daniel s
You have to go into this without comparing it to the Rocky Horror Show/ Picture Show. You have to remember that the Rocky Horror Picture Show is a film adaptation of a musical stage production. Shock Treatment did not have the luxury of testing its content with live audiences for years. If you read up on the production backstory on how the writer's strike impacted filmmaking at the time, it is amazing Shock Treatment even got "finished." I was fortunate enough to read an original copy of this film's screenplay and damn, it would have been something excellent had the strike not occurred. Yet, the production team, company, actors, and financiers were dead set on completing this film with limited resources. They did their very best with what they had.
Fast forward 20 or 30 years and the story and production has more relevance than ever before. Not only will you find fantastic lyrics and ingenious set design, but also a message that resonates with us in modern times than it ever did before in the early 80's.
It's been said more than once, and I will say it again, Richard O'Brien, Jim Sharman, and Richard Hartley were ahead of their times.
Give it a try. It's not a movie. It is an experience.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/29/24
Full Review
Akkadia _
It’s weird, very, very weird. But it’s definitely worth a try if you like weird, funny or just want some good songs.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
10/16/24
Full Review
Teddy B
As bizarre and unique (in its own way) as its cult predecessor, but unfortunately lacking its memorability, iconography, and sheer level of endearing and referential campiness. 'Shock Treatment' is left as notable only for its place in history, its downright bizarre relation to its predecessor, and its underrated soundtrack. Richard O'Brien and Jim Sharman are trying HARD to make this idea work, but the plot is so convoluted that I struggled to keep up and the ending leaves me feeling wholly unsatisfied compared to the all-out ending of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' that showed, for all its inconsistencies, that this film endures as a classic whilst 'Shock Treatment' is in the footsteps of it.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
06/03/24
Full Review
Phaea C
Is this an alternative universe version of Brad and Janet? Is this the story of Brad and Janet after the events of Rocky Horror? Is this a totally different story that just happens to have two characters named Brad and Janet?
Yes.
The insanity of this movie and the music there of, the absolutely bizarre and perfect acting choices, Rik Mayall singing about how his legs were made for dancing...? This is a perfect film. 1,000 stars.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
05/13/24
Full Review
Audience Member
This movie is confusing
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
06/08/24
Full Review
Luke O
Shock Treatment is NOT a sequel to Rocky Horror; it's a stand-alone story that happens to have some characters (at least one played by the original movie's actor) in common. But there's no Frank, no Riff Raff, no Magenta, no Columbia, no Rocky. It's still a good movie. Sure, it has its shortcomings, but what movie doesn't? If you go in hoping to see another Rocky Horror, you'll be severely disappointed. But if you come at it as a different story, you'll probably enjoy it.
Among other things, given its 1981 release, Shock Treatment has been prophetic regarding so-called "Reality" television. This is not to say it CAUSED the no-talent shows like Survivor, The Bachelor(ette), and Big Brother; to the contrary, it merely PREDICTED that garbage.
Shock Treatment has good songs, a decent plot, and great acting, especially Cliff DeYoung in a double role. Jessica Harper made a good Janet, too, even though she looks NOTHING like Susan Sarandon; they even sing in different types of voice. The other actors are good in their roles and the plot, though silly, is well thought out and works if you meet it on its own level.
Watch this movie, but don't expect Rocky Horror; it's a good movie in its own right.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/16/24
Full Review
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