Campy, Wild, Eccentric, and Oddly Appealing: RHPS is A Wonderful Cult Classic!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Cheesy, quirky, b-movie goodness. Cult Classic!

Cons: MANY will find too weird.

The Bottom Line: 
Rocky Horror Picture Show is a one of a kind experience that the lovers of all things weird must see!

Author's Review
Ah, Rocky Horror Picture Show. Just the title of it brings back so many memories, of wild fun. I would be extremely surprised if anyone has NOT at least HEARD of this wonderful cult classic, and most have seen it. It started off as a play, and it was widely successful. It was then made into a quirky, wild B-movie starring Tim Curry filled with transvestites, aliens, an average couple, and of course: pleasure. This film is definitely not for everyone, filled with oddities and a lot of risqué content. However, for those who are into completely oddball, quirky, action-musicals: this one of a kind film is the one for you!

The story is presented in a very cheesy, campy format with a major 70's vibe that goes along with it. It is filled with songs, eccentric costumes, and cheap set pieces. Of course, this all adds to it's wonderful following. Anyways, the "just-married", average couple: Brad and Janet are driving along the rode late one night. It is very stormy out, and they get a flat tower. They walk to a nearby, eerie looking mansion in search of a phone to call some help.  A hunchback, rough looking manservant named "Riff-Raff", greets them. We soon meet his sister and lover (yes, sister and lover) Magenta. They sing a classic song (probably the most classic of all) called the "Time Warp".

Brad and Janet are utterly shocked at the quirkiness being displayed by all of these people, and they are put on edge. In fact, Janet repeatedly faints. It is truly a campy, hilarious happening, and it sets the stage for the rest of the oddness to come. After the time-warp, the mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter reveals himself to Brad and Janet in his ever-famous song "Sweet Transvestite". Yes, Dr. Frank-N-Furter is an iconic transvestite dressed in a sparkling red leotard and fishnets. As you can see, what I mentioned earlier is true: a lot of people will watch this film and scratch their heads.

Anyways, Dr. Frank-N-Furter would like to reveal his new work of art: Rocky. He has succeeded at creating life itself, and he succeeds at creating a blond, buff man for him to love. From then on out, it gets crazier and crazier, each scene getting more eccentric and over the top than the last. It will never cease to amaze you at the odd ideas it comes up with, and every second of it is savory, eccentric, B-movie goodness.  Sit back, relax, and take it all in, or dress up, go all out, and see it with some friends. No matter which way you watch it, Rocky Horror is a cult-classic filled with memorable characters and songs.

All of the characters are unique, yes VERY unique, and the most interesting of course is Dr. Frank-N-Furter. He is the mastermind behind Rocky, and he is the owner of the mansion. Everything goes this way, or he throws a fit. He truly is an iconic character, and Tim Curry portrays him wonderfully. Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) also do a fantastic job with their roles, and they bring back a sense of nostalgia. It is hilarious to see them come out of their shells, and they both do a great job with it! The mansion is filled with other odd characters, and the costume design is stellar, despite the low budget.

The songs are absolutely great, every single one of them catchy and memorable. Of course, the most famous are "The Time Warp" and "Sweet Transvestite". The lyrics are wonderful, and often eccentric (but then again, what in this movie isn't?) The imagery is great as well, all coming across as very low budget, and very nostalgic. As mentioned earlier, the costume/set design is over the top and cheesy. It truly is quirky, zany fun.

Overall, Rocky Horror Picture Show is a wonderfully eccentric/odd musical; filled with wild characters and a cheesy 70's vibe. While some will scratch their heads at this film, I absolutely love it! It always makes me laugh, and cheers me up, and it is absolutely GREAT to watch with groups. If you can find it in a theater, that is just an added bonus, but be warned, it gets pretty wild in there! SEE THIS MOVIE, 5-stars from me (just for cheesy-fun, of course its not cinema magic) and I recommend it.

Of course, this is entered into Talyseon's "Let There Be Lips" Write-off.