For
all the Lou Reed fans out there: Canadian animation company Nelvana's
first feature film was 1983's Rock & Rule. This ambitious
post-apocalyptic rock opera took too many risks for critics and
audiences of the time and has faded into obscurity. Aimed at an older
audience -- with songs and musical performances by Cheap Trick; Debbie
Harry; Iggy Pop; Earth, Wind & Fire; and the late Lou Reed -- Rock
& Rule attempted to capitalize on the campy, cult popularity of
1981's animated film Heavy Metal (also a Canadian production, produced
by Ivan Reitman) as well as the music and fantasy films of American
animator Ralph Bakshi (for you Bakshi aficionados, Rock & Rule is
like American Pop meets Wizards). They don't make them like this
anymore, and that's a shame. Thirty years after its initial release,
Rock & Rule is a slick, moody, forgotten gem that deserves a second
look. This is a cult movie waiting for a cult. Apparently, you can watch it on
YouTube.
