Monday 28 October 2013

Rock & Rule: a forgotten Canadian, post-apocalyptic rock opera.

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.