Review of Rock & Rule (1983) by Stuart K — 02 Feb 2010
The first feature length animation to come out of Canada. Produced by animation powerhouse Nelvana, who are still going strong to this day, produced and directed by the company's founders, Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert, and Clive A.
Smith. It focused and centred on rock music in animation. Kinda like what Ralph Bakshi had done with American Pop (1981) and Hey Good Lookin' (1982). The film is set in a post-apocalyptic United States populated by mutant humanoids, who have the features of cats, dogs and rats.
All the characters, good guys and bad are all rock musicians. It has Omar (Paul Le Mat), Angel (Susan Roman), Dizzy (Dan Hennessey), and Stretch (Greg Duffell) who perform in a small-time rock band in their home city of Ohmtown, trying to make it big.
However, aging rock star rock star Mok (Don Francks), is looking for "one voice" needed to summon a demon from another dimension, he finds it in Angel and kidnaps her. So the others set out to rescue her.
It looks good visually, and there is alot of imagination on display within this film, but it could have benefitted from a stronger story. But, the music helps out, done by Deborah Harry, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Cheap Trick and Earth, Wind and Fire.
It's short but sweet too, unavailable for years, it's a well kept secret of animation.
This review of Rock & Rule (1983) was written by Stuart K on 02 February 2010.
Rock & Rule has generally received positive reviews.
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