I’ve made my dislike of Kristen Stewart known to anyone who would care to listen, I’m big enough to admit when she does good work in The Runaways is strong. She still comes across as a poser – a spoiled suburban girl who desperately wants to show us her angst. The first 1/2 hour of Runaways, the biopic about Rocker Joan Jett, was a bit torturous to get through but once the movie gets going it becomes a fun movie about Girls making it in the man’s business called Rock and Roll. As Jett gets more confident as the movie progresses so does Kristen.
The movie is really about the relationship between Jett and Runaway’s lead singer Cherie Currie played by a hardly recognizable Dakota Fanning. Watching Producer Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon) turn these girls from milquetoasts to angry hard rockers was a lot of fun. Writer/Director Floria Sigismondi does a great job bringing Cheri Currie’s book to life and really captures the feel of a 70s rock band/road movie. She gets a bit side tracked with the Drugs and Sex part of Rock and Roll. The story loses its way a bit about midway through the film and the ending felt a little abrupt.
Presentation/Picture Quality
This is one of those movies that Blu-ray doesn’t enhance. The Director and Cinematographer doesn’t do anything here that makes you go, “Wow, I’m glad I’m watching this in Hi-Def.” A lot of the shots are safe and kind of boring. Most of the film takes place in small spaces. The audio is nice and clean, again nothing spectacular.
Extras
There’s nothing special about the extras there’s a full commentary track with Joan Jett, Dakota Fanning, and Kristen Stewart, Previews and 2 short featurettes that cover the history of the Runaways and the Making of the Film. I was disappointed that Joan Jett didn’t show up on the Featurettes.
Conclusion
I wouldn’t be surprised if Kristen and Dakota get some Oscar buzz for their performances. This is a good movie that everyone who loves music should watch. Not one that you have to own though and definitely not worth the Blu-ray premium.
Grades
- Movie – B
- Picture Quality – B
- Audio – B
- Extras – C
Final Grade B
EM Review by
Michelle Alexandria
Originally posted 08.07.2010