Pretty Good

A lot of fun.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

One of the things that always got me though the drudgery of high school has always been music. Just hearing the music of a favorite band or even soundtrack from a film it just made most of my days feel alright.This film is one of my favorite comedies and it's one of the only teen films that are actually good in my book. Roger Corman's company always was famous for producing and making a lot of colorful B movies, this film is another of my favorites from his lot.Not much I can really say, the film is kinda a wish fulfillment fantasy, because in a way it's sort of takes a lot of things that most of us as teens we sometimes think or dream about and put them all in this movie. From having a favorite rock band visit your local school, rebelling and overcoming unfair authority and anyone that puts you down for what you love, teens actually stepping up being empowered by what they believe in, as well as destroying the school itself. What's not to love.I like the characters like Riff (P.J. Soles) whom is a fun protagonist she just has so much energy. She's a mega fan of Rock n Roll and the Ramones, hence her name. And she's rebellious as she isn't going to stand for anyone or anything trying to ruin her good time and rock n roll. She sort of represents ourselves because I really can emphasize with her with her enthusiastic and unending fandom for rock music, it's sort of like mine is with movies.Though my favorite is Eaglebauer (Clint Howard) whom is a sly business man that runs a business that is more or less legal in the school from helping some get though the day like supplying test answers in case there's that dreaded test they have to study for but most importantly helps underdogs and outsiders like nerds, geeks, or any other luckless teens in the school. Personally I think this kind of business is a cool idea, shame I didn't have this kind of business in my high school or collage for help.Mary Wornov as Miss Evelyn Togar is a fun villainous you love to hate, it's sort of ironic that she also got to play the main villainous in "Rock n Roll High School Forever" but that's a different story. Her character is a sadistic b.... that just doesn't give a crap about education let alone the students, she simply just wants to make life a living hell in the school for no reason. And of course once she presses that wrong button with Riff as well as ourselves, you know she's got to go down.The comedy I think is very good, the best and most hilarious of course is the high school takeover which despite occurring at the last minutes of the film are clearly the highlight and payoff of the film. I really love the soundtrack, this film is one of my favorite movie soundtracks ever, it has so many great memorable songs. In a way this film is sort of a musical as we constantly hear rock songs, one musical sequence from P.J. Soles and the other students, but most of all songs from the band "The Ramones". It's also in a way almost the ultimate fan film as this film is no doubt favoring the "Ramones" band whom are clearly the highlight of the film. Their songs are just fantastic, they sing one of my favorite theme songs of all which of course is the title itself.I even like that in a way the film has a good message showing that music and anything else in entertainment are rights and aren't the cause of social problems.Rockin Roll High School hits all the right notes.Rating: 3 and a half stars

Rock N' Roll High School (1979): Dir: Allan Arkush / Cast: P. J. Soles, Mary Woronov, Vince Van Patten, Dey Young, Clint Howard: Explosive musical comedy about the rebellious reputation that often separates rock music from authority. Miss Evelyn Togar is the new principal at Vince Lombardi High and she aims to eliminate rock music from the minds of the student body. Riff Randell is the rebellious Ramones fan who skips class to get concert tickets for the entire school. Her best friend is science major Kate Rambeau who has her sights set on naïve football jock Tom Roberts but he hopes to hook up with Randell. He enlists help from Eaglebauer, whose office is set up in the boys washroom where he serve up whatever deviant nature students desire. This all climaxes when the actual Ramones makes a comedic showcase that includes an electrifying concert and join a standoff when the students take over the school and blowing up Vince Lombardi High. This calls to question the moral dilemma of the rebellion but the Ramones make for an amusing presence. Directed with energy by Allan Arkush with P.J. Soles fetching as high spirited Randell, Mary Woronov as the domineering Togar, Vince Van Patten as naïve Tom, Dey Young as the smart yet equally naïve Kate, and Clint Howard as the witty and innovative as Eaglebauer. Fun musical full of great comic lines where the lessons taught are not in the classroom. Score: 8 / 10

I saw this around 1980 when it first came out. I was in High School myself and could relate to some of the rebellious shenanigans pictured in this film. So right off the bat, this low budget affair already had elevated itself from other teen rebellion films. Another favourable move was to make the issue of trying to figure out how to date a girl a major plot point. This was another thing I could relate to. Some genuine laughs occur as the school wheeler-dealer (Clint Howard - looking closer to 'Gentle Ben' age) gives the school hunk lessons. All that despite the PG rating.Then there are the Ramones. I read in the IMDb trivia page that several very high profile bands were approached to appear in the film. Bands like DEVO, Cheap Trick, even Van Halen might of been the major characters. Luckily, they all blew their chance because the film would have been more about the charismatic and popular members than the high school students. Instead the Ramones, very introverted and seemingly camera shy, were just about the music. Although my high school friend was heavily into the Ramones and had a few of their albums, it was the on screen performances that got me hooked.Over 30 years later, with Joey Ramone gone, I was able to appreciate his pure talent as a songwriter. In other words, the real formula for success for this band wasn't attitude, presence, the hair, or being at the right point in music history to make a breakthrough. Instead it was Joey's ability to write very catchy songs and lyrics. All the songs featured in the film are equally classics. That is certainly one of the reasons why the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I finally got to see the band live in front of perhaps 100,000 people at a Lalapalooza show in the late 90s. Playing alongside Soundgarden, Metallica, amongst other big names, they held their own with the audience.The best thing about this film is that it refuses to stop a joke short. Each gag scene in the film seems inspired (my favourite is the lunch ladies being punished by being bombarded with their crappy food). Performances are also energetic and the editing crisp. There are no dead spots in this brisk film. For anyone older than junior high or high school age, for sure this film is a bit immature. Even so, memories of your days in high school are relatable with some poignant reflections of what hell it was during that time (like a dorky kid being stuffed inside a locker.) The climax of the film benefits from real pyrotechnics and of course great music.

This movie is SOOOO funny!!! The acting is WONDERFUL, the Ramones are sexy, the jokes are subtle, and the plot is just what every high schooler dreams of doing to his/her school. I absolutely loved the soundtrack as well as the carefully placed cynicism. If you like monty python, You will love this film. This movie is a tad bit "grease"esk (without all the annoying songs). The songs that are sung are likable; you might even find yourself singing these songs once the movie is through. This musical ranks number two in musicals to me (second next to the blues brothers). But please, do not think of it as a musical per say; seeing as how the songs are so likable, it is hard to tell a carefully choreographed scene is taking place. I think of this movie as more of a comedy with undertones of romance. You will be reminded of what it was like to be a rebellious teenager; needless to say, you will be reminiscing of your old high school days after seeing this film. Highly recommended for both the family (since it is a very youthful but also for adults since there are many jokes that are funnier with age and experience.