Rock Star

Rating:
Summary: Well Done
Review: This movie was very well done in every way. I just watched it for the first time and was not expecting much from it. The end result was a good story, awsome acting and even fun with the twist and real life band comparisions. The story is based on for the most part Judas Priest. Judas Priest lost their original vocalist and found their replacement frrom a cover band. Anyway see this movie and you will not be disapointed.

Rating:
Summary: superficial but entertaining film
Review: So what happens when a person's dreams actually DO come true, especially when the context of that dream turns out to be superstardom in the celebrity driven culture of modern America? Does that individual, in attaining the summit of fame and fortune, find true happiness and fulfillment there or does he come to realize that it is all mere ashes in the long run?

These questions have formed the basis for any number of films in the past and "Rock Star" doesn't bring much new insight to the theme. However, in style and spirit, this film by director Stephen Herek is just loopy enough to be entertaining. Although writer John Stockwell provides a basically superficial - and in some ways even sanitized - survey of the rock star culture, at least we are spared some of the heavy-handed rebel angst that usually accompanies films on this subject.

From the beginning, the film incorporates elements that go against the grain of the subject matter. For instance, the main character, Chris Cole, is less a wannabe rock star than an obsessed devotee of his favorite rock band known as Steel Dragon. Chris emulates the band's adored lead singer to such an extent that the people around him - including his own band members who spend most of their time covering Steel Dragon's tunes - begin to feel that Chris might actually be having trouble distinguishing reality from fantasy, that he may actually be coming to think that he IS his idol. The screenplay also breaks out of the mold by having Chris's parents be supportive of his endeavors and by making Chris himself a rocker without a societal chip on his shoulder. Chris simply loves rock music and the band that he feels has come to epitomize it for him. Unlike in most of these stories, the lead character is not an ambitious, driven, trailblazing artist but rather a follower content to bask in another person's glory.

Until fate one day intervenes in an astonishing way and Chris gets that rare chance to live out his ultimate life fantasy. He receives a call from the leader of Steel Dragon who has heard Chris's renditions of their songs and offers him a job as replacement for the burnt out lead singer, Chris' idol. At this point the film lapses into more familiar territory, with Chris and his girlfriend taking the inevitable downward spiral from wide-eyed innocence to the hedonistic trap of unbridled sex, drugs, booze etc. - and all the interpersonal strain this places on once-solid relationships. Happily, "Rock Star," although it shows all these conventional aspects, doesn't go overboard into total despair and misery as so many previous films on this topic have. In fact, it is surprising just how upbeat the film remains even in its darkest moments. Even though that adds to the superficial quality of the film, it also keeps it from becoming fashionably cynical and clichéd.

Mark Wahlberg gives an energetic performance as Chris and Jennifer Aniston conveys a real transcendent sweetness as Emily, Chris' devoted girlfriend. One ends up not believing a minute of "Rock Star" (at least not after that fateful phone call arrives), but it has a nice fairytale quality nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: An very Entertaining film about the Up and Rise of Music.
Review: When amateur Rock Singer (Mark Wahlberg) has been asked to Replace a Rock Singer in a British Rock Band named Steel Dragon. His Dream to Becoming a Rock Star comes True for the Best and the Worst of his life.

Directed by Stephen Herek (Critters, Mr. Holland Opus, 101 Dalmantiens) gives a good story here, written by John Stockwell (Crazy-Beautiful) and the Good Use of Widescreen Cinematography by Ueli Steiger. Mark Wahlberg is Quite Good in this Role and he also Sings quite Well, since he was a Ex-Rapper, this is a Fine Underrated Dramatic Comedy. DVD has an fine anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an good Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD Extras are a Running Commentary Track by Director:Herek, Behind the Scenes Featurette, Cast & Crew Information and Tralier. This is a Good Showcase for Wahlberg Talent. Panavision. Grade:A-.

Rating:
Summary: Wasn't what I was looking for
Review: I was hoping this movie would show the brotherhood of being in a band, since I'm so tired of the typical ego battles that go on with bands. Sure you can't have a band movie without some kind of adversity, but it would have been nice to see them triumph or come together in the end. I think an episode of "Behind The Music" was more interesting than this film. I agree with the other reviewer that Mark Wahlberg can't carry a movie like Billy Crudup did in another band movie "Almost Famous"
If your looking for a good heavy metal band movie, hope that "Hysteria:The Def Leppard Story" comes out on video someday.

