Runaways Review

   I love a good movie about rock and roll, a few months ago I was blown away by It Might Get Loud, School of Rock with Jack Black still gives me laughs, and the classic rockumentary Spinal Tap will go on to eleven as long as heavy metal exists, forever. Now enter The Runaways, the story of Joan Jett's first band. This isn't just a documentary, it's a true scripted featuring Kirsten Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie, the lead singer, great they both acted in Twilight.

  But you know what, forget about that, and not just because Kirsten Stewart acted in the surprisingly immaculate Adventureland, The Runaways may be about an all girl hard rock band but it's anything but a full on chick flick. This details the at times bleakness of fame and tensions between the band on the road. The movie's main conflict is between the band's manager, who is suffice to say a total ass and complete douchebag.

This movie does what rock 'n' roll films don't do very often, making you feel like your in their lifestyle. If you remember how well Notorious did at transporting you into the lifestyle of it's musicians, whereas in Notorious there was rapping and selling crack, Runaways there's rocking out along with underage smoking and drinking; pick your poison. The Runaways does feel a lot like Notorious in the sense of showing the rise, fall, and controversies surrounding famous musicians but like Biggie's tale and like it, it doesn't come without it's inconsistencies.

  For one the whole tough girl thing gets a little stale after the first 30 minutes or so, but once the story hits the road, it's not much of a problem anymore, but it doesn't excuse the occasional awkwardness in the beginning, once you see Joan's reaction when her guitar teacher tells her girls don't play electric guitars, you'll know what I'm talking about. What really takes a hit is the emotion, or often lack-thereof. Cherie from the beginning has major problems with her family, but it never really gives you much impact. It may be a somewhat dry film, but the overall vibe the film brings saves it from being just ok.

3.5/5