The Rock-afire Explosion Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Rock-afire Explosion Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 27, 2024

Nostalgia, the undiluted variety, can assume the form of tender memories that enhance the human experience, providing illumination in the strangest of places. Nostalgia can also foster obsession, either for objects or a return to a supposed simplicity of life that’s impossible to reconstruct in the modern world. 2008’s “The Rock-afire Explosion” itemizes the efforts of sensitive individuals who ache to grasp the elusive comfort of the past to help brighten their future, only the object of desire in play here might raise a few eyebrows.

The band was called The Rock-afire Explosion, and their hits and vigorous stage demeanor electrified a generation of fans who still hold the memories of the group’s triumphs deep inside their hearts. Taking center stage at Showbiz Pizza restaurants, The Rock-afire Explosion was actually an assortment of gigantic animatronic animal characters decked out with flashy costumes and oversized instruments, running through a pre- programmed list of songs and funky robotic moves to charm the giddy groups gathered to boisterously celebrate, play video games until their fingers bled, and eat gobs of pizza. Reigning supreme for the better part of a decade, the Explosion took elementary school audiences by storm, leaving some, like Alabama resident Chris Thrash, to dream of the day when they could possess their very own version of the band.

It took Thrash about 20 years, but through serious small-town vocational efforts and the availability of some extra space on his property, the soft- spoken man claimed his wish, building his own Rock-afire Explosion with help from the band’s creator and online guardian, the excitable Aaron Fechter. “Explosion” tells the story of these two men and how their obsession with the group shaped their lives, bringing the audience on a documentary expedition of harmless fixation and dedication to a childhood distraction that was rudely taken away through the unforgiving process of bankruptcy and generational maturity. How these men maintained their fandom for such an unusual object of desire through decades of jarring pop culture shifts and increasingly innovative entertainment demands is only the tip of the iceberg here.

Working with his Creative Engineering, Inc. company, Fechter was the brainchild behind the formation of the Rock-afire Explosion, installed into 200 Showbiz Pizza restaurants by the mid-1980s. Creating a musical act defined by intricate animatronic movement, catchy cartoon personalities, and a set list of comforting family-friendly tunes, the act was an immediate smash, bewitching the imagination of kids like Thrash. Showbiz and the Explosion eventually imploded, but Fechter and his everlasting enthusiasm for inventing and entertaining remains in full effect, as witnessed by Whitcomb, who visits the Creative Engineering headquarters in Orlando to inventory the scraps left of the Explosion and Fechter himself.

The miracle of “Explosion” is how seriously Whitcomb takes this whole sparkly subculture. Interviewing band “groupies” (people replete with merch, tattoos, and enduring memories), the director constructs an interesting portrait of fandom, Peter Pan syndrome, and genuine love for a lost childhood artifact. Thrash and Fechter are an idiosyncratic pair of men who are spiritually elevated by this pursuit, with the former working his Mountain Dew-fueled ambitions to positive ends of distraction, finding viral video majesty when he programmed the Explosion to “perform” modern pop songs from the day; using the reincarnation to herd like-minded souls out there suffering from Showbiz Pizza withdrawal and opening the group to a whole new generation of kids who never knew the pleasures of 1980’s arcade culture.

The Rock-afire Explosion Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Rock-afire Explosion" deals with the endeavor's shot-on-video appearance. Softness is expected, but a general sense of frame information is appreciable, including interviewees and their personal appearances and fashion choices. Rock-afire Explosion retains slight detail with their furry appearances. Living spaces and warehouse tours are open for brief exploration, picking up on decorative choices and general messiness. Color retains some age, but primaries are acceptable, enjoying the brighter hues on the animatronics and their stage set-up. Clothing and memorabilia also provide some livelier primaries. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good condition.

The Rock-afire Explosion Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix maintains a capable understanding of dialogue exchanges, with interview footage securing decently clear thoughts and emphasis, and accents aren't troublesome. Musical moods are understood, delivering acceptable instrumentation. Soundtrack selections and performances are appreciable.

The Rock-afire Explosion Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features filmmakers Brett Whitcomb and Bradford Thomason.

• Outtakes (39:00, SD) pays a visit to Aaron Fechter's office at Creative Engineering, which also served as his living space for some time. He shows of his "Anti-Gravity Freedom Machines," which acted as a precursor to email, debuting the device just as the internet was starting to take shape. There are more inventions to share, including an animatronic character that can actually play the drums. Fechter goes on to share a lengthy tale about his time with the "Whac-A-Mole" game, refining the original version of the system, only to have it taken out of his hands, and he provides some inspiration for the "Goofy Gas" bit. Also stashed in the warehouse is an alien band concept, with songs promoting alternative energy and world peace. Chris Thrash returns with additional property tours, showing off more Rock-afire sets and a Halloween hearse. He also supplies a detailed look at the mechanisms that power movement of The Rock-afire Explosion in his backyard. More time with fandom is presented, with interviewees carefully identifying band characters, providing history and behaviors, and the history of showbizpizza.com is recalled, with Travis Schafer offering details about his upbringing.

• Creative Engineering Promo Video (2:52, SD) is an offering of salesmanship from Aaron Fechter's Orlando company, focusing on three animatronic characters showing off their moves and singing a few songs for the camera.

• "Tune Machine" (1:52, SD) is a comedy and musical bit performed by the Rock-afire Explosion.

• "Willy Wabbit" (1:14, SD) is a news clip from 1976, highlighting a young Aaron Fechter and his newest animatronic creation, which was prepared as a promotional tool for the entertainment center of Orlando, Mystery Fun House.

• "Pizza Party" (5:06, SD) is a promotional video for Showbiz Pizza Place, advertising their party line, where parents can make reservations for upcoming birthday celebrations. There are training video additions as well, walking employees through the Showbiz event procedures.

• "Uncle Klunk" (:33, SD) is a commercial for Showbiz Pizza Place, promoting the latest addition to the entertainment line- up.

• Image Gallery (3:10) collects BTS snaps and character images.

• And a Trailer (3:01, SD) is included.

The Rock-afire Explosion Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's amazing how much mileage Whitcomb squeezes out of the subject matter, tracing the history of Showbiz Pizza and the monetary drought that greeted Fechter when the Explosion golden age passed. This is a wonderful, enlightening, and affectionate documentary providing a sugar-shocked exploration of a distant memory kept alive by a faithful few. Through their considerable, indefatigable efforts, the legend of Billy Bob, Dook LaRue, Beach Bear, Rolfe DeWolf, and the incomparable Fatz Geronimo blazes on in the most unlikely of places and people.