Rock & Rule (1983)

Just perfect...

hyped garbage

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

I can't say that I enjoyed it, but the spirit of this animation is something that I will always appreciate. Weird hand drawn animation, rat and dog mutants singing 80's rock to bring forth demons in chaotic cities ruled by music and drugs, songs by Debbie Harry, Lou Reed, Earth Wind & Fire, Iggy Pop and others, the power of love conquering all... How can you not like this?The plot is very simple, fairy tale like, where the girl is captured by the evil villain and must be saved by her confused man and his merry band of sidekicks - that do all the work for him. The songs themselves are from an era long gone, but still enjoyable in that "we sing what we like" way that completely ignores the industry. It goes all over the place, switching from trippy to dead serious and from funny to horror.Bottom line: needs to be seen to be believed. For extra experience points. Make Canada great again! :)

It's 'Fritz the Cat' meets 'The Devil and Daniel Mouse' meets 'Heavy Metal' I was astounded at the level of animation and love that went into this film. I can't even believe that I had never heard of it before watching it now in 2016. It is absolutely 80's "retrotastic", with the soul of 'Fritz the Cat', the animation and story of 'The Devil and Daniel Mouse' and the atmosphere of 'Heavy Metal'. Anyone who loves the 80's and the animation it brought, of the likes of, Don Bluth, Ralph Bakshi and the team of animators from 'Heavy Metal' and the Nelvana animation production house, will love this film.Also, with Don Francks (Dr. Claw on Inspector Gadget 1983) as Mok; and Lou Reed as the singing voice in "My name is Mok", is freaking awesome.Cheap Trick also played many of the heavy tracks of the film which seals the deal with this film's immortality, and makes it a "must own" for 80's lover's. Gotta say if you love the 80's and have never seen it, why are you not watching it now. Seriously, wth are you waiting for.

This is hands-down one of the greatest cartoons ever produced. I first saw it in the early/mid 80's on CBC TV here in Canada (and luckily caught it on videotape - I was a videophile even as a child of 10 or so). Everything about this movie is spot on - from the animation to the storyline to the music (especially the music - but I'll get to that). Created by Nelvana Studios (here in The Great White North - take that ya Yanks - tee hee), it follows the journey of four post-apocalyptic (more or less anyway - society as we know it ain't there anymore) demi-humans (see D&D manuals for an explanation of THAT terminology) in a band whose female lead is the key to a madman music star's plot to gain ultimate power through raising a world-ending demon. The animation is nearly Disney-worthy in full motion, and the are a number of beautifully rendered stills panned for effect throughout.The story is solid overall - not exactly Oscar material - but the concept holds up plausibly in the world in which it's set.The music is really the highlight of this feature. I don't want to down Heavy Metal 'cause that was a great piece of work as well - 'twas better in story though weaker in animation but the soundtrack is clearly the deciding factor betwixt the two if one had to decide (and isn't life all about decisions? ;-) From the opening theme throughout the various storyline performances and interludes right to the closing duet (featuring the likes of Cheap Trick, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, and Debbie Harry), this is a rock opera every bit as important as "The Wall" or "Tommy". Though obviously not exclusively by one artist as the aforementioned, the cohesion of the musical flow in this picture truly transports one into the oftentimes dark and ominous world of Ohmtown and Nuke York. The coalescence of pounding rock 'n roll, electronically-based 80's pop, and heartfelt balladry brings the themes and ideas behind the work home with force. A quality viewing for anyone who has an interest in the genre - not necessarily made for kids but not Anime-style in it's profanity or violence either - just a great preteen-plus animated movie overall.Gotta give this one 5 stars - though the nostalgia factor probably gives it an extra star or so, 'tis one of the finest features ever put to paper.PeaceThe Bob

I have a tendency to go into video stores not really knowing what I'm looking for. when I saw "Rock and Rule" on the self, I was immediately drawn to the cultish feel this movie had to it, and when I finally got around to renting it, I was blown away.I have seen a lot of VERY good animated features (Akira, Totoro and the original 101 Dalmatians) but rock and rule has to be among the best. I know that a few people like to bash this movie, saying that the directing is inept, the characters aren't developed or the animation is dated.These people are probably the same people who hate Napoleon Dynamite just to be rebels. In order to really appreciate Rock and Rule, you have to think about the time it was made in, and then you will realize just how groundbreaking it really was.the animation is superb, period. nelvana (the producers) nearly went bankrupt when they made this movie, and you can clearly see why. some of the first usage of CGI in animated film is used in RR, and it is generally extremely high quality for an eighties flick. Oh, and lets not forget about Mok. Mok, a parody of Mick Jagger, has to be one of the best cinematic villains of all time. From his incredibly expressive lips (JAGGER!) to the excellent voice acting provided by Don Francks, he is mesmerizing to behold, and basically sells the film on his own.All in all, the story is excellent, the songs are incredible and the animation is an example of the best of its period. If you ever hope to be an animation buff, or cult buff, you have to see this movie. it simply isn't an option.