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Director: Stephen Herek
Release Date: September, 2001
Rating: R for language, sexuality and some drug content.
See it on Amazon
 More 80's metal than you can shake a stick at
I think the only way to appreciate this movie is if you lived during the 80's. The heavy metal scene of that era is something that has intrigued and sickened just about anyone who witnessed it. It's very hard to capture the spirit and mentality that was birthed out of that lifestyle.
Rock Star almost catches it.
Sort of a true story
The film is loosely based upon the true story of Tim "Ripper" Owens, the salesman who replaced Rob Halford in the heavy metal band Judas Priest in 1996.
In the film, Chris "Izzy" Coles (Mark Wahlberg) becomes the new lead singer for his favorite band Steel Dragon. This all takes place the day after he is kicked out of his own band which was dedicated to covering Steel Dragon songs.
After wanting to be like someone else his whole life, Chris Coles is quickly thrown into the life he has dreamed of. With the heavy metal comes the usually drugs, partying, and sex, followed shortly by a man trying to discover his true self in a world of absolute mayhem.
Almost catches the true spirit
Heavy metal bands died out in the beginning of the 90's because they were just too predictable. We all knew what we were getting: long hair, beer, devil signs, whiny guitar solos, and a screechy voice that would annoy anyone's mother. Rock Star is just as predictable.
Although Rock Star catches the predictability, it misses the main theme of that era: there never was a happy ending. All the drugs, beer, arrests, and group orgies always lead to an eventual downfall that was hard to recover from. I may be generalizing here, but most of those bands ended in utter self-destruction. This was due to the general "live for today" mentality that monopolized the scene.
Rock Star's fairytale ending misses that theme.
Even with the lame ending people who grew up in the 80's or who are just heavy metal fans will enjoy this movie. If you do watch it, be sure to crank up the speakers so that the neighbors can hear it - that's what the music is there for.
Related Links:
Rock Star Official Site
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