Fade Dragontear Rock and rule also known as the ring of power in the UK is a 1983 Canadian animated film created by the Nelvana company. Legend has it that Nelvana was approached to create a segment for Heavy Metal but declined instead opting to create their own feature length film. Legend also has it that it failed so epically that the studio almost went bankrupt because of it. So lets take a look at Rock and Rule.We are introduced firstly to our villain Mok, An egotistical rock star who looks and acts like the result of a hot night of passionate love making between Mick Jagger and David Bowie. The Plot exposition computer explains that he is seeking something called the Armageddon key, and that he will need a voice to open a gateway to another dimension.We cut into Ohmtown and are introduced to our protagonists, members of a smalltime band playing gigs at a open mike night. Its around this point in the movie you might be asking yourself why everyone looks like rejects from the goofy movie, iunno, anyway there's the vocal duo of Omar, Angel backed up by the musical accompaniment of Dizzy and Stretch.Without doing a scene by scene analysis Mok invites the band to his mansion to discuss a record contract, but we quickly learn where his interests lie when he instead kidnaps angel and its up to Omar and the gang to pursue mok to Nuke York to rescue her.This film seems very confused as to who they are aiming for, it has a very child friendly Disney-esque look but with adult content such as drug abuse, some brief nudity and adult language mixed in.The villain Mok also seems seriously confused about his role, hes extremely menacing in some pretty scary ways but he has this super campy "ohhh I'm the villain" song and he goes from looking like a stereotypical 80s rock star to lookin like a F***in California raisin on extacy somewhere along the way.animation is very good with lots of fluid movements and eyecandy for the viewer, compared to other animation of the time it comes out quite well. Its like the flipper baby result of a passionate night of love making between Heavy Metal and Disney which seem like polar opposites but in this case it actually works in this films favor.The high points of this film are definitely the musical scenes with awesome soundtrack contributions from greats like cheap trick, Debbie Harry and Lou Reed and earth wind and fire. As mentioned before this film was a huge flop making only 30 grand of its 8 million dollar budget according to IMDb, did it deserve better? I think so. While not quite on the level of classics like heavy metal, I find it to be an enjoyable film worth bringing up over 30 years later.So that's my short look at Rock & Rule, if you would like to see the video version of the review it can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUzRnHnFTOo

machngunjoe I saw this when I was 5 or 6 and always remembered it as the Mok movie. I saw the remastered version and fell deeply in love with it all over again. This is a true underground cult animated classic. And all the Adult themes in it had me rolling on the ground laughing. Well for that matter it probably isn't a kids feature even though that's how I saw it... Who knew that was cocaine and pills the weird mutant dogs and rats were taking! The music is still great especially "I hate you" and the final song "angels song." The Movie was very very funny too, even by todays standards. The characters are unique and memorable. Anyway this movie blows "Heavy Metal" out of the water.Don't know if its for kids, but hey I turned out OK.

silentbob73 This is hands-down one of the greatest cartoons ever produced. I first saw it in the early/mid 80's on CBC TV here in Canada (and luckily caught it on videotape - I was a videophile even as a child of 10 or so). Everything about this movie is spot on - from the animation to the storyline to the music (especially the music - but I'll get to that). Created by Nelvana Studios (here in The Great White North - take that ya Yanks - tee hee), it follows the journey of four post-apocalyptic (more or less anyway - society as we know it ain't there anymore) demi-humans (see D&D manuals for an explanation of THAT terminology) in a band whose female lead is the key to a madman music star's plot to gain ultimate power through raising a world-ending demon. The animation is nearly Disney-worthy in full motion, and the are a number of beautifully rendered stills panned for effect throughout.The story is solid overall - not exactly Oscar material - but the concept holds up plausibly in the world in which it's set.The music is really the highlight of this feature. I don't want to down Heavy Metal 'cause that was a great piece of work as well - 'twas better in story though weaker in animation but the soundtrack is clearly the deciding factor betwixt the two if one had to decide (and isn't life all about decisions? ;-) From the opening theme throughout the various storyline performances and interludes right to the closing duet (featuring the likes of Cheap Trick, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, and Debbie Harry), this is a rock opera every bit as important as "The Wall" or "Tommy". Though obviously not exclusively by one artist as the aforementioned, the cohesion of the musical flow in this picture truly transports one into the oftentimes dark and ominous world of Ohmtown and Nuke York. The coalescence of pounding rock 'n roll, electronically-based 80's pop, and heartfelt balladry brings the themes and ideas behind the work home with force. A quality viewing for anyone who has an interest in the genre - not necessarily made for kids but not Anime-style in it's profanity or violence either - just a great preteen-plus animated movie overall.Gotta give this one 5 stars - though the nostalgia factor probably gives it an extra star or so, 'tis one of the finest features ever put to paper.PeaceThe Bob

bleedingmonky002 I have a tendency to go into video stores not really knowing what I'm looking for. when I saw "Rock and Rule" on the self, I was immediately drawn to the cultish feel this movie had to it, and when I finally got around to renting it, I was blown away.I have seen a lot of VERY good animated features (Akira, Totoro and the original 101 Dalmatians) but rock and rule has to be among the best. I know that a few people like to bash this movie, saying that the directing is inept, the characters aren't developed or the animation is dated.These people are probably the same people who hate Napoleon Dynamite just to be rebels. In order to really appreciate Rock and Rule, you have to think about the time it was made in, and then you will realize just how groundbreaking it really was.the animation is superb, period. nelvana (the producers) nearly went bankrupt when they made this movie, and you can clearly see why. some of the first usage of CGI in animated film is used in RR, and it is generally extremely high quality for an eighties flick. Oh, and lets not forget about Mok. Mok, a parody of Mick Jagger, has to be one of the best cinematic villains of all time. From his incredibly expressive lips (JAGGER!) to the excellent voice acting provided by Don Francks, he is mesmerizing to behold, and basically sells the film on his own.All in all, the story is excellent, the songs are incredible and the animation is an example of the best of its period. If you ever hope to be an animation buff, or cult buff, you have to see this movie. it simply isn't an option.