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Movies / On DVD / Rock 'N' Roll High School
Rock 'N' Roll High School

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Rock 'N' Roll High School (1978)

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Reviews Counted:21

Fresh:16

Rotten:5

Average Rating:6.6/10

Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Synopsis: In this campy, classic musical tribute to the rock legends the Ramones, the students of Vince Lombardi High School are a wild and rebellious bunch who are sick of sitting in school--they want to go... In this campy, classic musical tribute to the rock legends the Ramones, the students of Vince Lombardi High School are a wild and rebellious bunch who are sick of sitting in school--they want to go see the Ramones in concert. With the lowest academic scores in Southern California and pathetic athletic teams that haven't won a game in years, the school's last three principals had nervous breakdowns and were committed to the funny farm. But that's no concern to the kids, who just want to rock. Riff Randall, the leader of the frisky students, writes the song "Rock 'N' Roll High School" and leads a brigade of her peers to a Ramones concert. However, when a fierce new principal cracks the whip and attempts to silence the rock music by burning stacks of the students' records, a riot breaks out. The Ramones arrive at school and join forces with the students to take over the school and, in a glorious exclamation of victory, burn it down. The terrific soundtrack includes such Ramones favorites as "Blitzkrieg Bop," "Pinhead," and "Teenage Lobotomy" in addition to the title track. [More]

Starring: P.J. Soles, Ramones, Vincent Van Patten, Mary Woronov

Starring: P.J. Soles, Ramones, Vincent Van Patten, Mary Woronov, Paul Bartel, Dey Young, Clint Howard, Dick Miller, Loren Lester

Director: Allan Arkush

Director: Allan Arkush
Composer: Ramones
Producer: Roger Corman, Michael Finnell

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Rock 'N' Roll High School

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

For all its throwaway humour, this is basically just a pleasant reworking of the kids versus adults rock'n'roll movie format of the '50s.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/19/07
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Nothing is taken seriously and nothing should be -- it's only rock 'n' roll.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
04/14/09
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's more cleverly cut than shot -- which means that it moves quickly and energetically even as the concepts and characters disintegrate.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
04/14/09
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

A spirited spoof on high school life.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
12/30/06
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

We may never again see a teen comedy in which a school can explode and the movie can still be considered essentially good-hearted.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
05/27/06
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

It's not like Rock 'N' Roll High School was pioneering brilliant cinema, but it is a brilliant little piece of work within its own framework.

Full Review Source: 7M Pictures | comment Comment
02/05/06
Kevin Carr
Kevin Carr
7M Pictures

...the overwhelming vibe of silliness eventually becomes exhausting.

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
01/22/06
David Nusair
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

The Ramones make Ringo Starr look like Alec Guinness

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
12/20/05
Christopher Null
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
10/10/05
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

This is the second greatest rock and roll movie ever made.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
08/22/05
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

No review available.

comment Comment
08/11/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

The pity is that with a bit more care and flair, it could have been a really sweet little movie.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/09/05
John Rockwell
John Rockwell
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
04/07/05
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat

What punk rock lovin' fiend doesn't love the Ramones?

comment Comment
05/13/04
Jovanka Vuckovic
Jovanka Vuckovic
Rue Morgue Magazine

No review available.

comment Comment
03/27/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

No review available.

comment Comment
03/06/04
Ryan Cracknell
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views

No review available.

comment Comment
01/05/04
Rumsey Taylor
Rumsey Taylor
Not Coming to a Theater Near You

No review available.

comment Comment
04/30/03
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

No review available.

comment Comment
02/04/03
Darrin Keene
Darrin Keene
Film Threat

No review available.

comment Comment
07/26/02
Scott Weinberg
Scott Weinberg
eFilmCritic.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Rock 'N' Roll High School

July 31, 2008: Stern's Rock & Roll High School Remake Gets a Writer Opens in new window
After years of discussions, it appears the Howard Stern-produced remake of Rock & Roll High School is moving forward, with Alex Winter writing the script. More...

October 11, 2006: Ramones Biopic: All Revved Up And Ready To Go?
Gabba Gabba Hey! The story of the Ramones, perhaps the most influential American punk band of the 1970s, may be getting the biopic treatment soon. More...

August 17, 2006: Critical Consensus: "SOAP," "Material Girls" Not Screened; "Accepted" Denied; "Sunshine" Shines
This week at the movies, we've got snakes.... on a plane ("Snakes on a Plane," starring Samuel L. Jackson), slackers on a campus ("Accepted," starring Justin... More...

September 08, 2005: Roger Corman's Back Catalog Finds a Home ... at Disney?
Legendary indie filmmaker Roger Corman has signed a deal with Buena Vista, which will result in a Disney logo on the back of the next "Death Race 2000" DVD, says... More...

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