Really Surprised!

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Okay, so I am a huge Cheap Trick fan and they do the title song on this movie. Not my favorite CT song, but as a huge fan, I felt the need to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised. Having no expectations, it turns out Roadie is a fun snapshot of late 70s/early 80s rock and roll.Meatloaf is enjoyable to watch as the lovable cowboy, who goes along with a rock show as their go-to fix-it man. All for the love of a 16-year-old groupie. (Did anybody else have a problem with this? I was trying to remember if there were pedophile laws back then. Contrary to the fleshy movie poster, there is nudity in this movie.) Other fun roles are by Art Carney, Don Corlenlous, Joe Spano and of course, all the music stars. It's always great to see famous musicians in movie roles, where you don't expect them to be great actors, but more of just themselves. Roy Orbison, Alice Cooper, Debbie Harry and Hank Williams Jr. all seems to be having fun and go along with the breezy plot.The music scene at the time of this movie (1980) was at a crossroads. Mainstream rock and country were up against disco (thankfully, not in this movie), punk and new wave. The soundtrack reflects this - a perfect example is Blondie's cover of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire. I really wish Meatloaf would have had a chance to sing some of his classics. But the rest of the music is good enough to forgive some of the silly plot moments and acting. I need to try and find the soundtrack, which I hear is out of print. Does anyone know if a CD was ever released?7 out of 10 stars for a fun trip back in time when rock and roll was a little bit more honest. The life of a roadie can be interesting when you have to keep the circus moving. Roadie definitely doesn't take itself too seriously, which is what a good rock and roll movie should do.

Four years after making his directorial debut with the art-house snoozer "Welcome To L.A.", Alan Rudolph shows us what he really wanted from Hollywood was to be one of the guys. "Roadie" is a frat-boy fracas complete with barroom brawls, horny harpies, Art Carney in a souped-up wheelchair...and Meat Loaf at the wheel. Meat Loaf (playing Travis W. Redfish!) is actually a rather charming presence on the screen, and perhaps in a smaller role (in a better movie) he might indeed be ingratiating, but Zalman King's script is full of stereotypical redneck humor and helpless Meat Loaf is kept wide-eyed and moronic. Alice Cooper, Roy Orbison, Hank Williams, Jr., and Blondie all make appearances--and all look embarrassed. They certainly should, "Roadie" is one bad trip. NO STARS from ****

The first look on the cover of this picture, it looks like a good rock n roll movie. But don't let the cover fool you, or the fact that Alice Cooper and Blondie is in it. The storyline is just horrible, and so is the acting. Plain and simple: BADIt's not a movie about a roadie, its just a thin love story, so awful that you see right through it. The only good thing about this movie, is the soundtrack.Some good songs, and that is why I give 2 out of 10. If it wasn't for the music, it would of been 0 out of 10. Meat Loaf is a horrible actor(at least he was in 1980), and the girl who plays the groupie isn't even good looking! This movie was a huge disappointment for me, because it makes a lot of good promises.

This was a great movie and if you're into American pop music culture and history I think you would enjoy this movie greatly.Meatloaf stars as Travis W. Redfish, an engineering genius who ends up being a rock and roll roadie and gaining the reputation as the greatest roadie that ever lived. He ends up in this situation when the bus carrying groupie Lola Bouilliabase breaks down on a stretch of road near Travis' home town.Art Carney is wonderful as Travis' father and junkyard owner and the movie is full of cameo appearances by the likes of Debbie Harry, Roy Orbison, Alice Cooper (who Lola is in love with) and has music from a wide variety of 80's artists.I was so impressed when I saw this movie I went out and bought the soundtrack, which is a double fold out album with pictures and some background information.I also liked the movie slogan "The Bands make it rock, but the Roadies make it roll"I think "Roadie" is deserving of cult-classic status, but unfortunately I don't think very many people saw it. I have not seen it in a video store to buy or rent in over 10 years.So if you do see it, grab it! (and tell me where you found it!)