Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)

Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Best movie ever!

Blistering performances.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Between her Faye Dunaway "Network" hairstyle and wardrobe, blowing up a lab mouse with rock music and getting the students to scatter like roaches when she announces who she is, this is cult favorite Mary Woronov's film all the way. She's chewing the scenery unapologetically as if looking 10 years in the future at Divine and Deborah Harry in the original "Hairspray". As the new principal at this out of control high school, she's a force to be reckoned with, and surprisingly rather sexy! Fellow "Eating Raoul" co-star Paul Bartel joins her as the prim and proper music teacher who questions her sanity.The rest of the film is nothing more than a retread of high school themes before and since, although through the eyes of veteran producer Roger Corman, it's a bit more risqué than the squeaky clean "Grease". Funny that an aging mogul, in filmmaking since the mid 1950's, could seem so hip, but he was the man behind drive in cinemas, where no doubt this was mostly presented. Vincent Van Patten is the only actor I'm familiar with as one of the kids, the pretty boy blonde football player determined to get laid and aiding aging high school rocker P.J. Soles (29 at the time of this film's release) to get rock band the Ramones to perform at the school.Going into my junior year of high school at the time this came out, this is not representative of the two high schools I attended, but I did indeed recognize many of the archetypes of the type of kids I'd been around, even though my own modern music taste at the time isn't reflected here either. Perhaps my schools were either too small town or preppy, so I didn't have an exposure to the music reflected here until I expanded my friends to those from inner City schools. Yes, it's dated in certain aspects, but also nostalgic. Today's millennials might not see their generation in this film, but maybe they'll get an idea of how older generations faced the same desires and resentment to authority that still occurs today.

Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) ** 1/2 (out of 4)Entertaining, if extremely brain dead film set in a high school where a new principle has started and she refuses to let the kids dance, sing or have fun. When The Ramones come to town, their #1 fan Riff Randell (P.J. Soles) will do whatever it takes to get tickets and to make sure the school is ready to rock. If one is looking for plot then it's best to skip this film because it's rather shocking to see how little of it there is. Basically we have a mean principle wanting to hold the kids down and all the kids want to do is listen to rock music, have sex and make sure everything is fun. I must admit that there's a certain charm this movie has and I'm really not sure what it was. The majority of the acting is bad, the story, well, there isn't one and I'm not a major fan of The Ramones. Yet, for some reason the film really put its hooks in me and I was swept off my feet and thrown into the fun side of the film. I think a lot of credit has to go to P.J. Soles who was simply delightful as the #1 fan. Yes, you could argue that the "performance" wasn't "great" but I think it was good enough to really sell the spirit of the film and its message. I also thought Clint Howard was a lot of fun and especially during a sequence where he's teaching two losers how to make out. The music of The Ramones and others are put to good use and there's no question that you'll be tapping your feet during the musical numbers. ROCK 'N' ROLL HIGH SCHOOL isn't brain surgery and it's not a classic but there's an innocent charm that makes it worth viewing.

"Rock 'n' Roll High School" is clearly a bad film. The acting ranges from very bad to very broad--and there isn't much else. The plot is practically non-existent. And, the film is just cheap--very, very cheap--which isn't surprising since it's a Roger Corman film. Corman managed to make a ton of money on nearly every one of his 400 or so films--mostly because with minuscule budgets, it was practically impossible NOT to make money! So when you watch the film, don't expect an Oscar-contender! It's just a very cheap film that was intended for a very narrow audience...teens. But it's also a cult film--one that has some very devoted fans. While I don't think the film is wonderful, it's far more than just a cheap-o film--there are some things about it that are actually rather enjoyable.The film is set at Vince Lombardi High School. The principal is a fun-hating fascist and the students are mostly interested in sex, drugs and rock and roll. And, that really is THE plot of the film--in addition to including the punk group The Ramones. I am a huge Ramones fan and STILL am amazed they agreed to do the movie. After all, they had no respect for authority (that was their shtick) and yet here they appear in a film that is filled with LOTS of lameness. Lame...very lame. But it's nice they were in the film because although there isn't a plot, it is nice to hear their songs--and many of their best songs. My advice is to ignore the plot, listen to the songs and enjoy the goofy moments. My favorite goofy parts were every minute Clint Howard was in the film as well as every time a mouse appeared as well! You just have to see the film to understand what I mean.Overall, for enjoyability I'd give this one a 7. For quality of production, perhaps a 2. Overall, a 5 seems reasonable. Now the film is NOT for all tastes. There is lots of inappropriate behavior by the teens, so I assume a lot of folks wouldn't understand the film. Also, if you are a young person who knows little of the late 70s, you'll probably just laugh at the ridiculous fashions and dopiness of the film. BUT, if you are a middle-aged guy like me who thinks the Ramones are one of the greatest groups in history, then are you in for a treat!

I liked this movie I remember there was one very well done scene in this movie where Riff Randell (played by P.J. Soles) is lying in her bed smoking pot and then she begins to visualize that the Ramones are in the room with her sing the song "I Want You Around" ...very very cool stuff.It was fun, energetic, quirky and cool. Yes I'll admit that the ending is way-way over the top and far fetched ...but it doesn't matter because it is fun this is a very fun movie. It's Sex, Pot and Rock n Rocll foreverI read that Cheap Trick was the band who was originally to star in this ..But I do not know if this is true or not