Now I'm going to have to warn you right off the bat. This movie is one
of my favourite movies all time, and even though I start off every
review by saying something along those lines, this time I really really
mean it. I've loved this movie for years and when Lions Gate released
it on DVD, I just about exploded from excitement. I pre-ordered it
right away, and counted the days until it arrived in my letter box and
I've watched it over and over since that glorious day.
Most reviews you'll
read for this movie will bag it out for being cheesy and stupid and no
where near as good as Rock & Roll High School with The Ramones, and
PJ Soles. This review is going to be completely different. While I'll
readily admit that Rock & Roll High School is a classic, Rock &
Roll High School Forever deserves the same kind of recognition. In
short, this movie is awesome, and Corey Feldman is a fucking legend.
Unfortunately Corey's early
nineties drug problems prevented this movie from having a theatrical
release, as well as a release of the soundtrack which at the time was
considered the best unreleased soundtrack in Hollywood. I was hoping
that a DVD release would see some extras (like the soundtrack), but all
we got was a bare bones release smushed in with South Beach Academy.
But hey, I'm just happy we got it on DVD at all. Now I can relax and
stop buying up VHS copies. I have three.
Corey Feldman plays the
enigmatic Jesse Davis, the coolest guy in school and the lead singer of
rock band the Eradicators with his friend Mag (who looks A LOT like
Corey Haim), Stella, Jones and Namrock. After yet another Rock and Roll
High School day (the day where everyone does anything they want and
burns down the school) administration at Reagan High bring in Dr Vadar
as the new head of discipline. Jesse and the gang miss this
announcement as they are off freaking out the locals with a little
"large appliance worship". But they will soon stand up and take notice
of Dr Vadar as she targets the Eradicators and attempts to get them
"eradicated" from Reagan High.
Jesse not only has to deal with Dr Vadars scheming, but snotty kids
Whitney and Margaret and their whiny boyfriends Bob & Donovan
as well, and when the Eradicators are barred from playing the prom,
they consult Eagle Bauer, the schools underground go-to man for test
papers, doctors excuses and hall passes who runs his operation through
a secret door in the Men's toilets.
With the expert
planning of Eagle Bauer, Jesse and the gang take Dr Vadar out of
commission so she is unable to participate in the selection of a band
for the prom, and considering that the gorgeous new music teacher that
has an eye for Jesse is on the panel, Eagle Bauer assures them that
with Vadar out of the way, they know that at least three out of the
remaining five judges will vote for them, and they will be in. All goes
according to plan until Whitney (the other judge) dobs them in and sets
them up with the help of Dr Vadar for a horrible prank they weren't
responsible for. It's detention hall for the rest of their school
lives, and Dr Vadar may have even succeeded in breaking the band's
spirits.
Feeling defeated
after being beaten at their own game, Jesse's friends think that maybe
it's best for them to give up and graduate, but
Jesse gets a visit from the spirit of Rock N Roll who convinces him
that he and his friends need to put an end to the crazy Dr Vadar once
and for all. Stella, Mag, Namrock, Jones and Jesse, along with some
help from the witch from 3rd period lunch, Rita the music teacher and
one very naughty boy, stage the biggest prank of the high school
careers to get back at everyone who tried to take them down. Rock and
Roll has returned once more to Reagan high, and who knows, they may
even burn down the school again too.
Corey Feldman is the ultimate cool dude as Jesse, but I must give a big
mention to Liane Curtis (who I had only previously seen in Sixteen
Candles) as Stella. Talk about one cool chick with great fashion sense.
Yay Stella! Namrock Namrock the non english speaking bass player rocks
as well - he also played Liu Kang's brother in Mortal Kombat.
Rock and Roll High School Forever is exactly what we all wish our high
school experience is like. Pranks, fun, and very little real class
time. When watching it, it's so obvious that this was one of those
movies that was made just as everyone was dragged kicking and screaming
out of the 80's. And for that Rock and Roll High School Forever, I will
always love you.
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