Rock and Rule
List Price:
Our Price: $11.75
You Save: $3.24 (22%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $5.94 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Catherine O'Hara, Don Francks, Maurice LaMarche, Samantha Langevin, Susan RomanBrand: Ventura Distribution
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 77 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-11-24
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Unearthed Films
DVD Reviews of Rock and Rule
DVD Review: One of the most underappreciated animated films ever made
Summary: 4 Stars
I had never heard about this movie until I saw the DVD at a local video rental. "Rock and Rule" is a Canadian animated film from the 1980's that was made by Nirvana Studios, and was almost going to be a children's film except the filmmakers took a lot of liberties with the storyline and content, turning it into a more adult film. (and by "adult" I don't mean porn, but subject matter like drugs and swearing) Because there wasn't much of a market for adult animated films back in 1980's America the film was a flop and the animation studio nearly went out of business. They were clever, though, and made money through several succesful cartoon shows. Know what cartoon shows they worked on? "Inspector Gadget," "The Care Bears"...just to name a few.
The film itself is set in an apocalyptic world years after World War III. Rats, cats, and dogs have evolved and live a life among the ruins. In the city of Ohmtown resides rockstar genius Mok Swagger. (a major satire of Mic Jagger - in fact, I've heard his lawyers threatened to sue the studio) His musical career is going downhill, and his last concert was not as succesful as it should have been. (there were two empty seats) Because of this Mok vows to win back his fans and rule the world, discovering that if he can find the perfect voice to sing the right notes, then he can resurrect a demon from an alternate dimension. He attends the concert of a four-person band and hears the singing of Angel, the sole female of the group. She is the right voice! He invites the group to his mansion and kidnaps Angel, heading off to "Nuke York" to have the concert of a lifetime. The three other band members (including lead singer Omar, who loves Angel) head to Nuke York to rescue Angel. Meanwhile, Mok's world domination attempt fails and he realizes that to have enough power to resurrect the demon he has to use the power station in Ohmtown. Hence the plot thickens...
As you can probably tell from the previous paragraph, (if not its first two sentences) this movie is very different from any other film you've seen, animated or otherwise. What was my initial reaction to it? Well, admittedly it was quite mixed. The story tends to meander, especially around the Nuke York part, and at times you're left wondering if the filmmakers became overindulgent in what they had. However, I think another reviewer put it best when he said that while you're initial reaction is a bad one, this film quickly grows on you. As I've said it's very different, but it's also very well done. The characters are all well realized and stand out on their own in a quirky way, from Mok as the villain to the "French Canadian sailor" who has only a few minutes of film time. The world is also well realized, and from the mighty power station of Ohmtown to the housing complexes clinging to the destroyed ruins of the Statue of Liberty you really do get a feel for this world. I have to also admit it was VERY well animated. Expect the fine animation you'd see in any big budget Disney film and you'll get it. I really do commend the fellows up at Nirvana for the work they did in regards to that.
Some might compare it to "Heavy Metal" because of the use of music throughout the piece. Yet unlike "Heavy Metal," which used music in the background, "Rock and Rule" incorporates the music with the characters. Lou Reed is the singing voice for Mok, Deborah Harry from Blondie is Angel's singing voice, Cheap Trick provides the singing voice for Omar, and Iggy Pop sings for the demon. (and don't worry, I won't forget the great Earth, Wind and Fire, which made a fitting song for the dance club) All the singers fit the characters and are close to their voice actors, and I'm happy to say "Debbie" Harry is good as Angel's singing voice, so you do believe it when Mok finds her the best suited.
The DVD I'm reviewing is the special edition one, not the 2-disc set. Any one who was a lifetime fan of this movie will love the DVD release. There are character sketches of all the players, small or big, and includes concept artwork of their early designs. There's a commentary by director Clive Smith, which was an excellent listen as he goes into detail about how the film was made, and I'm happy to say he comes across as a pretty cool guy. (he's constantly complimenting those who worked with or under him) The only thing that took me aback was the making-of documentary, which seemed to focus a lot of attention on the more famous singing voices rather than the lesser-known voice actors. While Lou Reed deserves credit for "Triumph" and "My Name is Mok," I think Don Francks deserves even more credit - he stood out among everyone else and quite frankly I think he made the character of Mok work.
A rare gem - I would definately suggest people check this movie out, especially if you are fans of animated films. Even if your first reaction is lukewarm, be like me and give it a second shot. Trust me, it deserves it.
Description of Rock and Rule
In this acclaimed, animated rock and roll feature, Angel, a member of a punk rock band in the apocalyptic future, is kidnapped by Mok, a legendary super rocker. Obsessed with an evil experiment, Mok plans to use Angel s voice to summon a demon from another dimension. The rest of the bands follows Mok to Nuke York in an attempt to rescue her and then the ultimate battle of good vs. evil begins.Although it featured songs by Debbie Harry, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Cheap Trick, and Earth, Wind & Fire, Rock and Rule (Canada, 1983) never received a general US release. Set in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by mutants, the underdeveloped story centers on the rock star Mok and his efforts to summon a demon from another dimension. Only the voice of aspiring singer Angel can cross the dimensional barrier and free the monster. Mok pursues Angel through series of chases and concerts that produce complications involving her true love/singing partner Omar and his band. Clive Smith's direction is simply inept: the story plods along listlessly; the characters change motivation on a dime; the crude CG special effects are squandered in minor scenes, rather than used to punch up the climax.
Rock and Rule reflects the confusion of the animation industry in the early '80s. Yellow Submarine and Fritz the Cat had proved there was an audience for hip, edgy animated features. But nobody could make a good one, and a series of bombs caused animation to be labeled box-office poison. More than 20 years later, Rock and Rule holds a curiosity value for fans of old rock, but it's not a memorable film. (Rated PG: violence, grotesque imagery, brief nudity, alcohol, drug, and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon
Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Pirates Of Dark Water: The Complete SeriesWarner; Published: 2010; DVD
Best price: $23.48
Price in other shops:
![Battle Beyond The Stars [Roger Corman's Cult Classics] Image](/images/Battle-Beyond-The-Stars-Roger-Corman-Cult-Classics-B004VT9JLM-X.jpg){kind=small}
Battle Beyond The Stars [Roger Corman's Cult Classics]VIS; Release date: 2011-07-12; DVD
Best price: $10.89
Price in other shops:
Starcrash (Roger Corman Cult Classics)VIS; Release date: 2010-09-14; DVD
Best price: $13.08
Price in other shops:
COONSKINDVD
Best price: $9.74
The Lord of the Rings: 1978 Animated Movie (Remastered Deluxe Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2010-04-06; DVD
Best price: $7.36
Price in other shops:
Watership Down (Deluxe Edition)by Richard Adams
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-10-07; DVD
Best price: $6.49
Price in other shops:
The Flight of DragonsWarner Bros; Release date: 2009-11-17; Published: 2009; DVD
Best price: $11.75
Price in other shops:
Starchaser - Legend of OrinSCOTT,JEFFREY; Release date: 2005-06-21; DVD
Best price: $10.89
Price in other shops:
WizardsFox; Release date: 2004-05-25; Published: 2004-05-01; DVD
Best price: $7.09
Price in other shops:
Fire and Ice (Two-Disc Limited Edition)RYK; Release date: 2005-08-30; DVD
Best price: $17.29
Price in other shops: