers aren't dorky. They are the heart and soul of a band, solid, dependable. Drummers aren't clueless or socially awkward. Guitarists on the other hand ...

Full Review Source: Tri-City Herald | comment 1 Comment
08/20/08
Gary Wolcott
Gary Wolcott
Tri-City Herald

The conflicts that arise are highly predictable. But there are plenty of funny moments, as well as a sweet subplot involving the unkempt drummer and the guitarist's no-nonsense mom.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
08/20/08
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

The Rocker has the requisite vomit, the view of some very unfortunate hind quarters and the suds. It's also got a vein of sweetness and charm.

Full Review Source: Wall Street Journal | comment Comment
08/22/08
Joanne Kaufman
Joanne Kaufman
Wall Street Journal
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Breezily directed by The Full Monty's Peter Cattaneo, this amiable comedy features a solid supporting cast and the original songs, written by Chad Fischer of 'Superman' fame, are surprisingly good in a hooky, power-pop sort of way.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
08/20/08
Ken Fox
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide
 
 
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