Rock & Rule (1983)

Rock & Rule was the first animated feature produced by Nelvana, a Canadian studio that created a great deal of content that younger Gen X and older millennials have substantial regard for. While it was first pitched as a children's movie, three years of development resulted in Rock & Rule becoming an adult-skewing, post-apocalyptic parable centering on a rock band using their harmonies to prevent a demonic summoning. It boasts vivid multi-plane camera effects, surprisingly smooth animation, oddly memorable character designs, and a soundtrack featuring Blondie, Cheap Trick, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, and Earth, Wind, And Fire. Rock & Roll was a box office disaster and its never been easy to find on physical media or streaming, but it gradually grew a cult audience through persistent bootlegging. Keeping to tradition, Ryan and Cheryl watched a pirated version of Rock & Rule since the official channels wanted twenty goddamned dollars to rent the thing. Their conversation about the film delves into thematic points such as the story's interpretation of femininity, the role of punk and new wave in the narrative, how animation gets pigeonholed in the North American entertainment market, and how the cyberpunk aesthetic plays into the movie's presentation.