Detroit Rock City

Released August 1999

Directed By: Adam Rifkin

Starring: Sam Huntington, Giuseppe Andrews, James DeBello, Edward Furlong

 Third Viewing: July 4^th 2009

Roger 2.5/5

  What would YOU do to see a KISS concert if you were in a band with three other teenage boys in the ‘70s? Apparently this burning question is answered with the movie Detroit Rock City.

            This movie is an entertaining frolic about four boys who worship KISS, and their one day of predictable obstacles in their way of getting to a concert in Detroit. They all learn their lessons and get the girl, and in case you’re the type that can’t see movie endings a mile away I’ll spare you the information of whether they get to that concert of theirs or not.

            All campy predictability and crass boyish joking aside, this movie is fun and worth a few laughs. There are some good moments, particularly in the form of vengeance for many of the characters, and there is an amusing little poke at the rivalry between disco and rock.

            The soundtrack literally rocks, and Detroit Rock City does provide an interesting look at what it must have been like to be young when your favourite rock god was actually in your time. Jem is the main character, and he is also the most likeable, and his struggle to free himself from his religious zealot of a mother is probably the most thought-out plot of the four boys.

            Good times and some good moments made this film a solidly enjoyable rental.