Where to watch Detroit Rock City
3 Stars
Four members of a high school band called Mystery do everything they can to attend a KISS concert in Detroit. In order to make it to the show they must steal, cheat, strip, deal with an anti-rock mom and generally do whatever it takes to see the band that has inspired them to be musicians.
Adam Rifkin’s loving ode to KISS and the year 1978 is a charming and highly enjoyable comedy. It’s not a laugh-out-loud fest like genre classics like There’s Something About Mary or Ace Ventura, but it’s the kind of movie that plastered a grin on my face throughout its seemingly short running time. Detroit Rock City is a movie that is a mixed bag of a road trip picture, a coming-of-age story, and a statement on conformity due to others’ criticisms. And then there is the music of KISS. I’ve never been a huge fan of the glam band, but that isn’t an essential ingredient for liking this movie.
The perfectly assembled cast is right on target with the look, lingo, and attitude of late 70’s-era teens. As much as KISS permeates the film, the story is a road trip movie, a buddy comedy, and a raunchy teen screwball flick with a fantastic era-appropriate soundtrack. Director Adam Rifkin keeps the energy high and the chuckles plentiful. The young cast is quite good, though I could have done without Furlong’s strip scene, and an appearance from Shannon Tweed adds to the fun.
Directed by: Adam Rifkin
Written by: Carl V. Dupré
Starring: Edward Furlong, Giuseppe Andrews, James DeBello