53
Metascore
28 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75Chicago TribuneMichael PhillipsChicago TribuneMichael PhillipsIt's a lot of fun. Its spirit is genuine and, even with the odd vomit gag, fundamentally sweet.
- 70The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckOvercomes its essential familiarity thanks to a frequently witty script, grounded direction (by Peter Cattaneo, of "Full Monty" fame) and an engaging turn by its star that proves him more than capable of carrying a comedy feature.
- 70VarietyVarietyWilson makes the most of it in this well-crafted, feel-good satire.
- 63Philadelphia InquirerSteven ReaPhiladelphia InquirerSteven ReaThe Rocker can be amusingly dopey, with its "Spinal Tap"-ish lampooning of rock idioms - and idiots.
- 60EmpireEmpireLightweight but likable.
- 50New York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinNew York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinIt's depressing when the best thing you can say about a comedy is that its second-rateness is pleasantly in sync with its unmagnetic hero.
- 50ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliThe Rocker is more disappointing than it is outright bad. One expects something a little fresher from Wilson.
- 42Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanThe only brazen thing about the film is how shamelessly it rips off "School of Rock."
- 40Film ThreatFilm ThreatNot terribly original or funny.
- 40Austin ChronicleMarc SavlovAustin ChronicleMarc SavlovWilson is buoyed by a sporadically witty script, and while there are no surprises whatsoever in the story, his goofy, puppylike charm renders what could have been a disaster merely an unfortunate event.