Greetings everyone. Capone in Chicago here.

Damn, I really wanted to like this movie more, but in the end, this Rainn Wilson-starring work feels like it's pandering to a younger and far less demanding audience. It's almost not fair to compare this very PG-13-rated story of former '80s rock band drummer Robert "Fish" Fishman to some of the superior R-rated work that's been gracing us this August (a couple of which also came out today), and there are some laughs with THE ROCKER, without a doubt. But so much of it is obvious and lowbrow, and frankly I expect a little more from Wilson, who has been consistently good as Dwight on "The Office." Here, he thinks simply getting insanely sweaty and walking around in various stages of undress passes for comedy (is it any wonder that THE FULL MONTY director Peter Cattaneo helms this movie?). I guess it does the first six or seven times, but this film wore me down and eventually out.

Some of the best material here comes in the opening few minutes when we see Fish drumming for his original band (featuring some great cameos I won't ruin here) and getting unceremoniously kicked out just as the group signs a major record deal. He's spent 20 years working dull office jobs while the band grew in popularity. Fish seethes about this every day of his life. When Fish asks his sister (Jane Lynch) and brother-in-law (Jeff Garlin) if he can stay with them for a little bit, he comes into contact with his high school-age nephew (21's Josh Gad), who happens to have a band in need of a drummer. The other band members include real-life singer Teddy Geiger and SUPERBAD's Emma Stone, who also appears in this week's The House Bunny. Eventually they convince Uncle Fish to join the band, and he teaches them to go from a cute little pop band to a rockin' force of nature. A record promoter (Jason Sudeikis, maybe the most consistently funny performer in this movie) convinces the group to hit the road (with parents' permission, of course). One of the parents in question is played by Christina Applegate, who Fish takes an instant liking to. While I find Applegate attractive, the filmmakers give her nothing to really do or contribute to this story. As a result, any scenes that include her are rendered instantly boring and useless.

I guess I'm happy to see Wilson stretch himself as an actor somewhat. Fish will never be mistaken for Dwight, and I applaud him for trying something different. But the hard, cold truth is that the film just isn't that funny. That being said, I've seen the film twice (once with all critics and once with a human audience), and the second time, the audience seemed to love it. So if you are looking for a family-friendly crowd pleaser, you could do worse, especially in today's minefield of R-rated comedies. I just wish something more had clicked for me, whether it was the humor or the music or the romance. I was looking for an in, and never really found one that fully satisfied me. If you consider yourself someone with discerning tastes, you may not dig THE ROCKER. If you're easier to please, you should be golden.

-- Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com