Rock-A-Doodle Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An Elvis impersonating rooster gets canceled for not making the sun rise, then a small boy turns into a cat to get him back to the farm and make the sun rise so everyone can have a good time.

🍿 Rock-A-Doodle: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Legend of Chanticleer

The film opens with a legend about Chanticleer, a rooster believed to raise the sun with his crowing. He’s a celebrated figure on his farm. One morning, a rival challenges Chanticleer, and amidst the scuffle, the sun rises without him. The animals mock him, leading Chanticleer to leave in disgrace.

Edmond’s Story

The story transitions to a live-action segment featuring Edmond, a young boy whose family is threatened by a flood. His mother is reading him a bedtime story about Chanticleer. Edmond believes that Chanticleer’s absence is causing the endless rain and flooding. He desperately calls out for the rooster.

Transformed and on a Quest

In response to Edmond’s call, the Grand Duke of Owls, the antagonist, appears and transforms Edmond into a kitten. Patou, the farm dog, rescues Edmond. Along with other farm animals like Snipes the magpie and Peepers the mouse, they embark on a quest to find Chanticleer and bring him back to restore the sun.

The City and The King

The group travels to the city, where they discover that Chanticleer has become a famous Elvis-like singer known as ‘The King.’ His manager, Pinky, and various obstacles keep them from reaching him. The city scenes highlight the commercialization of talent and the distractions of fame.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Chanticleer (Glen Campbell): A rooster with an Elvis-like persona, believed to raise the sun with his crowing, who abandons his farm after a humiliating incident.
• The Grand Duke of Owls (Christopher Plummer): The main antagonist, an owl who despises the sun and manipulates events to plunge the world into darkness.
• Edmond (Toby Ganger): A young boy who is transformed into a kitten and embarks on a quest to bring Chanticleer back and restore the sun.
• Patou (Phil Harris): A loyal hound dog and narrator who guides and protects Edmond on their journey to find Chanticleer.
• Goldie (Ellen Greene): A showgirl who becomes Chanticleer’s love interest and ultimately helps Edmond and his friends.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grand Duke: “If I kill my nephew, would it be murder or charity?” – The Grand Duke says this line while considering the ineptitude of his nephew, Hunch.
• Hunch: “Annihilation!” – Hunch shouts this phrase throughout the movie while trying to defeat the heroes, showcasing his limited vocabulary and destructive intent.
• Patou: “Well, shucks. Just imagine if one day the sun just didn’t come up, but went back down.” – Patou narrates the opening to the story, setting the premise of the rooster’s importance to sunrise.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $11,657,385
• Worldwide Gross: $11,657,385

💥 Rock-A-Doodle Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so Rock-A-Doodle isn’t exactly a cinematic masterpiece, but it holds a special place in my heart. I remember being totally mesmerized by Chanticleer as a kid, and I was certain the sun wouldn’t rise without him. The songs were catchy, even if a little cheesy, and the Grand Duke was genuinely scary! It’s a fun, nostalgic trip, especially if you grew up with it. I find myself smiling from scene to scene. Maybe it’s not perfect, but the experience took me back to my childhood and gave me a cozy feeling.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Don Bluth’s animation style”
  • “Children who enjoy musical adventures”
  • “Viewers interested in animation with a touch of Elvis Presley influence”
  • “Those who appreciate a good versus evil story with talking animals”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mildly scary scenes with the Grand Duke of Owls”
  • “Brief moments of peril for the main characters”
  • “Some thematic elements related to belief and self-confidence”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “Rock-A-Doodle has some catchy tunes and Don Bluth’s signature animation style, but the plot is muddled, and the live-action sequences feel out of place, making it a mixed bag for families.
• Variety: “While Rock-A-Doodle boasts some imaginative animation, its convoluted story and uneven pacing prevent it from reaching its full potential, ultimately making it a lesser work in Don Bluth’s filmography.
• AllMovie: “Rock-A-Doodle is a visually striking film, but its story is a bit convoluted and the characters are not as memorable as in Bluth’s earlier works. Kids may enjoy the animation, but adults might find it less engaging.

Audience Reactions

The Grand Duke of Owls is an awesome villain: Most viewers love the unique animation style and the blend of country and rock music.

The ending is weird, but who cares? It’s fun!: Many agree that while the plot might have holes, the movie offers an enjoyable and memorable experience, particularly for those who watched it as children.

Overall Consensus: Rock-A-Doodle is a mixed bag, loved by some for its nostalgia and music, and criticized by others for its plot and inconsistent animation quality. A fun but flawed animated adventure.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film features a blend of live-action and animation, similar to ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit,’ but the techniques weren’t as polished due to budget constraints.”
• “Phil Harris, the voice of Patou, passed away shortly after completing his voice work, making this his final film role.”
• “The character of Chanticleer is heavily inspired by Elvis Presley, both in appearance and musical style.”
• “A deleted scene involved the Duke baking a live baby skunk in a pie and eating it, but was cut after complaints about scenes similar to child abuse”

🖥️ How to Watch Rock-A-Doodle?

Rock-A-Doodle is currently available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable and streaming options. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also available through major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rock-A-Doodle, you might like these similar films:

• An American Tail (1986): Directed by Don Bluth and features animated animals on an adventure with a blend of heartwarming and darker themes.
• The Secret of NIMH (1982): Another Don Bluth film with a darker tone, focusing on animal characters facing a challenging quest with fantastical elements.
• Oliver & Company (1988): Features an animated animal protagonist in an urban setting, similar to Chanticleer’s journey to the city, with musical elements.
• Sing (2016): Animated animals showcasing their singing talents, trying to bring back music and happiness to their world
• The Adventures of the American Rabbit (1986): Cult classic animated movie featuring animal superheroes.

🛒 Rock-A-Doodle Related Products

• Rock-A-Doodle [Blu-ray]: Relive the rockin’ rooster adventure in high definition with enhanced visuals and audio, bringing the magic of Don Bluth’s animation to life.
• Rock-A-Doodle Movie Poster: A high-quality print featuring the original theatrical poster, perfect for displaying your love for this animated classic.
• Rock-A-Doodle OST Vinyl: Features the soundtrack on vinyl, letting you relive the songs of Chanticleer and the Grand Duke on your turntable.
• Funko Pop! Rocks: Elvis: A Funko Pop figure is a great stand-in for Chanticleer (since he resembles Elvis). A vinyl figure that captures the essence of Elvis Presley, the iconic rock ‘n’ roll singer, adding a touch of musical legend to your collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

Rock-A-Doodle features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Sun Do Shine” – performed by Glen Campbell
• “Rock-A-Doodle” – performed by T.J. Kuenster
• “Come Home” – performed by Glen Campbell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Nostalgia Critic: Rock-a-Doodle

Ever wondered if Rock-a-Doodle holds up? The Nostalgia Critic dives deep into this animated flick, and honestly, it’s a wild ride of opinions! Prepare for some laughs and maybe a few surprises as he picks it apart.

Pianos are Never Animated Correctly… (Rock-a-Doodle)

Did you ever notice how pianos are animated in movies? This video breaks down the piano animation from Rock-a-Doodle and shows what was actually played in the movie. It’s a fun way to see the effort put into the animation.

✨ Rate