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The Rocker Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    53

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 38

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    If you're a Rainn Wilson fan, catch a rerun of "The Office."

    Read Full Review

  • 42

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    The only brazen thing about the film is how shamelessly it rips off "School of Rock."

    Read Full Review

  • 60

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal

    The Rocker has the requisite vomit, the view of some very unfortunate hind quarters and the suds. It's also got a vein of sweetness and charm.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Frank Scheck

    Overcomes its essential familiarity thanks to a frequently witty script, grounded direction (by Peter Cattaneo, of "Full Monty" fame) and an engaging turn by its star that proves him more than capable of carrying a comedy feature.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

    It's a lot of fun. Its spirit is genuine and, even with the odd vomit gag, fundamentally sweet.

    Read Full Review

  • See all The Rocker reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 12+

Some laughs, but this is no School of Rock.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this comedy -- which stars Rainn Wilson of the popular sitcom The Office and singer Teddy Geiger -- has a tween-targeted marketing campaign and is likely to appeal to kids 10 and up. The jokes tend to be of the slapstick/physical variety, but there are occasional strong words like "s--t" and "bitch," a couple of kisses, and several references to "scoring" with the opposite sex. But as summer comedies go, this one is fairly tame.

  • Families can talk about how fame and celebrity are typically depicted in movies. Based on what you see in the media, how does a "star" behave? Do Curtis, Matt, and Amelia act like stereotypical rock stars? What about the members of Vesuvius? The ADD teens' parents were all supportive of their band. Is that realistic? Kids: What do you think of ADD's music? Also, what's the most important thing Fish learns from the kids, and what's the most important thing they learn from him?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Fish encourages the kids to lie to their parents, steals his sister's van, and acts wildly. But it's all pretty tame, and he finally "grows up" by the end of the movie. The teenagers learn to take risks to follow their dreams.

What to watch for
  • violence false2

    Violence: Fish beats up a co-worker, trashes a hotel room, drunkenly hurls himself off a roof, and threatens to hurt the band Vesuvius.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Several discussions about "scoring" and "getting tail," references to "MILFs," etc. Groupies with visible cleavage ask to have their chests autographed. Several women flirt with Curtis. There are a few kisses, but nothing too passionate. Fish sits naked in front of a Web cam (a food box blocks the more sensitive bits).

  • language false3

    Language: Occasional use of words like "ass," "a--hole," "bitch," and "s--t."

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Zildjian drum kit, the Guitar Hero video game, Toyota Corolla, Mac laptops, and several camera phones are all featured in the film.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Various adults drink at bars, parties, and -- in the case of one musician -- straight from the bottle.

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