ShangLuda Admirable film.

Sexyloutak Absolutely the worst movie.

Cleveronix A different way of telling a story

BallWubba Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

Donald F Rock and Rule is the perfect double feature with "Heavy Metal": 80s Canadian adult animated films covering similar genres of music, using the genre's stereotypes to their benefit. While I think this one's the better of the two, "Heavy Metal" is a lot more consistent...The film begins with a text scroll, summing the premise far better than I or IMDb ever could: "Another time...another place...Mok, a legendary superocker has retired to Ohmtown, a remote storm ravaged village famous for its unique power plant. It is here that he lays his plans for his comeback - a great and final performance that will secure his immortality. High in the hills of Ohmtown, Mok's computers work at deciphering an ancient satanic code which could unlock a doorway between his world and a darker dimension, while Mok himself searches for the last crucial component..." (Also, all the characters are "Goof Troop"-style manimals...) The premise is brilliant, and in some ways, Rock and Rule does a perfect job at delivering. Mok is the perfect rock villain: Dethklok-famous, smooth talking, a master of visual effects, and an egoistical madman. Angel is more than just a damsel in distress, and Omar isn't the typical virtuous hero. The animation is fairly solid, and provides some nice views of this post-apocalyptic world.But some parts are too cartoony! The two other members of the band are completely forgettable, and serve little purpose beyond dumb humor. Mok's henchmen were not much better. The most famous man on Earth only has three dim-witted, roller-skating bulldogs for mooks? Worse yet is their sister, who looks exactly like them, but highly sexualized...they all seem out of place for a generally serious movie.Also, for a film called "Rock and Rule", there isn't that much Rock n' Roll. Its less of a musical than a Disney film, and the background music is mostly synth IICR. The soundtrack isn't bad...but I'm glad I didn't go in with high expectations.Its in a weird spot, between genres. It isn't outrageous enough to be called an X-rated cartoon, nor does it do an exceptional job at being either a sci-fi or a rock film. But overall, I'd say its a guilty pleasure of mine. It does succeed in areas few animated films touch. Few western cartoons are aimed at adults, and most of them are Adult Swim comedy shlock. Its also the only film I've seen, period, that attempts to be any sort of a "Rock Opera". If style over subsistence can carry a film for you, I'd say this is a decent choice.If nothing else, the film does provide two awesome music numbers: "My Name is Mok" and the final piece, "Send Love Through". The songs, animation, and borderline camp of these two scenes alone are worth the price of admission. Its impossible not to smile at the ridiculously cheesy finale, played completely straight. Consider them the two additional stars.

Matt Kracht I didn't see this when it first came out, back in the early 80s. If I had, I probably would have liked it, since I was the proper demographic. As someone nearing 40, I really can't say that I was impressed, however. Unlike Bakshi's work, which is generally aimed at adults, this was squarely aimed at the kid demographic, with anthropomorphic animals, over-the-top sentimentality ("love conquers everything" is a major theme), and incredibly dopey characters, right out of a Saturday morning kids' cartoon, with wacky voices to go along with them. The plot is pretty much throwaway. A narcissistic, aging "superrocker" named Mok is looking to summon a demon, although he's never really given any motivation for doing so, other than maybe wanting to be more famous than he already is. Unfortunately, he comes across as a stereotypical Disney villain and a not-so-subtle satire of Mick Jagger. The other characters are pretty much forgettable, though the heroine Angel could have been an interesting character. Stupidly, she's completely incapable of doing anything herself, and needs to be constantly saved by her male friends.The animation is pretty good, and the voice work is alright. I really wasn't very fond of the art style (cartoon animals, with snouts and big ears), as it was heavily influenced by Disney. Some people have suggested that it's supposed to be a parody of Disney's style, but I really doubt that. These are the same guys who did the Strawberry Shortcake cartoon in the 1980s. I think they're incapable of being edgy enough to take on parody. I think it's a straight-up, honest homage.In the end, this may be a little too dark for younger kids, but I doubt that it will really appeal very strongly to older teens (or adults), due to the cheesy message and heavy moralizing, which is more common in kids' cartoons. I had always heard it described as "for adults", but it's clearly not. It just goes to show you that pretty much anything that's animated can (and eventually will) be described as "adult" by someone, somewhere, eventually, even if it's overflowing in cheesy sentimentality and completely harmless. I've seen edgier episodes of The Simpsons.While not totally G-rated, I'd still say that anyone older than 12 should probably steer clear of this movie, unless they're Christian. It's got a very simplistic, heavy-handed moral that should resonate well with them.

Aaron1375 Yes, I have seen both this movie and the other animation movie "Heavy Metal", but I have never seen either uncut. So I can not really say which I like more. I liked this one because the story was a bit easier to follow, but that could be because "Heavy Metal" is so cut up on the television cut that at times some of the stories are skipping from scene to a completely different scene. Then again "Rock and Rule" seems a bit to tame compared to "Heavy Metal", but once again that could be because the more graphic scenes were cut from the version of the film I saw. The story in this one has this sort of aging rocker using rock and roll to basically summon a demon that delights in killing and such. He does the summoning by using a girl singer that he basically kidnaps. About all there is to it, but it works well. The music as was the case in "Heavy Metal" was very good and rocked suffice to say. One day I wish to see both of these films uncut so then I can give a more accurate review to both and perhaps decide which if any is superior to the other.

silentbob73 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