Charming Retro Tribute to '80's Hair or Metal or Some Sort of Rock Bands

Rating: 6/10 (19 December 2005)

Watch enough of VH-1's "Behind the Music" and you can figure out the plot of "Rock Star."
I was late so may have missed a philosophical discussion of the difference between a covers band and a tribute band (hmm, that may be worth thinking about for a few minutes). Having missed the '80's in music due to having a life, I did try to figure out if the fictional band was just a hair band, a hard rock band, a light metal band, thrash metal or what, as it's based on Judas Priest which is more metal and alienated than this.
But with all those caveats, I was surprised how enjoyable the movie was, and with a fun authentic-sounding soundtrack with folks like Jason Bonham and Zakk Wylde in the fictional band (well, to me as a non-expert in whatever light metal rock genre it is with AC/DC, Bon Jovi, etc.).
Mark Wahlberg is simply charming through all the hair extensions, much more like his earnest eager to please "Boogie Nights" character than his would-be hero in "Planet of the Apes." Jennifer Aniston's character is surprisingly more intelligent and secure than her "Friends" persona.
The groupies here are much less benign than the Muses of "Almost Famous," but then this is a decade later in the travails of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. I don't think I've heard this line from a professional stripper in a VH-1 music movie: "Hey I need to do you now cause I have to get to my job by midnight."
The production values are very high. The concert authenticity is excellent, as they filmed the scenes as opening acts to genuine metal concerts.
The soundtrack is worth dancing around the kitchen and re-living '80's days I never had.
(originally written 9/29/2001)