The iconic rock 'n' roll comedy of 40 years ago got a belated sequel with this uninspired bit of mayhem. Corey Feldman, at his most obnoxious, plays Jessie Davis, lead singer of a band called the Eradicators. When they're not pulling pranks, they're cranking out their so-so tunes. Then they have to deal with a new VP of Discipline at Ronald Reagan High: the tyrannical D. Vadar (har, har), played by cult actress Mary Woronov.
This viewer would have liked to have enjoyed this a bit more. As it is, it aims hards for the same sense of chaos and anarchy created by the first movie, but falls short. It simply wasn't very funny, at least not to this viewer. It's got lots of energy, but it's energy used to service an underwhelming script (by director Deborah Brock, who'd previously helmed another sequel for her boss Roger Corman, "Slumber Party Massacre II"). It also doesn't have the same sort of hip appeal; it can't boast the presence of a popular band like the Ramones. (Although it *does* feature a musical cameo by Mojo Nixon.) The soundtrack isn't entirely terrible; there is at least a groovy title theme song by Canadian rock band The Pursuit of Happiness.
The main appeal lies in watching the enchanting Woronov basically rehash her character from the 1979 film. She gives this fiendish antagonist plenty of goofy and quirky flair. It's clear director Brock encouraged much of her cast to be as cheesy and campy as possible. Certainly, Jessies' pals and bandmates are an interesting bunch: Liane Curtis ("Critters 2"), Evan Richards ("Society"), Steven Ho ("Mortal Kombat"), and Patrick Malone ("Grand Canyon"). It's fun to see Jason Lively of "European Vacation" and "Night of the Creeps" fame cast against type as a smarmy preppie jerk. Michael Cerveris ('Fringe') is amusing as he inherits the role of Eaglebauer, but he WON'T make you forget Clint Howard. And Larry Linville of 'M*A*S*H' fame gets very little to do as the timid principal.
Fortunately, this does lead to an admittedly bravura finale that does recall the ending of the original feature.
I would recommend people just revisit the first "Rock 'n' Roll High School" instead.
Five out of 10.
This viewer would have liked to have enjoyed this a bit more. As it is, it aims hards for the same sense of chaos and anarchy created by the first movie, but falls short. It simply wasn't very funny, at least not to this viewer. It's got lots of energy, but it's energy used to service an underwhelming script (by director Deborah Brock, who'd previously helmed another sequel for her boss Roger Corman, "Slumber Party Massacre II"). It also doesn't have the same sort of hip appeal; it can't boast the presence of a popular band like the Ramones. (Although it *does* feature a musical cameo by Mojo Nixon.) The soundtrack isn't entirely terrible; there is at least a groovy title theme song by Canadian rock band The Pursuit of Happiness.
The main appeal lies in watching the enchanting Woronov basically rehash her character from the 1979 film. She gives this fiendish antagonist plenty of goofy and quirky flair. It's clear director Brock encouraged much of her cast to be as cheesy and campy as possible. Certainly, Jessies' pals and bandmates are an interesting bunch: Liane Curtis ("Critters 2"), Evan Richards ("Society"), Steven Ho ("Mortal Kombat"), and Patrick Malone ("Grand Canyon"). It's fun to see Jason Lively of "European Vacation" and "Night of the Creeps" fame cast against type as a smarmy preppie jerk. Michael Cerveris ('Fringe') is amusing as he inherits the role of Eaglebauer, but he WON'T make you forget Clint Howard. And Larry Linville of 'M*A*S*H' fame gets very little to do as the timid principal.
Fortunately, this does lead to an admittedly bravura finale that does recall the ending of the original feature.
I would recommend people just revisit the first "Rock 'n' Roll High School" instead.
Five out of 10.