Rating:
Summary: Not Worth It
Review: This movie was interesting to watch for a night, but NOT own.
Walberg pulls it off (even vocally, according to the credits) as lead singer in a tribute band, turned famous by a reversal of fortune. The band he once covered asks HIM to be their new lead singer. The motto of his life on stage being "I was once just a fan like you, staring at posters of "Steal Dragon" on my wall, and now I'm living my fantasy!". Hip Hip Hooray for Chris (Walberg). He is the only part of this movie that works.

The script lacks severely in many places. Is it a comedy? Is it a drama? You are never quite sure. I laughed through the first 25 minutes, relishing Chris's scenes with his older brother who is a cop, but soon the movie lost it's entertainment value.

I was also disappointed with Jennifer Aniston...she could never quite convince me she wasn't Rachael Green in 80's clothes. Her role as Chris's girlfriend should have been more sexy. Maybe Charlize Theron, in heavy make-up could have pulled it off.

I think the most fun I had in the movie was looking for Mark Walberg's "third nipple" through the body make-up (it's true! I swear). He was topless through most of the scenes and still sexy even clad in leather and mascara. Now that's entertainment.
(It's hard not to be sarcastic about this movie)

If the casting, script, and directing were better, this could have made it to four stars. I think the initial plot was humorous(I hope it's supposed to be), and I think Walberg is phenomenal, but the movie was a huge disappointment with a fabulous soundtrack. It's a renter. Make sure when the credits run to the sound of "Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch's" music you take notice of all the guest appearances and song performances...there are some real surprises.

Rating:
Summary: What do people want from movies???
Review: I don't get it. The criticism of this movie baffles me. A metal movie about "a wannabe who got to be" could have very easily fallen into an excuse to display throngs of scantily-clad women. Instead, it successfully takes a normal kid with some talent and leads you through his experience. That it's not "Citizen Kane" is not the point, and a ridiculous expectation. Are moments formulaic? Of course. Does it still work? YES!!! Loved the music. Loved the serious treatment of the genre. Loved the potrayal of the rockers as real people who get caught up in the ready temptations of the "Rock Star" life. Loved "ROCK STAR".

Rating:
Summary: Get Cozy..Because "This Is Entertainment"!
Review: Ok....get the popcorn and beverages out..cause you're in for a treat...I'm not a heavy metal fan at all--but when the song " Stand UP" was on, I actually rewound the scene a few times and was singing along..and the plot keep me very interested. I was suprised at the intelligence of the story line. And yes, it is a "lesson to be learned" type movie. And what's wrong with that? Most movies now a days leave you with a sense of "what a waste of time and money". Mark Wahlberg was convincing to me for the RockStar part and showed a lot of guts to "STAND UP" to what he believed in. I saw the movie over again just for the music parts....I recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: OOPS I DID IT AGAIN
Review: Yes bought a really bad movie. Yes it's that bad. Don't even waste your time or money. Would't even watch it again if it came on HBO. I would of gave it no stars but it wouldn't let me.

Rating:
Summary: NEED PIRATE VERSION RECUT WITH "GLITTER"
Review: Mariah Carey's much maligned "GLITTER" and Mark Whalberg 's "ROCK STAR" are insulting films but the stars are actually OK in thankless roles. What I am secretly hoping for is that someone with a hi-end Mac with DVD-write and copy encryption bypass will edit these two films into one coherent whole that intercuts the lives of these two self-centered, sappy, desperate-for-fame characters into one blazing farce about lost opportunities and big lungs. What a great bootleg enterprise for some audacious digital pirate.

Rating:
Summary: Overall, a good story.
Review: I was really tentative about this movie at first. Did I really want to relive the big-hair 80s metal band era? Oh, why not. Its harmless fun. So I did. And I enjoyed it.

Rock Star works because it doesn't take itself too seriously, even if Chris Cole (Mark Wahlberg) does. Through a strange twist of events, Cole becomes the lead singer of his favorite metal band, Steel Dragon. He fits right in because its a role he's practiced all to well fronting the Steel Dragon tribute band, Blood Pollution.

There are all sorts of sub-plots that meander here and there, none of which add much to the film, but they don't seem to detract from it either. I think the thing that makes this film work for me is the chance to live vicariously through Cole. No matter what decade you grew up in, if you liked music, you wanted to be the lead singer of your favorite rock band. This movie lets you watch a kid who got to live that dream, and it was fun to watch.