The Rocker

Rainn Wilson of TV show The Office shows his drumming skills in 'The Rocker'. Back in 2003, I saw a little movie called School of Rock. It starred Jack Black and it was about a wannabe rockstar using kids to fulfill his dreams. It was great, funny, and clever. A couple of days ago, I saw a little movie called The Rocker. It was about...well, a wannabe rockstar using kids to fulfill his dreams. It was okay, but predictable, rarely funny, and lame.

Back in 1986 Robert 'Fish' Fishman drummed for Vesuvius, the latest, coolest band. He had it good, had great friends, was famous. Then he was abruptly kicked out. Flash forward 20 years. Fish works in an office and is pretty miserable. He is fired from his job and goes to live with his brother and his family.

Fish's teenage nephew plays in a band called A.D.D., and A.D.D. needs a drummer. His nephew reluctantly puts Fish in the band, and soon A.D.D. becomes a huge success nationwide. But complications kick Fish out of the band, can Fish stand up and rock again?

Predictable at every turn, there are very few surprises here. I have a suspicion that deep down inside this movie is a decent one trying to break out, but alas, all the cliches bury that decent movie. It's odd, even for a comedy, there aren't even that many cracks at a joke, thus making the good ones even more rare.

It feels like a funny movie thats being held back, and if you walk having seen the trailer, you'll probably know how it ends. Skip it. D+