Rock Star [2002]

So what's the plot? Salesman and ordinary working stiff Chris Cole (Mark Wahlberg) and wannabe rock star has been obsessed for years in his devotion to British heavy metal band Steel Dragon. As part of a tribute band, he is derided by his older brother who feels he should get a real job and his devotion to mimicry is so much that even his fellow tribute band members are sick of him, and they eventually dump him. Comforted by his patient and devoted girlfriend (Jennifer Anniston) Chris swears that he will prove them all wrong but he even he is shocked when he is invited to audition as the replacement singer in the band he adores. Of course he wins the gig and so begins a journey through the world of a rock idol, full of drugs, groupies, drink and general excessive behaviour.

I'm not quite sure why this movie wasn't that successful. Sure it's not the greatest movie you will ever see and it offers no original insight but there's also very little to dislike about it. Critics may complain that it's neither full on satire such as 'This Is Spinal Tap' or that it is full of cliches but this is a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously and does not try to portray reality. Mark Wahlberg is perfectly cast as Chris Cole and Jennifer Anniston gives a very pleasing and likeable performance as Chris's loyal girlfriend, whilst some of the supporting turns (particularly from Timothy Spall as the seen it all before manager) are excellent too. Stephen Herek's direction is perfectly paced and unlike most modern movies it is not overlong and it feels shorter than it actually is. It has some truly excellent moments and you could do much worse than to check this out on a Saturday night.


ROCK STAR - The Best !   June 17, 2002
Mrs. G. R. Baldwin (Spalding LIncolnshire UK)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I was very keen to see this film when it was on at the local cinema, and was not disappointed. In fact I liked it so much I could not wait for the Region 2 DVD release, and ordered the Region 1 version immediately, and also the soundtrack album. I have enjoyed watching it several times, you notice something new each time, The atmosphere at the concerts is tremendous, and the acting is too. Mark Wahlberg plays a thoroughly nice guy who is suddenly granted his greatest wish, to front his favourite band Steel Dragon. Jennifer Aniston gives a terrific performance as his very supportive girlfriend and manager. This is a film that has been reviewed in all the DVD magazines,and I think they have criticised it most unfairly. It is a brilliantly produced film , with good acting, great music and it makes you feel good too. Don't take any notice of the DVD magazines, give it a try, it's really worth watching , many times !!!


Will appeal to everyone's inner rock star   July 17, 2003
Richard Beenham
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

The problem with films featuring "live" concert sequences is that it always looks and sounds fake - the performances are obviously lip-synched to backing tracks and the result is somewhat less than convincing. This is the main problem with "Rock Star". The concert sequences are supposed to convey the excitement of a live gig - and to a certain extent they do - yet Mark Wahlberg is obviously miming to a voice that clearly is not his, and this ruins the effect altogether.
That niggle aside, there is much to enjoy here. Anyone who has ever daydreamed about swapping the drudgery of everyday life for the life of a rock star will relate to this tale, loosely based on the story of Tim "Ripper" Owens, who went from singing in a Judas Priest tribute band to actually replacing Rob Halford as lead singer of Judas Priest.
Mark Wahlberg surprises with a nearly convincing performance (I say nearly due to the aforementioned lip-synching discrepancies) as the dreamer plucked from a dead-end job and a part-time existence singing in a tribute band to his heroes, Steel Dragon, to actually replace his hero in the real Steel Dragon.
What follows in this 80's-set comedy drama is fairly predictable but fun nonetheless. Jennifer Aniston provides solid support as Wahlberg's grounded girlfriend who quickly tires of life on the road, and Timothy Spall is wonderful as ever as the wise (if a little lecherous) road manager.
For me, though, the most touching performance came from one of the film's non-actor stars - Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin's John, a drummer who played on much of the film's soundtrack and appears as Steel Dragon's drummer. In a short scene between him and Wahlberg, he encourages him to "live the life" - whilst hooked up to the dialysis machine to which his "living the life" has led him. This short speech is delivered with such pathos and natural skill that he outshines his co-stars, and in many ways it sums up the general point of the film - that there is a definite dark side to the outwardly glamourous life of the rock star.
Other than that, it's formulaic but fun. There is many a cliche to be seen (yes, a TV does get thrown out of a window), and the 80's metal soundtrack will almost have you regretting chopping off your mullet.
But it does suffer from a sense of deja-vu - after all, after "Spinal Tap", what more can be said about the 80's rock scene? That, and Wahlberg's atrocious lip-synching (are we really expected to believe that it's actually his voice we are hearing?) let the film down. Otherwise, it's enjoyable fare and may well have you thinking "If only..."


Excellent!   June 1, 2002
Jiri Hasman (Breclav,Czech Republic)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Obligatory for all Mark Wahlberg fans!By day Chris Cole(Wahlberg) repairs photocopiers. By night he takes the stage as frontman for a tribute band emulating Steel Dragon, the world's hottest heavy-metal band. Then, suddenly, opportunity rocks: Chris is tapped to become Steel Dragon's new lead singer. Just like that, he goes from small-town nobody to megastar. Just like that, he and his manager/girlfriend Emily(Jennifer Aniston) enter a world crazier than eigther imagined. Stephen Herek directs this knowing, chord-crunching, hair-whipping look at 80's arena rocks and the price of Fame. Filled with the style, strut and feel of an era, Rock Star gets right. Long may it shine.Simple funny story. Mark Wahlberg brilliantly play role Chris Cole in this movie.Wahlberg played and sing!Listen soundtrack with fictious band Steel Dragon (Wahlberg sing)or Chris Cole Band(lead singer Wahlberg) and much more band : Bon Jovi, Kiss and much more!


Rock Star   August 22, 2002
3 out of 6 found this review helpful

WOW, this tribute to rock and roll of the 80's basically kicks ass, it was flawless, with an amazing soundtrack. Those who say this is predictable, are very right, but only because it is based upon a true story about one of the famous 80's bands (i forget which). All of the cast play perfect roles. It shows the rock lifestyle down to the last gross detail (how cool!). This film was backed and approved by the above un-named band, the scenes which were a little far-fetched have all been cut, so watching this you will get the best depiction possible of what it is like to be a 'Rock Star'. Hat's off to all those that buy this and play it at full volume, i know my neighbour hates this film now, for that exact reason... ROCK ON!