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Epicurus.com - Shock Treatment
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List Price: $12.98
Our Price: $12.33
Your Save: $ 0.65 ( 5% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Starring: Jessica Harper, Cliff De Young, Richard O'Brien, Patricia Quinn, Charles Gray
Directed By: Jim Sharman
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Average Customer Rating:   
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Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786302795561
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 6302795567
Label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 1993-09-29
Running Time: 93
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Theatrical Release Date: 1981
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Collection rarities
Comment: Even die hard Rocky Horror fans will cringe at this movie. This film is like the seriously embarrasing black sheep sister in the Rocky Horror family. However, unlike Rocky Horror that you can enjoy multiple viewings of, this is worth only a one or 2 time look. If all the original cast were in it, and maybe a bit darker of atmosphere, it may have had a chance. God Bless Richard O'Brien's 70's rock #'s in the original masterpiece. This is more his 80's excurtion in comedy. You'll need shock treatment after watching this! However, I like weirdness, and there is some remedial value on that level. I own it as a Rocky fanatic, only for completing the collection.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Strange, unimpressive, non-entertaining (typical sequel?)
Comment: Since I like RHS, I decided to have a look at this sequel. Given that it's not particularly well known (some people calling it "hidden gem"...), I was wondering whether there is a reason for that -- after all, you'd think rocky-heads would definitely have checked it out.
Well, yes, there is a reason. This musical/movie is rubbish, almost complete waste of time. Lack of plot is more evident than in RHS, and all in all it's just meaningless -- not funny, not particularly witty, doesn't go anywhere. And its "criticism" of media (or parody of 60s/70s tv shows, whatever) is too direct, too unsubtle. All in all, it's unfortunately a quite typical sequel.
I guess it is possible that in its time this was relevant, and it has just aged badly. But there are many movies that were relevant in their day and yet are still enjoyable to watch. This one is not vintage wine but low-grade vinegar.
I still give it two stars (as opposed to one) since it is some fun to spot all early-80s artifacts, from Space Invaders arcade machines to hair styles. And character casting/acting is not bad, even though plot is below sub-standard, and music is just-ok as well.
Customer Rating:
Summary: "DVD player, can't this movie end sooner than later...?"
Comment: "Shock Treatment" is the sequel to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". It bombed at the box office and was nearly forgotten until it was finally released on DVD. Apparently it's had a bit of a cult fandom, though not as strong as the original. Unfortunately, the film its fans adore isn't as strong either.
The plot involves Brad and Janet (our heroes from the previous film) finding themselves in "Denton, USA", a TV station that practically functions as its own city. They're chosen as contestants for a medical game show, and the owner of the station falls in love with Janet. He immediately has Brad locked up while Janet is brain-washed into his adoring bride. Among the strange, eclectic cast include the two doctors overlooking Brad (Richard O'Brien and Patricia Quinn, playing incest again) the nurse (Nell Campbell, aka Little Nell) and the "blind" show host.
The ensemble is all right for the most part. Brad and Janet are played by two different people: Cliff De Young and Jessica Harper. They're OK, except I could never get over Jessica Harper's voice; it can sometimes get deep, kinda like Cher's does, and there were times where she was singing off-screen and I actually, sincerely thought Brad was singing!
The story itself tries really hard to be clever, but falls short of a lot of potential. Spoofing sensationalist television would especially strike a chord in this day and age of reality shows, but the movie can't get off the ground with it. It just sticks to the thin plot of the villain's love for Janet and kinda lingers on that for a long while. Halfway through this movie gets terribly boring, and feels like it goes on forever. Right to the very end you're worried that you, yourself, are stuck in a show, forced to partake in whatever the studio manager desires you to do. Yeah, "Rocky Horror" was weird, but at least after each song you felt like you were going somewhere, not just stuck in a mobius strip of weirdness.
