Loosely inspired by the true story of the heavy metal band Judas Priest, this music industry fable from director Stephen Herek is based on a script by actor-turned-writer/director John Stockwell. Mark Wahlberg stars as Chris Cole, a wannabe rock star who works by day as a copy machine repairman and by night as the lead singer of Blood Pollution, a Pennsylvania tribute band that imitates the best-selling heavy metal rockers of Steel Dragon. Although he's supported by his girlfriend Emily
(Jennifer Aniston), Chris is devastated when his friends kick him out of the band he founded. His humiliation doesn't last long, however, as Chris soon learns that he's been tapped to replace the lead singer of Steel Dragon, literally becoming a rock star overnight. Chris soon has everything he's ever wanted but is disappointed to discover that being a superstar isn't everything it's cracked up to be. Rock Star was produced under two other titles, "Metal God" and "So You Want to Be a Rock Star." ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
A movie about the gullible and pitched to the naive, Rock Star struggles to resist being as generic as its title, but is never more than just another replay of the hoary postulate that showbiz is all about rising, falling and being redeemed.
Inevitably there's a really sappy ending and musical sequence that not only left me nauseous but also felt very contrived and far-fetched to even feel happy.
The music is more than fine, but without the visual and narrative grittiness and edge to match, the movie ends up being more about the sound than the source.
Just as it should be falling apart, its melodrama becomes more touching than ever, ultimately shaping a film about much more than any band and more poetic than any song on the radio.
A veteran of arena stage concerts, Wahlberg's obviously got the moves and the attitude, but in offstage moments where more complex characterization is needed, he flounders.
Dream big. Live the life.Great Movie! Simplistic and Enjoyable. This was a very real movie of a real rock band. I think Mark and Aniston did great acting roles. The story was immensely interesting and it had a terrific ending that was just right. Very nice cast!Chris Cole was born to rock. His longtime girlfriend Emily
believes his talent could take him all the way - but Chris worships at the altar of Bobby Beers, the fiery frontman for heavy metal legends Steel Dragon. By day, Chris still lives at home with his parents and spends his days repairing copy machines. But when Chris takes the stage, fronting Pennsylvania's premiere Steel Dragon tribute band, all of that disappears. Chris Cole is Bobby Beers - mesmerizing audiences with his perfect imitation of Beers' electrifying vocals. The night his bandmates boot him out of the group, Chris is devastated until an unexpected phone call changes his life forever: He, Chris Cole, has been tapped to replace Bobby Beers as the lead singer of Steel Dragon. In an instant, Chris rockets to the dizzying heights of sudden stardom, rising from devotee to icon, from rock fan to rock god the wanna-be who got to be. So what happens when an average guy gets everything he wants and discovers it's not enough?
February 1, 2010
Manu Gino
Super Reviewer
It's actually a lot better than it gets credit for. It's one of Mark Wahlberg's best performances and a very captivating story from start to finish. It criticizes the hairbands of the 80s, but also show how many people they inspired and how much they meant. I love the message of being your own person, even if trying to
be someone else can make you millions of dollars and fame up the wazoo. The supporting cast in this is amazingly underrated, much like the movie itself.
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