Rollerball Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy who’s good at rollerblading in San Francisco becomes a star in a deadly sport played in a bunch of made-up countries, and then he gets mad when the boss tries to kill him for ratings.

🍿 Rollerball: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Rollerball

In 2005, Rollerball is a popular and violent sport. Jonathan Cross, an extreme sports enthusiast, is recruited by Marcus Ridley to join a Rollerball team. The game involves players on rollerblades and motorcycles, aiming to score with a metal ball while facing brutal competition.

Rising Star and Dark Discoveries

Jonathan quickly rises to fame within the Rollerball league. However, he soon discovers that the promoter, Alexi Petrovich, manipulates the game to increase viewership by orchestrating dangerous ‘accidents’. Jonathan and his teammates, including Aurora, realize their lives are at risk as Petrovich prioritizes ratings over player safety.

Escape Attempt and Betrayal

Jonathan, Marcus, and Aurora attempt to escape Petrovich’s control, but their plans are thwarted. Marcus is killed during the escape, intensifying Jonathan’s determination to expose Petrovich’s corruption. The escape leads to an attack.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jonathan Cross (Chris Klein): A thrill-seeking athlete recruited into the dangerous sport of Rollerball, who later uncovers the corruption behind it.
• Alexis Petrovich (Jean Reno): The ruthless and vindictive promoter of Rollerball, willing to stage dangerous accidents for higher ratings.
• Marcus Ridley (LL Cool J): Jonathan’s friend and fellow Rollerball player, who assists him in uncovering Petrovich’s schemes.
• Aurora (Rebecca Romijn): A skilled Rollerball player and Jonathan’s teammate, who becomes caught up in the dangerous consequences of the sport.
• Sanjay (Naveen Andrews): Alexi Petrovich’s opportunistic assistant who helps facilitate his plans to manipulate the Rollerball games.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chinese Sports Announcer: “It’s simple, about as simple as using a name-brand condom!” – A sarcastic remark made by the Chinese Sports Announcer.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $70,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $18,990,798
• Worldwide Gross: $25,852,764

💥 Rollerball Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting it to be terrible. And, yeah, it kind of was. But in a so-bad-it’s-entertaining way. The action was ridiculous, the plot made no sense, and Chris Klein… well, he tried. Honestly, the best part was seeing Jean Reno hamming it up as the villain. There’s a scene where there’s a chase in the dark with nightvision which made my eyes hurt and I just couldn’t stop laughing. Ultimately, it was a fun watch and I will recommend to my friends who like terrible movies.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dystopian sports films”
  • “Viewers interested in action-packed visuals”
  • “People curious about remakes of cult classics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence and gore”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Loud, incoherent, and strangely devoid of thrills, *Rollerball* fails to capture the visceral energy of the original, offering only a shallow spectacle of violence and explosions. The plot is nonsensical, the characters are cardboard cutouts, and the action sequences are a jumbled mess.
• Variety: “John McTiernan’s remake crashes and burns, offering a soulless and uninspired take on the dystopian sports classic. The game itself is confusing and unexciting, the performances are wooden, and the attempts at social commentary are laughably heavy-handed.
• The New York Times: “A film so bad it’s almost impressive. *Rollerball* is a disjointed and nonsensical mess, with incoherent action sequences, wooden acting, and a complete lack of suspense or excitement. It’s a bewilderingly awful remake that fails on every level.

Audience Reactions

The absurdity of the film made it unintentionally hilarious.: Many viewers found the movie so bad that it became a source of amusement and laughter.

Jean Reno’s over-the-top performance was a highlight for some viewers.: Some people appreciated Jean Reno’s portrayal of the villain, even if it was quite outlandish.

Overall Consensus: Generally considered a terrible remake that fails to capture the spirit of the original, with poor acting, confusing action sequences, and a nonsensical plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “LL Cool J admitted in an interview that the film ‘sucked’ but he felt obligated to promote it.”
• “The US theatrical version was edited to achieve a PG-13 rating, removing splashes of blood, language, and a full-frontal nudity scene featuring Rebecca Romijn. The DVD/VHS release contained the uncut, R-rated version.”
• “The film is a remake of the 1975 movie of the same name, which is considered a cult classic.”
• “Some user reviews claim a night vision sequence was intentionally and artistically bad and very difficult to watch.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rollerball?

Rollerball (2002) is available for purchase or rental on various platforms. Check Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu for streaming options and availability. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can be found through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rollerball, you might like these similar films:

• Death Race 2000 (1975): Both films feature a violent sport used for entertainment and social control, with over-the-top action and dark humor.
• The Running Man (1987): Features a dystopian future where a deadly game is televised for entertainment, with a focus on survival and rebellion against a corrupt system.
• Gladiator (2000): Thematically explores exploitation for entertainment through brutal contests. Although set in ancient Rome, it has similarities in its focus on spectacle and survival.

🛒 Rollerball Related Products

• Rollerball (1975) [Blu-ray]: The original and much better Rollerball movie, starring James Caan. A cult classic that inspired the remake, this Blu-ray offers a superior viewing experience and showcases the film’s powerful social commentary.
• Roller Derby Queen: The True Story of Joan Weston: A biography about the greatest Roller Derby player, Joan Weston. Find out how she became the queen in this inspiring biography about sportsmanship and excellence.
• Slipknot – Iowa [CD]: Featuring Slipknot, this album embodies the aggressive energy and dark themes present in the movie. A must-have for fans of the band and the film’s soundtrack.
• Extreme Sport Protective Gear: High-quality protective gear for rollerblading and other extreme sports, including helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads. Ensure safety while engaging in high-impact activities.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Ride” – performed by Beautiful Creatures

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Rollerball: The Box Office BOMB That Landed Its Director in Jail

Ever wonder how a movie could lead a director to jail? This video breaks down the disastrous Rollerball remake and the shocking wiretapping scandal that followed. Seriously, the behind-the-scenes story is wilder than the movie itself!

What Happened to the Rollerball Remake?

Want the full story on why the Rollerball remake bombed? This video digs deep into the production issues, critical reception, and behind-the-scenes drama that plagued the film. Honestly, it’s a fascinating look at how things can go so wrong!

P!nk in Rollerball 2002

Did you know P!nk had a cameo in the Rollerball remake? This short clip showcases her appearance. I thought it was a fun little surprise!

✨ Rate