I once read a review that said this film was ahead of its time, but O'Brien needed to clean up the script - I have to agree with that. I really wanted to enjoy this film; some of the songs (like "Denton USA" or "B****in' In the Kitchen") are really catchy, and it has a fun style of film making to it. It's just too bad the storyline and wit couldn't have been sharper.
Customer Rating:
Summary: 1 star movie get's 5 star treatment
Comment: I give this movie 5 stars because the songs are infectious and catchy and the if you have a sense of humour and love subtlety then this early 80's musical is for you.
By the time this movie was released in September 1981, movie musicals had almost stopped being made. With the exception of the awefull Grease 2 (filmed the same year but released in 1982) and that's why.
This has NOTHING TO DO WITH ROCKY HORROR and that's it's strength.
These songs are more grown up and deal with more adult emotion and experience than RHPS. If you enjoy Richard O'Brien's lyrics and his campy humour then you will like this movie.
It bombed in the theatre and had a short lived life on the rental shelves but it's better than that. It's cooky and funny and a bit slow in plac es but the musicaly numbers make up for it.
This DVD release is ABSOLUTELY outstanding. The picture is SO CLEAR and you are offered a 5.1 audio mix or the original 2.0 stereo mix.
Buy this to complete your 80's musical collection!!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Better than Rocky Horror
Comment: When you watch Shock Treatment, it's better to forget about The Rocky Horror Picture Show altogether. It makes no sense to compare the two films, because Shock Treatment doesn't have much in common with the previous film: It's a musical, Brad and Janet are once again the main characters (now played by the wonderful Jessica Harper and Cliff De Young), some of the same actors reappear here in different roles, and Betty Hapschatt is back (this time played by Ruby Wax), but the only recurring actor/character from Rocky Horror is Ralph Hapschatt, played by Jeremy Newson. The concept is entirely unrelated to Rocky Horror, and if you are expecting to see Dr. Frank-N-Furter or any blatant sexuality, you will be highly disappointed.
That said, if you are ready for a new movie with a highly original concept and with some great songs, you will probably enjoy Shock Treatment. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense the first time through, but stick with it and I believe the songs and the spirited performances will win you over. The always reliable Jessica Harper delivers a particularly marvelous performance and her sultry voice is silky-smooth. In fact, this could be a companion to her previous musical, 1974's Phantom of the Paradise, in which she plays a character who similarly achieves fame and regrets it.
Cliff De Young doesn't work quite as well in the role of Brad, but he also plays the role of Farley Flavors and it made me realize what a fine actor he is. These two characters have two distinct personalities, and De Young is a master at keeping the two separate, even when the storyline hints that they may be closer than we originally imagined. I once read that someone didn't realize they were played by the same actor until he saw the end credits.
The other actors are fine, especially Darlene Johnson as Janet's mother; Richard O'Brien as the odd Dr. Cosmo McKinley; Patricia Quinn as his sister and colleague, Nation; and Barry Humphries (Dame Edna himself) as blind TV personality Bert Schnick. The writing by Richard O'Brien is clever and the dialogue is snappy ("Thank God he was born an orphan. It would have killed his parents."). Something should also be said of the costuming and set design, which are superb. The colors pop out and threaten to punch you in the face. Considering the whole film takes place on various sets in a television studio, it's quite remarkable that the filmmakers are able to keep your attention by making each set visually interesting.
The best of the songs, for me, are "Shock Treatment", "Me of Me", "Lullaby", "In My Own Way", "Little Black Dress", and "Looking For Trade". The other songs are very good, too, but these are the standouts. The songs are catchier and cleverer than those in Rocky Horror, and I listen to the Shock Treatment soundtrack much more often (hell, even the president of the Rocky Horror fan club has admitted to this).
I don't want you all to think that I hate Rocky Horror or anything. At one time, it was my favorite movie. I discovered Shock Treatment a few years ago and didn't think much of it at first. Then, after listening to the soundtrack repeatedly and getting hooked on the music, I watched the film again and I grabbed it, so to speak. I got it. Now I think Shock Treatment is a better film than Rocky Horror, but not by much, of course.
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