Essentially a Will Ferrell Lite movie, this toothless comedy has a likeable central performance from Rainn Wilson and several hilariously spiky side characters. But it never quite hits its comical stride.
Comment
10/17/08
The Rocker (2008)
39
%
Tomatometer
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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... [More]
Starring: Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Jeff Garlin, Teddy Geiger
Director: Peter Cattaneo, Anthony B. Richmond
Reviews for The Rocker
One of the problems of Peter Cattaneo's film is not knowing who it's aimed at. Kids won't identify with a bitter old rocker and the middle-aged will be hoping for more satirical Spinal Tap.
10/16/08
Likeable, if predictable comedy, enlivened by strong comic performances from Rainn Wilson and a talented supporting cast.
10/16/08
Wilson has neither the acting chops nor musician's soul to be believable, merely a rip-off of Jack Black and Will Ferrell.
09/27/08
To those moviegoers who’ve expressed some weariness of Will Ferrell and Jack Black always doing what they do: Well, OK, here’s somebody else doing it.
09/04/08
The Rocker neither rocks nor rolls.
08/29/08
There's nothing all that wrong with The Rocker. It's just that it's ordinary to a spectacular degree.
08/27/08
The pratfalls and naked jokes don't eek out enough humor, and Wilson's Fish never becomes someone you can truly root for.
08/26/08
Predictable, but fun.
08/24/08
One of the best things about this film is the insane commitment that Wilson has to get a laugh.
08/22/08
I had a really good time watching The Rocker. I laughed, I tapped my foot to the music, and I reveled in the extraordinary Rainn Wilson.
08/22/08
Wilson's amiably wild-eyed performance hits all the scripted notes in a comedy that is mostly tone-deaf.
08/22/08
It's a slave to formula, and it hits its marks satisfyingly enough to make for a pleasant time-passer, but Wilson and a loaded supporting cast are never as funny as they should be.
08/22/08
The Rocker ends up doing more to whet appetites for School of Rock 2 than it does to actually entertain.
08/22/08
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.
08/22/08
Top CriticI don't doubt you can find some sort of enjoyment in watching The Rocker, but it's just one of those movies you'll forget about in a couple days.
08/22/08
It's totally predictable, but if you've ever nursed a rock-star fantasy at any age, it's impossible to hate this. And the three kids are really good.
08/22/08
As a satire of the music biz and in micro, long-haired heavy metal bands, the film's obviously no 'This is Spinal Tap,' and the new songs are forgettable, just like the overall film, even if (or because) Wilson does a good Jack Black impersonation.
08/22/08
Riff out? Please. This is about as hardcore as a wrestling match between Clay Aiken and Barry Manilow.
08/22/08
Memo to Rainn Wilson: A shot of a paunchy middle-aged man in jockey shorts is not automatically funny. Okay, it kind of is. But The Rocker is as formulaic as a Whitesnake song without the virtue of a four-minute running time.
08/22/08
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