The Rocker needed a bit more Rainn

By Roger Moore | Orlando Sentinel

August 20, 2008

The Rocker, a School of Rock clone set in the hedonistic, hard-drinking, hotel-room-trashing world of rock, gets misty-eyed over the idea that every loser deserves a second chance at glory.

When his nephew's power-pop band asks him to fill in when they land a gig at their high school prom, Rob "Fish" Fishman (Rainn Wilson), a washed-up drummer kicked out of his own band 20 years before, sees his second chance. Wilson is funny and touching. He runs through the full Will Ferrell repertoire without ever going as far as Ferrell does to win a laugh. But the movie needed a freer version of this "free spirit" he's playing.

Will Arnett is hilarious in a supporting turn as the Poison-ish lead singer for Fish's old band. Jason Sudekis kills as a weasel from the record company. Emma Stone makes a strong impression as the brooding bass player.

Still, director Peter Cattaneo (The Fully Monty) is more at home with the stage moments and sentimental stuff than he is with the funny bits. TheRocker feels safe, a long way from cutting edge.