04/02/06 Rock 'N' Roll High School

Rock 'N' Roll High School (1979), directed by Allan Arkush

watched w/ Leslie; DVD (personal copy) @ home

Cult classic, with all the needed underground cred to be immortalized forever. Let's see, Roger Corman produced, 80's teen high school movies were about to blow up, and the seminal punk rock of the Ramones is the catalyst for the soundtrack & plot. What could go wrong? So many things need to be taken with a grain of salt when analyzing a "cult classic." Honestly, it's never going to be about the acting, the wardrobe, the script, the locations, directing/cinematography, or usually the soundtrack. Although it is the music that lifts this one above the rest, it also has that special something that all crazy movies need to have to leave an impact on so many. It drops at just the right time, with just the right message, with enough kitsch value to hold on long enough for VH1 to do an "I Love the 70's/80's" segment on it. Let's see, a bunch of misfits have to attend a local high school were the teachers are tyrants or tools, who oppress the children such that they feel it necessary to rebel in zany ways. With the ringleader here being cult icon P.J. Soles in the role of Riff Randell, a rockin' girl who wants nothing more in life than to go see her idols the Ramones live in concert. Just like a precursor to a Ferris Bueller or Zack Morris, Riff leads the revolution of the high schoolers making the show and sticking it to the evil principal Togar. You've got to give the film credit in sticking to what it knew best (The Ramones), and the Ramones doing what they knew best (rockin' out & attaching themselves to cult status via this flick). Please by all means avoid the sequel with Corey Feldman. This one is harmful & harmless fun with no earthly repercussions, and awesome punk rawk music! Gabba gabba hey!

3 out of 5 stars