Review: ‘The Rocker’

Travis:

There was a time I dreamt of being the drummer for a rock band. Not just any old drummer, but the best. There’s an allure to the wild and violent act of pounding the Hell out of an instrument and creating rhythm and music. Alas, my short-lived run at learning to to play came to an end years ago … I do, however, find great joy in watching others and living vicariously through their achievements.

So, you must be wondering why I am babbling about my failed efforts as a drummer. Truth is, I was shocked and amazed at how convincing Rainn Wilson was in his drum-playing ability, or at least his performance giving the audience the perception that he can actually play the drums. Yes, the movie was funny … I’ ll get to that soon enough.

Rainn Wilson plays “Fish” … A talented, sometimes over enthusiastic drummer for an 80’s rock band called Vesuvius. The band members are best buds and love what they do, but when their manager sends Fish out for beer he announces to the rest of the band that they’ve been offered a big deal … The only catch is they have to ditch Fish and bring on the record exec’s son as the new drummer. When Fish returns, he finds out he’s been duped and enters into a hilarious berserker fit of rage as he chases down the band van on foot and attacks Wolverine style. Years later, Fish finds what he believes is his second chance through his nephew’s high school rock band. The movie takes off from here, following Fish’s attempt to regain the spotlight he once cherished.

I knew Wilson would be hilarious, but his performance came off both silly and sincere at the same time. ‘The Rocker’ had many laugh out loud moments, some subtle, some clever or sarcastic and some just so outright crazy that they become classics on their own merit … Like the scene when Fish is preparing himself for his first live performance in 20 years. Fish suddenly appears to be getting sick, then vomits in his own hand. He places the fresh mess in his pocket and when his high school band mates cringe with disgust, Fish explains “Its a pre-show ritual. Some like to carry a rabbits foot. I prefer to rock with a pocket full of puke.”

[rating:4/5]

Ram Man:

Are You Ready to ROCK?! Rainn Wilson is in the new comedy “The Rocker”. Director Peter Cattaneo brings us this tale of a man  becoming  a responsible adult  meanwhile retaining  his inner youth.  Early in “The Rocker” it has the feel of a bad hairband skit or back stage at a poison concert. Saturday Night Live Alums Fred Armison and Will Arnett along with  Bradley Cooper tease up their hair, put on the make up and become the faux band Vesuvius!

Rainne Wilson is Fish (Robert Fishman) the drummer and backbone of local rock band Vesuvius. One night following a gig the big Label comes calling and Vesuvius is heading for Stardom..there is only one catch, they have to lose the drummer. So the band deliberates for 30 seconds and agrees to fire Fish. He doesn’t take it well! He becomes a monster, something between the six million dollar man and Jason Vorhees. He chases the rest of the band down and vows to kill them all! Vesuvius becomes the next KISS and Fish reverts to Robert Fishman, call bank attendant and hum drum worker bee. Fish vows never to rock again. All is going smoothly until Fish looses his job (a Co-worker was playing the new Vesuvious Cd and Fish beat him and destroyed the office) and is forced to live in his sisters attic (Jane Lynch from 40 Yr. Old Virgin).

Fish’s nephew Matt (Josh Gad)  is the keyboard player in his own band A.D.D. The band is fronted by guitarist/singer Curtis (Teddy Geiger) and bassist Amelia (Emma Stone). They are in danger of loosing their first gig at the prom because their drummer is grounded. So Matt decides to talk his Uncle Fish into sitting in.   After they literally bow up the prom, Fish, an accidental   hit on YOUTUBE as the Naked Drummer,  decides to ROCK again and   take A.D.D. on the road. Curtis’   Mom (the very fine Christina Applegate) goes along so there is at least one adult to supervise.   Thing go well and A.D.D. is also signed to a major record label and has a major concert…opening for Vesuvious at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame! Fish Freaks Out! He can’t do it which jeopardizes the band, their tour and his new relationship with Cutris’ mom.

The Rocker was a pleasant surpirse. It was a comedy that the entire family can enjoy. The soundtrack is good original music from Teddy Geiger along with a cover of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes”. Rainn Wilson holds his own in his first real Headlining gig! The movie is like being back stage at a KISS show only this time I wasn’t so drunk I couldn’t walk. Go check out the new comedy The Rocker…unless your just too old and scared to ROCK!

[rating:4/5]

Michelle:

This  lighthearted comedy, which  almost parallels the life of  the  “King of  oh-so-close rock stars”, former Beatle drummer Pete Best (who  has a cameo), features Rainn Wilson (The Office) as a failed drummer booted off the tour bus on the eve of his former band’s  rise to mega-stardom and then  gets  a second chance after joining his nephew’s high school band, A.D.D.,  twenty years  later.

Wilson’s unique  style is really taking shape with this animated performance and he’s starting to find his niche in the world of comedy.  Surprisingly Jason Sudeikis’s (SNL)  work as  the band’s goofy manager,  poppin’ zingers like “John Lennon is rolling over in his grave to hide the giant boner you just gave him!”, is laugh-out-loud  funny.  A.D.D.’s infectious tunes were really liked by the movie’s target audience, my own 10 yr old drummer. Even with its expected, formulaic ending, ‘The Rocker’  is  more than  just a dumbed-down teen comedy and filled with toe-tappin’, rockin’  scenes.

[rating:4/5]