Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Rock 'n' Roll High School 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 11, 2024

Few films are as joyous as 1979’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School.” The Roger Corman-produced endeavor gleefully updates the teen rebellion subgenre from the 1950s for a new generation, attempting to reach a fresh audience with its display of evil educational authority, teenage lust, and the power of musical liberation, and the Ramones are brought in to portray the sonic force of deliverance. Director Allan Arkush goes big and broad with the feature, but he manages to avoid chaos, creating an exceedingly good-natured romp that’s free enough to be silly without sliding into overkill. “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” is out to provide a good time and great tunes, achieving most of its creative goals, especially when it comes to the sheer spirit of this irresistible comedy.

For additional information and analysis, please read the 2019 Blu-ray review.

Rock 'n' Roll High School 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shout Factory did well by "Rock 'n' Roll High School" in their 2019 Blu-ray release, and they return with a bit more visual firepower, offering a "new 4K scan from the original camera negative." The Dolby Vision viewing experience brings out a bit more vividness from the low-budget endeavor, giving colors a pleasant boost throughout, also finding refreshed nuances with concert lighting and decorative additions around the school and L.A. streets. Primaries are distinct, capturing sharp reds and yellows. Skin tones are natural. Blacks are deep, doing well with leather jackets and evening activities. Orange fire blasts are vivid. Highlights remain tasteful throughout. Depth is maintained around locations and rooms, and detail captures a variety of skin particulars on the cast. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition. Overall, it's a pleasant upgrade, but not necessarily a shocking one, doing well with the movie's cartoon tone.

Rock 'n' Roll High School 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Much like the 2019 Blu-ray, "Rock 'n' Roll High School" runs into the same production limitations, dealing with crackly highs during musical performances. The thinness of the mix of exposed at many points in the listening experience, but intelligibility is never threatened, and musical offerings from the Ramones carry some sonic lift. A previous issue with a missing line at 9:50 ("I need to get laid") is corrected here.

Rock 'n' Roll High School 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (6:59, HD) offers a welcome from director Allan Arkush, who uses his phone to take a tour of his Oregon house and think up fresh tales to share about "Rock 'n' Roll High School." The interviewee details his initial pitch for the movie, running into a famous writer while hatching out a story plan with Joe Dante at a Hollywood restaurant. This person offered his lascivious take on a high school movie, inspiring the plot of the feature.

• Commentary #1 features director Allan Arkush, producer Mike Finnell, and co-writer Richard Whitley.

• Commentary #2 features director Allan Arkush and actors P.J. Soles and Clint Howard.

• Commentary #3features co-writers Richard Whitley and Russ Dvonch.

• Commentary #4 features producer Roger Corman and actress Dey Young.

• Commentary #5 features author Stephen B. Armstrong.

• Bonus Movie: "Rock 'n' Roll High School Forever" (91:31, SD), a 1991 sequel starring Corey Feldman and Mary Woronov.

• "Hit It Marky!" (19:44, HD) is an interview with drummer Marky Ramone, who was only in the Ramones for a few months before filming began on "Rock 'n' Roll High School," experiencing a hectic 1979. Memories of Roger Corman are shared, as the band were fans of the producer, happily to join the picture, also enjoying the script. Scheduling demands are recalled, keeping the Ramones on tour between shooting days, which involved a live concert and time inside a bedroom during one musical number that ended with an improvised moment, surprising Marky. The interviewee remembers select scenes from the picture, as cameras captured him struggling to hear playback, and he recalls his excitement to be in the film, celebrating his bandmates and co-stars. Marky closes with his first impression of the endeavor and the state of his music career, still playing Ramones hits in a new band.

• "Class of '79: 40 Years of 'Rock 'n' Roll High School'" (74:07, HD) is a lengthy examination of the production history behind the movie (and this UHD release adds four minutes to the run time, expanding some interviews). Allan Arkush is the primary contributor here, delving into his initial viewing of "A Hard Day's Night," which inspired him to become a director. Making his way west, Arkush found his way to Roger Corman, becoming part of his team as an editor of trailers, joining Joe Dante. After making "Hollywood Boulevard" together, Dante and Arkush were tasked to hash out the details of "Girls' Gym," a teen romp Corman wanted to make, only to have the filmmakers change the material to a musical comedy. Solving production problems on "Deathsport," Arkush was finally handed a chance to make "Rock 'n' Roll High School," which was filled with real-world influences from his own adolescence, while comedic rewrites were handled by Richard Whitley and Russ Dvonch. Finding the right band proved to be difficult, as Arkush was against the casting of the Ramones at first. School scouting and additional casting tales are shared, joined by memories of on-set Ramones interactions. Additional topics include the climatic school explosion, Rob Bottin and his giant mouse creation, Arkush's battle with illness (forcing Dante to shoot a section of the feature), editing challenges and soundtrack miracles, post-production disagreements, and the effort's initial release. Arkush also examines the lasting legacy of "Rock 'n' Roll High School," happy to be associated with the endeavor.

• "Allan Arkush 2019 Sunday Slasher Intro" (5:30, HD) returns to the helmer, who recycles production origin information for "Rock 'n' Roll High School," exploring movie inspirations and influences.

• "Joey Ramone Birthday Bash" (3:56, HD) offers more thoughts from director Allan Arkush, who provides memories from his days with the singer, reflecting on their longtime friendship and battles of music taste.

• "The Real Riff Randell" (2:07, HD) reunites with director Allan Arkush in San Diego, joined by Gayle, who served as the inspiration for the spirited, music-loving character from "Rock 'n' Roll High School."

• "Back to School" (23:46, SD) is an older featurette for "Rock 'n' Roll High School," with Arkush joined by actors P.J. Soles, Mary Woronov, Clint Howard, Dey Young, and Loren Lester, producer Roger Corman, and drummer Marky Ramone. Many tales from the production are offered, from a pleasingly enthusiastic group of interviewees.

• "Staying After Class" (16:02, HD) is a trip down memory lane with actors Vincent Van Patten, P.J. Soles, and Dey Young, who gather at a high school lunch table and trade tales from the making of "Rock 'n' Roll High School."

• Interview (4:36, SD) with Roger Corman is a brief run-through of "Rock 'n' Roll High School" tales, hosted by Leonard Maltin.

• Interview (11:35, HD) with director Allan Arkush revisits his moviemaking memories, detailing the assembly of "Rock 'n' Roll High School."

• Audio Outtakes (15:23) offers sound from the 1978 Ramones concert used in the movie.

• "Trailers From Hell" (2:18, SD) presents Eli Roth and his thoughts on "Rock 'n' Roll High School."

• T.V. Spot (:34, SD) provides a commercial for "Rock 'n' Roll High School."

• Radio Ads (1:05) collect two spots for the film.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:11, HD) is included.

Rock 'n' Roll High School 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Rock 'n' Roll High School" miraculously avoids many B-movie pitfalls, offering a decent level of craftsmanship for this type of picture. There's invention in play with sight gags and editing. Music is divine, as the Ramones, in their prime, offer a few of the greatest hits (and unseasoned screen presence) with enthusiasm, joined by an excellent soundtrack. It's the acting that really elevates the endeavor, as the cast breathes life into the feature, delivering terrific timing and enthusiasm for everything. This excitement is infectious, creating a hilarious viewing experience, and one that successfully captures adolescent passions and concerns while still loving any opportunity to play as goofy as possible.