The Rocker
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: August 20, 2008 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
53
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews
Positive:
10
Mixed:
17
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
Christian Science MonitorPeter Rainer
Wilson is pretty much the whole show. With nobody else around to steal from, he ends up stealing scenes from himself. Read full review
75
New York PostLou Lumenick
This familiar scenario works because of well-written and acted characters. The disciplined direction is by Peter Cattaneo, who tackled somewhat similar material in "The Full Monty" a decade ago. Read full review
75
Seattle Post-IntelligencerAndy Spletzer
The most surprising thing about The Rocker is how enjoyable it is. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
The movie's is really good, clean fun that's fine for slightly older kids and a lot of fun for adults. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneMichael Phillips
It's a lot of fun. Its spirit is genuine and, even with the odd vomit gag, fundamentally sweet. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterFrank 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
70
VarietyPeter Debruge
Wilson makes the most of it in this well-crafted, feel-good satire. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Liam Lacey
Silly, and unashamedly second-hand, the movie is essentially a Jack Black movie without Jack Black, which is, arguably, an improvement. Read full review
63
Philadelphia InquirerSteven Rea
The Rocker can be amusingly dopey, with its "Spinal Tap"-ish lampooning of rock idioms - and idiots. Read full review
63
Boston GlobeWesley Morris
A grubby little redemption comedy that in every way feels like a consignment-shop Jack Black vehicle. Read full review
60
Wall Street JournalJoanne Kaufman
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
60
EmpireSimon Crook
Lightweight but likable. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
There are plenty of funny moments, as well as a sweet subplot involving the unkempt drummer and the guitarist's no-nonsense mom (Christina Applegate). Read full review
58
The A.V. ClubScott Tobias
Wilson and a loaded supporting cast are never as funny as they should be. Read full review
58
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Too bad it shortchanges the music and fails to provide much evidence for Wilson's appeal. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesSam Adams
For the most part, The Rocker is content to simply keep the beat, marking time as the summer movie season moves on. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsElizabeth Weitzman
Wilson works overtime to hold Peter Cattaneo's flimsy comedy together. Read full review
50
SalonJames Hannaham
A pleasant but unimpressive experience. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleDavid Wiegand
You want to like almost everyone in this film, but they're all undone by a weak script. Read full review
50
The New York TimesStephen Holden
Most disappointingly, the music is tepid, mediocre pop pastiche. Read full review
50
Washington PostStephen Hunter
The movie is so tepid and inoffensive: It reminded me of a '70s Disney live-action product, with clean-scrubbed "hippies" like Johnny Whitaker chafing harmlessly under the wise ministrations of Suzanne Pleshette, whose job was to keep the kids in hand. Read full review
50
New York Magazine (Vulture)David Edelstein
It's depressing when the best thing you can say about a comedy is that its second-rateness is pleasantly in sync with its unmagnetic hero. Read full review
50
ReelViewsJames Berardinelli
The Rocker is more disappointing than it is outright bad. One expects something a little fresher from Wilson. Read full review
42
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
The only brazen thing about the film is how shamelessly it rips off "School of Rock." Read full review
40
Film ThreatDon R. Lewis
Not terribly original or funny. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
Wilson is buoyed by a sporadically witty script, and while there are no surprises whatsoever in the story, his goofy, puppylike charm renders what could have been a disaster merely an unfortunate event. Read full review
40
Village VoiceRobert Wilonsky
This is sugary-sweet stuff--pop instead of rock. Read full review
38
USA TodayClaudia Puig
If you're a Rainn Wilson fan, catch a rerun of "The Office." Read full review
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